DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10:
WORD OF WISDOM
Ego takes up valuable space in your brain. Never let it get too big!!
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DAILY DEVOTION
Light and Darkness
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and
the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the
darkness comprehended it not."
John 1:1-5
In bright, direct sunlight, a candle is almost invisible. We can barely see
the flickering flame as the wick burns. However, on a truly dark night, a
single candle casts a light that can be seen for up to ten miles. The
difference is not in the candle, but in the conditions around it. We live in
a society that is rushing headlong toward darkness. It often seems as though
efforts are being made to extinguish every possible light.
This is not a surprise, for it conforms to the sinful nature of man. "And
this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).
Light has an exposing and limiting influence on those who would prefer for
their deeds not to be known. The challenge we face is to refuse to be cowed
by opposition or persecution, and instead to continue to shine brightly even
if things around us become more dark.
The purpose and calling of God for us is not that our light is given to us
for our benefit, but for the benefit, instruction, and even reproof of
others. Jesus said, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a
secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which
come in may see the light" (Luke 11:33). We were made lights for a reason,
and though the darkness may not appreciate the light, it still needs it.
The darkness of the world around us makes it more important than ever that
our lights shine brightly.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Numbers 7-9New King James Version (NKJV)
Offerings of the Leaders
7 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle,
that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the
altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them. 2
Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, who were the
leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering. 3
And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and
twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox;
and they presented them before the tabernacle.
4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 5 "Accept these from them, that
they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you
shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service." 6
So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. 7 Two
carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their
service; 8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari,
according to their service, under the authority[a] of Ithamar the son of
Aaron the priest. 9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs
was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders.
10 Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was
anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. 11 For
the Lord said to Moses, "They shall offer their offering, one leader each
day, for the dedication of the altar."
12 And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son
of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah. 13 His offering was one silver
platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one
silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary,
both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 14 one
gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, and
one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; 16 one kid of the
goats as a sin offering; 17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two
oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year.
This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, presented
an offering. 19 For his offering he offered one silver platter, the weight
of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy
shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine
flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 20 one gold pan of ten shekels,
full of incense; 21 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first
year, as a burnt offering; 22 one kid of the goats as a sin offering; 23
and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male
goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of
Nethanel the son of Zuar.
24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the children of
Zebulun, presented an offering. 25 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 26 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 27 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 28 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the children of
Reuben, presented an offering. 31 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 32 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 33 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 34 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 35 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the children
of Simeon, presented an offering. 37 His offering was one silver platter,
the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl
of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them
full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 38 one gold pan of
ten shekels, full of incense; 39 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb
in its first year, as a burnt offering; 40 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 41 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel,[b] leader of the children of
Gad, presented an offering. 43 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 44 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 45 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 46 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 47 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the children of
Ephraim, presented an offering. 49 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 50 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 52 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 53 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the children of
Manasseh, presented an offering. 55 His offering was one silver platter,
the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl
of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them
full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 56 one gold pan of
ten shekels, full of incense; 57 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb
in its first year, as a burnt offering; 58 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 59 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the children of
Benjamin, presented an offering. 61 His offering was one silver platter,
the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl
of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them
full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 62 one gold pan of
ten shekels, full of incense; 63 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb
in its first year, as a burnt offering; 64 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 65 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the children
of Dan, presented an offering. 67 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 68 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 69 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 70 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 71 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, leader of the children of
Asher, presented an offering. 73 His offering was one silver platter, the
weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full
of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 74 one gold pan of ten
shekels, full of incense; 75 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in
its first year, as a burnt offering; 76 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 77 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.
78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the children of
Naphtali, presented an offering. 79 His offering was one silver platter,
the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl
of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them
full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; 80 one gold pan of
ten shekels, full of incense; 81 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb
in its first year, as a burnt offering; 82 one kid of the goats as a sin
offering; 83 and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams,
five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the
offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of
Israel, when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls,
and twelve gold pans. 85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty
shekels and each bowl seventy shekels. All the silver of the vessels weighed
two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece,
according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed
one hundred and twenty shekels. 87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were
twelve young bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs in their first year
twelve, with their grain offering, and the kids of the goats as a sin
offering twelve. 88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings
were twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, and the lambs
in their first year sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar
after it was anointed.
89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he
heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on
the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to
him.
Arrangement of the Lamps
8 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to Aaron, and say to him,
'When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of
the lampstand.'" 3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward
the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses. 4 Now this
workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its
flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had
shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
Cleansing and Dedication of the Levites
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 6 "Take the Levites from among the
children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially. 7 Thus you shall do to
them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them
shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make
themselves clean. 8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering
of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin
offering. 9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of
meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the
children of Israel. 10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and
the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites; 11 and Aaron
shall offer the Levites before the Lord like a wave offering from the
children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the Lord. 12 Then the
Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall
offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the Lord,
to make atonement for the Levites.
13 "And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then
offer them like a wave offering to the Lord. 14 Thus you shall separate the
Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.
15 After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting.
So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering. 16 For they
are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them
for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the
children of Israel. 17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel
are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in
the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. 18 I have taken the Levites
instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 And I have given
the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of
Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of
meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no
plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near
the sanctuary."
20 Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel
did to the Levites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses
concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them. 21 And the
Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented
them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them
to cleanse them. 22 After that the Levites went in to do their work in the
tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord commanded Moses
concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 "This is what pertains to the
Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform
service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; 25 and at the age of
fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more.
26 They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to
attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to
the Levites regarding their duties."
The Second Passover
9 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month
of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2
"Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On
the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its
appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep
it." 4 So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the
Passover. 5 And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first
month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the
Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.
6 Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that
they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and
Aaron that day. 7 And those men said to him, "We became defiled by a human
corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its
appointed time among the children of Israel?"
8 And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will
command concerning you."
9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of
Israel, saying: 'If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a
corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord's Passover.
11 On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it.
They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall
leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all
the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is
clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same
person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the
offering of the Lord at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
14 'And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the Lord's Passover,
he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its
ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native
of the land.'"
The Cloud and the Fire
15 Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the
tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was
above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire. 16 So it was always: the
cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever
the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of
Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the
children of Israel would pitch their tents. 18 At the command of the Lord
the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they
would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained
encamped. 19 Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the
tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not
journey. 20 So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days:
according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and
according to the command of the Lord they would journey. 21 So it was, when
the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken
up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night,
whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. 22 Whether it was two
days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the
children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was
taken up, they would journey. 23 At the command of the Lord they remained
encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the
charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Footnotes:
a.Numbers 7:8 Literally hand
b.Numbers 7:42 Spelled Reuel in 2:14
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James VersionR. Copyright C 1982 by Thomas
Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
