I’m 41 years old, and I’m still afraid to jump off the cliff.
Leaders need rescue, too. Those in positions of responsibility don’t have all the answers.
A friend of mine had a flat tire and stopped at a country gas station. The attendant patched the tire and put it back on the car. And as the fellow tightened the...
"Listen, Janet," Richard said in frustration, "this report is not acceptable. You need to redo it and have it on my desk...
The book of Numbers offers insight into work and leadership.
The book of Numbers contributes significantly to our understanding and practice of work. It shows us God’s people, Israel, struggling to work in accordance with God’s purposes in challenging times. In their struggles...
Prior to the Exodus, Israel had never been a nation. Israel began as the family of Abraham and Sarah and their descendants...
Numbers 3 through 8 focuses on the work of the priests and Levites. (The Levites are the tribe whose men serve as...
The Lord gives detailed instructions for setting up the tent of meeting, the location of his presence with Israel. The tent of...
An essential role of the people of God is bringing reconciliation and justice to scenes of conflict and abuse. Although the people...
Aaron's blessing, given by God to Moses in Numbers 6:22-27, says "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his...
Like the Levites, we should not seek a total cessation of meaningful work in old age.
In Numbers 12, Moses’ brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, try to launch a revolt against his authority. They appear to have...
Another challenge to Moses’ authority arises in Numbers 13 and 14. The Lord tells Moses to send spies into the land of...
Building on the sacrificial system described in Numbers 4 and 7, two passages in Numbers 15 and 18 describe the offering of...
A short passage in Numbers 15 commands the Israelites to make fringes or tassels on the corners of their garments, with a...
Moses’ moment of greatest failure came when the people of Israel resumed complaining, this time about food and water (Num. 20:1-5). Moses...
In Numbers 22 and 23, the protagonist is not Moses but Balaam, a man residing near the path Israel was slowly taking...
As time passes and demographics change, another new census is needed (Num. 26:1-4). A crucial purpose of this census is to begin...
Building a sustainable organization—in this case the nation of Israel—requires orderly transitions of authority. Without continuity, people become confused and fearful, work...
Although people make individual and family offerings at appointed times, there is also a sacrifice on behalf of the entire nation every...
Chapter 30 of Numbers gives an elaborate system for determining the validity of promises, oaths and vows. The basic position, however, is simple: do what you say you will do. When a man...
Unlike the rest of the tribes, the Levites were to live in towns scattered throughout the Promised Land where they could teach...
The book of Numbers shows God at work through Moses to order and organize the new nation of Israel. The first part of the book focuses on worship, which depends on the work...
