Wednesday March 8, 2023

Numbers 28, 29, and 30

Chapter 28 –

As we begin in chapter twenty-eight, we see included are examples of what the new generation needed to know as they prepared to conquer Canaan and settle down in the land. What we will see in these chapters are various offerings and festivals that had been described before, but needed to be reviewed and established to ensure that Joshua’s generation knew what God expected.

One important element of these offerings was that they needed to be made at its appointed time as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The first of these sacrifices were the daily burnt offerings, requiring one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. Next came regulations for the weekly Sabbath offerings which required and entirely new set of animals, grain, and drink offerings. The offerings required the first of every month took Israels requirements to a whole new level with the presentation of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, in addition to enhanced grain and drink offerings.

The Passover was the holy festival that came in the first month on the fourteenth day to commemorate Israel’s freedom from Egyptian bondage. The final instructions of this chapter concerned the feast of firstfruits or Festival of Weeks which occurred fifty days after Passover: this is also called Pentecost. People were to bring firstfruits to celebrate.

Chapter 29

Next the Lord gave Moses instructions for offerings associated with three more holy observances: the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Shelters. The first day of the seventh month was a special day that later became known as Rosh Hashanah (the head of the year). No daily work and the blowing of the trumpets were key features of this observance.

The Feast of Trumpets was followed by the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in Hebrew); it is still the most sacred day o the Jewish calendar. It was to be a day of confession and mourning for sin. It was also the day the high priest entered the most holy place to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant to make atonement for the people.

The remainder of the chapter deals with the week-long celebrations. The chapter concludes with the people making all the sacrifices and keeping the festivals at their appointed times. The many offerings and sacrifices were costly to the Israelites. But that in no way compares to God’s grace.

Chapter 30 –

Vows to do something or to abstain were completely voluntary. So God ws within His right to demand faithfulness from an Israelite who made one. Such a person must not break his word.

At this point in the text there is a great example of God’s kingdom agenda for the home operation here. What we see here is divine protection for the underage woman who spoke rashly, her dad got the last word. This is a loving provision. It is also a reminder that women needed the protection of the covenant. Marriage vows for both man and the woman are laid out and the conditions on which they can be broken and cannot be broken.

Tuesday March 7, 2023

Chapter 26 –

Numbers 26 and 27 give us some revelation on entering the promised land. In fact these preparations run through chapter 30:16.

By the time of Moses generation had died according to the decree of God Israel prepared to enter the promised land. In was time to take another census of a new generation counting males twenty years and more who could serve in Israel’s army. Soldiers would be needed to take the land and the census was taken on the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho the first city they would take.

The remainder of the chapter is primarily written to show the census was recorded tribe by tribe. But it also contains several interesting side notes. The first concerning Dathan and Abiram. They were two that joined with Korah’s followers in their rebellion against the Lord. The earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them.

The census continued until 601,730 fighting men had been counted this is close to the number taken four generations ago of 603,550 even with the death of the generations God had restored His people. After the census each tribe’s inheritance was determined by casting of lot.

Since the Levites had no land inheritance they were not counted because of their service to the Lord. Chapter 26 is a passage where names are important. The chapter ends with two more significant names. Moses had registered in the new census, there was not one…who had been registered by Moses and the priest Aaron when they registered the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai four decades earlier because the Lord said to them, they would die.

Chapter 27 –

As the lots were cast to determine where the tribal lands would be located, a problem came up. A man named Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh died without a son and left behind five daughters. Under Israel’s laws of inheritance the future did not look good for the girls so the approached Moses and the whole community.

They were careful to mention he did not ide under the influence of Korah but most likely died as a result of the discipline God placed on them. Their question was a legitimate one brought to Moses. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan? Since he had no son, give us property among our father’s brothers. God agreed with their dilemma He established a new rule for inheritance.

Now Israel was on the verge of crossing the Jordan to enter Canaan it was time for God to appoint a new leader to replace Moses who had been told he would not enter the promised land. God took Moses to Mount Nebo so he could look over the land that God had given the Israelites, this was the best Moses could hope for because he had struck the rock to bring forth water.

Moses did not complain for a minute he accepted the word from the Lord. In fact his plea was for God to give the Israelites a godly, qualified leader. Joshua was chosen as the one who had the Spirit in him. Moses commanded Moses to have Joshua stand before the community for commissioning. From this point on Joshua would lead them and work hand -in-hand with Eleazar the priest who would consult with the Lord for him.

Monday March 6, 2023

Reading for Monday is from Numbers 23, 24, and 25.

Chapter 23 –

Once they arrived, Balaam told Balak to build…seven altars…and prepare seven bulls and seven rams. Once completed they offered sacrifices then Balaam told Balak to stay behind while he went to the barren hill to seek the message that He might wany him to deliver. Balaam pointed out he could do nothing and would do nothing with the approval of the Lord. Balak put littles tock into what the Lord’s say was.

God did meet Balaam, essentially putting this message in his mouth Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab waiting for the prophet to respond. Balaam delivered the first of his four poetic messages, or oracles, of blessing to Israel. First, he rehearsed why he was there, he had been summoned to denounce Israel.

This must have stunned Balak he had indeed hired Balaam to curse Israel yet he was blessing Israel. Balaam reply was a simple one Shouldn’t I say exactly what the Lord pouts in my mouth? Remember he had promised Balaam a huge amount of money. Surely this would influence him.

Once again altars are built, sacrifices are made, and Balaam goes to seek the Lord who put a message in his mouth Balak wanted to know what God said and again and asks What did the Lord say?

