Dave Dishman

Guidance from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible

Author: Dave Dishman (Page 362 of 459)

An Angel, An Ass, and a King

March 11, 2021 / / 0 Comments

King Balak called upon the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites swarming on his border. Balak hoped to harm Israel, their women and children and fighting men. Balak attempted to manipulate his gods to work their magic.

But no magic materialized. Balaam, with the help of his ass (donkey) and an armed angel, instead blessed the children of Israel and cursed their enemies, Balak chief among them.

Not lacking determination, Balak tried again and again, but seven times Balaam blessed Israel. Like a fresh Pharaoh, Balak refused to see the true God working before his eyes, to the eventual demise of himself and his people.

Although long removed from this story, I see a bit of myself in Balak. I wonder, where might God be working around me that I refuse to see? What sin might be blinding me to a message from God directed to me? Might my desire to hold what I have keep me from seeing the goodness of the Lord right before me?

Lots to consider from this odd story about an angel, an ass and a king.

Numbers 22-25 in week 10 of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Stefano Zocca on Unsplash

Faithful Never Goes Out of Style

March 10, 2021 / / 0 Comments

If I had another kid, I’d name him Tychicus. Maybe only a middle name, but still. I love the guy.

Tychicus carried several letters for Paul, documents that later become the books of Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon & Titus. Tychicus epitomized “faithful.” Paul counted on Tychicus, for good reason.

I need people like Tychicus in my life, and I hope I prove resilient and faithful in the same way. I tend to forget how much I owe to faithful men and women like Tychicus, so I’m grateful for this reminder Paul places at the end of Colossians.

Do you have a Tychicus in your life? If so, shoot them a thank you via text or email or letter. Value them, because they value you.

(Photo is the last page of Colossians from the Codex Claromontanus).

Colossians 4 in week ten of reading the Bible cover to cover

Don’t Mess with the Living God

March 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

How a group of men, 250 in all, imagined they could stand before God and supplant Moses is unfathomable to me.

These men hiked through the dry bed of the Red Sea. These men shielded their eyes when Moses, his face too bright to look upon, sat with them. These men filled their bellies with manna and quail, and astoundingly, these men woke up every morning and checked a pillar of cloud for their marching orders.

Despite all those experiences, these men dug into their hearts and lifted out a dark, stinking prideful mess and splatted it before Moses and the Lord.

Fire consumed the 250 men, getting off easy. The Lord reserved a particularly dramatic finish for their leaders, Dathan and Abiram. A deep rumble from below, and the earth split apart and swallowed them whole.

I can’t believe the things I read in the Bible sometimes. But these stories exist for any number of lessons for me to take to heart.

One of which stands out today – don’t mess with the Living God.

Numbers 16 in week ten of reading the Bible cover to cover

Jealousy Leads to Leprosy?

March 8, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Sibling rivalries can be hell. Especially in the Bible, where in one of the first recorded acts, Cain murdered his brother, Abel.

Moses faced the preening jealousy of his own brother and sister. Miriam and Aaron stirred into their snotty attitudes a reach for power, and the resulting odor caught the attention of the Lord. God invited all three for a consultation.

Expressing his displeasure, the Lord struck Miriam with leprosy and left. Aaron then realized their sin and begged Moses to intercede. An unbelievably gracious brother, Moses prayed and the Lord responded.

What a heinous image of the damage inflicted by jealous attitudes and actions. I harm myself when I nurse my pet jealousies. I invite a wasting disease to spread through my mind, my body, my life. If unchecked, I’ll eventually appear like one who’s flesh is half-eaten away.

Lord, grant me the humility of Moses, rather than the jealousy of his siblings.

Numbers 12 in week ten of reading the Bible cover to cover

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