Numbers 29:7 speaks of a solemn assembly. God says in the King James translation: “Ye shall afflict your souls.” Have you ever afflicted your soul? What does that even mean? I looked at other transactions on Bible Gateway.com. Some say “humble yourself,” “fast and pray,” “do no work,” “deny yourself,” “be sober.” Sometimes we are calledContinue reading “Afflict Your Soul.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Wilderness Survival.
Junior-high Me owned a book entitled “WILDERNESS SURVIVAL.” I was obsessed; I wanted all the survival skills: Dig a hole, fill it with chopped-up green plants, cover it with a plastic tarp. Set a stone in the center to weigh down the plastic, leave a can beneath the stone. Why? Because as the plants dry,Continue reading “Wilderness Survival.”
Mature, Godly Leadership.
Moses was destined to rescue his people. At 40, he had to flee. At 80, God called him to meet Pharaoh, work miracles, and deliver God’s people. They crossed the Red Sea and spent forty years in the desert. Finally, it was time to enter the Promised Land—but God told Moses he would not beContinue reading “Mature, Godly Leadership.”
Prepare to Meet Your Maker.
Ever heard the line above, a threat in the movies? God came to Moses and said, “Go up to Mt. Abarim and see the Promised Land. After you have seen it, you will be gathered to your people” Numbers 27:12-13. How would you feel about that? Even at 120, it’s got to be jarring toContinue reading “Prepare to Meet Your Maker.”
Sex Equals Influence.
Promiscuity often goes hand-in-hand with having no respect for boundaries. And those who “sleep around” are also those who violate other boundaries. But what if a couple is exclusively dating only each other? Well, that is a better scenario than promiscuity. But the risk is that your hearts become deeply connected without commitments. It isContinue reading “Sex Equals Influence.”
Leadership is Hard.
Sheep are wanderers. Without reliable fencing, you need a shepherd or a sheep dog to protect the flock from itself. When God told Moses his death was approaching, Moses did not beg for a few more years. Instead, he prayed for the nation: “May the Lord … appoint a man over the people … soContinue reading “Leadership is Hard.”
Words.
Could there be anything more powerful than words? Seriously. Imagine one day without words—neither hearing them nor speaking them. And no reading and writing. Imagine school if language did not exist. How would we teach anyone anything? What if our whole existence were gestures and rudimentary signs (sign language WITHOUT words or letters). Imagine theContinue reading “Words.”
History’s Only Talking Animal
So you think you know the Bible? You’re familiar with Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, the Exodus, and the life of Jesus. But can you locate the only talking animal in the history of the world? Sure, animals talk in fables and the tales of Uncle Remus and Disney movies. But when did an animalContinue reading “History’s Only Talking Animal”
Parable: An Old Testament Dream Sequence.
Five verses in the book of Numbers tell a story I’ve always found puzzling. Snakes? Really? I spent an hour trying to explain it in a typical, straightforward way. But in a dream, it makes sense somehow… *** I’m a skeptical professor up late preparing for a debate about faith. I’m reading the Gospels, ponderingContinue reading “Parable: An Old Testament Dream Sequence.”
Snakes on a Pole.
Snakes are not high on most people’s list of beloved animals. (Imagine trying to sell a litter of baby snakes on Craigslist.) Their popularity as pets will never rival that of cats and dogs. They are not affectionate, their babies are not cute—nothing about snakes is attractive. Even non-venomous snakes are widely hated. My dadContinue reading “Snakes on a Pole.”
Household Words: 