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There's more to the law than just letters: Deuteronomy

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There’s a way of reading Scripture that leaves you informed—but unchanged, and then there’s a way of reading that confronts you, stretches you, and quietly asks: Where do I stand in this story? As we move through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, one thing becomes clear: There’s more to the Law than just laws… and more to the journey than just movement. This is not just Israel’s story. It is humanities tale. The book of Leviticus introduces a language many of us are not familiar with—holy, clean, and unclean. At first glance, it feels technical, even overwhelming. But at its core, the message is simple: “ Be holy, for I am holy. ” (Leviticus 11:44) Holiness, at its simplest, means different. God was not just giving rules—He was shaping identity. He was saying: “If I am going to dwell among you, then you cannot live like everyone else.” This “difference” was not limited to worship. It touched everything: - How they ate - How they dressed - How they handled sickness - How they treated...
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When Numbers don't add up.

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A seeker’s journey through numbers. Lately, I have found myself reading Scripture less like a student looking for answers and more like a seeker being searched. The more I read, the more I realize—this Book is not just me studying God; it is God revealing me to myself. I began with confidence. I thought I understood what it meant to be a child of God. But then I encountered a truth that unsettled me: “As He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) If that is true, then why don’t we live like it? Why do we still struggle, fear, doubt, and shrink back? Have we misunderstood who we are… or have we simply not believed it? On Being Led... In the wilderness, they were led by a cloud. Today, we are told we are led by the Spirit. But I find myself asking: Am I truly led… or do I just say I am? “They camped or traveled at the Lord’s command.” (Numbers 9:23) They moved when He moved. They stopped when He stopped. They didn’t negotiate. But me? Sometimes I obey quickly. Other times, I obey slo...
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Themes in Numbers.

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There’s More to the Book of Numbers Than Just Numbers At first glance, the Book of Numbers looks like exactly what its name suggests: numbers. It begins with a census, lists, and counts of men from each tribe. But the truth is that Numbers is about far more than counting people. Yes, the book begins with a counting, but the real lesson is this: a number only counts if it still counts AT the end. As I have been reading through the Book of Numbers, six themes have stood out to me. Interestingly, the last one is actually about numbers. 1. It Is About Laws . Numbers reminds us that laws sometimes have room for mercy. In Numbers 9:6–14, some Israelites approached Moses because they had become ceremonially unclean after touching a dead body. According to the law, they were disqualified from participating in the Passover. Instead of dismissing them, Moses went to God for direction. God gave a surprising instruction: they were to wait fourteen days and then celebrate the Passover later. This t...
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Holy, Clean, and Unclean: Leviticus

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Understanding the Language of Leviticus can be hard if you're reading fast. Three key terms pop-up as we read along: Holy, Clean, and Unclean. For many people—especially those who did not grow up in a Christian setting—this language can feel strange. Normally, human beings think in only two categories. Something is either: Good or bad, clean or dirty, and right or wrong. But in Leviticus, God introduces a different way of evaluating life. Instead of two categories, God gives three. Things can be: Holy Clean (or common) Unclean This language appears clearly in Leviticus as God teaches Israel how to live while He dwells among them. His instructions are not only about worship; they address health, homes, clothing, work, community life, and even sanitation. God was shaping a people who would live differently because He was living among them. To understand this system, we must first understand the word holy. A helpful way to think about holiness is to think of the word different(SMN). W...
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Numbers: More than just a number.

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As one delves into the Book of Numbers, it is helpful to understand why the book carries that name. The title comes from two censuses recorded in the book (Numbers 1 and Numbers 26). However, these censuses were not meant to count every individual in the nation of Israel. They followed two specific principles: 1. Only men were counted. 2. Only men of fighting age were counted. This means the census was not simply a population count. It was a military count , measuring the strength of the nation in terms of those who could defend the people, the land, and the covenant community. In many ways, this gives us insight into leadership and organization. Strength is often measured by the number of people ready to stand, serve, and carry responsibility. In ancient Israel this was measured through fighting men; in today’s church, it may be seen in those who are ready to stand firm in faith, serve faithfully, and carry responsibility within the community. The Book of Numbers contains 36 chapters....
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God Introducing Himself: A Journey Through the First Five Books of the Bible.

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One of the things that has stood out to me this year as I read through the Bible is the theme of introduction . As I move from book to book, I keep noticing that the story of Scripture begins with God introducing Himself to humanity. Then, as the story unfolds, He narrows that introduction to smaller and more specific groups of people. It is almost as if God is patiently revealing Himself step by step. Let’s walk through that journey together. 1. Genesis: God Introduces Himself to Humanity. In the book of Genesis, God introduces Himself broadly to the whole of humanity. Anyone who is willing to listen encounters Him. He speaks with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9). He warns Cain before he commits sin (Genesis 4:6–7). He receives the worship of Abel (Genesis 4:4). He continues His relationship through Seth's line (Genesis 4:26). Throughout Genesis, God reveals Himself to many individuals: Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7–13) Abraham, whom He calls into covenant (Genesis 12:1–3) Ishma...
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Church and Burials

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I am in a forum where a question was raised and I took some time to respond to it. The question was, "what is the essence of belonging to a Church?" This question was asked in the context of a burial event where "the church" could not agree with the family on fees attached to laying the remains of the beloved to rest and friends had to step in and do it however they thought best. Here is my response; Because this question was asked in the context of a burial, I will respond in three parts: 1. Who I am and why I speak as a pastor. 2. What the church is. 3. Why the church becomes involved in burial matters. 1. Who I Am and Why I Speak. My name is Japheth M. Ndonye (Map). I am a born-again Christian and a member of the body of Christ. I came to faith in 1997, grew deeply in my walk from 2004, and was called into pastoral ministry in 2012. I have served in missions and discipleship for many years — in high schools, colleges, and local churches. I have also served as a y...
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