Balaam goes on to say since Israel was brought out of Egypt, the nation had the strength of a wild ox. She was a force against the desires of those like Balak. All these efforts had failed Balak but it seems as though he was a slow learner. He takes Balaam toa third location Maybe it will be agreeable for God to put a curse on them for me. In the ancient Near East it was believed certain gods had power over geographic areas.

Chapter 24 –

This time Balaam changed his routine  y looking over Israel which was encamped below according to the plan God had carefully laid out. When he saw the encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit came upon him. He then described God’s influence on him. His eyes were opened, he heard the sayings of God, he saw a vision from the Almighty and he fell into a trance with his eyes uncovered.

Looking down on the Israel as a nomadic city of tents, he pictured Israel as a beautiful land of abundance and prosperity. The mention of Agag is odd; he is to become a future king of the Amalekites who would be executed by the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 15). It is most likely a follow up prophecy of what is to befall the Amalekites.

In the rest of the oracle, Balaam emphasized God’s strength in bringing Israel out of Egypt and defeating enemy nations. Balak finally has enough, doesn’t get what he wants and becomes furious with Balaam and sends him home without payment. Before the men departed Balaam had one last thing to say to Balak. He made reference to Christ as the descendant of Israel and the “morning star” of Revelation and he also foresaw Israels victories over the Moab, the Edomites, and the Amalekites, the curing of Israel failed.

Chapter 25 –

Balaam may have spoken blessings on Israel but his true character surfaces afterward. He is responsible for the indiscretion we see in chapter 25. Although he was unable to curse Israel for Balak he did offer advice to them on how to commit offences against the Lord.

Keep in mind this simple thought the enemies of Israel could not get to God to be unfaithful to His people but they could get His people to be unfaithful to Him. As a direct result of the maneuver God’s people began to prostitute themselves with women of Moab. The women invited them to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate the and bowed in worship to their gods.

Judgement came swiftly He said Kill each of the men who aligned themselves with Baal. Phineas was zealous for God he took a spear and went into the man’s tent and ran a spear through him and the woman with him. A plague came, twenty-four thousand Israelites died.

The Lord commanded the Israelites to attack the Midianites because they had been involved in inciting the Israelites to worship Baal.

March 5, 2023

I once owned a book I think the title was Dr. Balaam’s’ Talking Donkey but I am not certain it has been a few years. In fact forty-three years to be exact. Today we read form Numbers chapter 21 and 22.

Chapter 21 –

The next challenge for the Israelites was from the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in Negev, the desert region in the south that is now called Israel. Instead of letting the Israelites pass he attacked them and captured some of them as prisoners. As they attacked the king God gave them victory.

Moses knew he could not pass through Edom so he takes a route going straight up from the south after what had happened with Arad. Again the people complain you would think by now they had learned their lesson but no go. As a result of their complaining God sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them do that many of the Israelites died. When the people confessed their sin Moses interceded for them. The Lord told Moses to make a snake image and mount it on a pole so that anyone who had been bitten could look upon it and recover. Moses obeyed and those who followed his instructions lived.

Verses 10 – 20 list the places on the Israelites journey. It did not take for two formidable enemies to appear. The first King Sihon of the Amorites Moses as he had done with Edom, he asked permission to pass through which was also denied. But unlike Edom’s king he gathered his whole army and fought against Israel. Big mistake Israel struck back and took possession of his land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River.  

The other king Israel had to confront was King Og of Bashan who also came out against Israel with his whole army. He too lost because God had already given the land to the Israelites.

Chapter 22 –

They finally arrive near the Jordan River across from the city of Jericho. We now meet two interesting characters in the story of the exodus.

Balak was the son of Zippor the Moabite king. He had seen what had happened to the Amorites and the people were terrified of the Israelites. So the king decided to hire Balaam the son of Beor to come and curse the people of Israel so that Moab could defeat Israel. He sent messengers to Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed. Apparently, Balaam had quite a reputation for getting results. Here is something to keep in mind remember when God made His promise to Abraham ‘to make him a great nation and bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him or treats him with contempt. Balak’s plan was doomed from the start.

Balak sent elders of Moab and Midian to Balaam with fees for divination in hand. Balaam decides to call upon the Lord although the Lord is not usually responsive to a sorcerer but asks Balaam Who are these men with you. Balaam obeyed and sent his guests away empty handed; they again approached him with more numerous gifts and high-ranking officials from the king. Balaam was still uncertain but he approached God who told him to go but not to curse Israel.

While on his way the donkey and Balaam encounter God in way. 2 Peter 2:15 says “Balaam …loved the wages of wickedness.” Balaam followed God when it was convenient and did what suited him.

The encounter with the talking donkey is one of the great stories in the Bible. Finally God opens the eyes of Balaam to see the angel of the Lord who was blocking his path. God sent Balaam on to his destination in order to bless his people through Balaam.

Balak had been waiting for Balaam to show up and he was shaking in his sandals at the sight of the Israelite horde camped at the edge of his land. He warned Balak he was only going to say what God put in his mouth. Balak ignored this and hustled Balaam off to Bamoth-baal the High Places of Baal” Balak was calling on an idol hoping to make Balaam his spokesman.

Saturday March 4, 2023

From Numbers 18, 19, and 20 we learn about the duties of priests and Levites, water for cleansing, Moses hitting the rock for water, and the death of Aaron.

Chapter 18 –

The instructions for this chapter serve as an appropriate follow-up to the sin and judgement of chapter 16. The opening verse was a solemn reminder to Aaron, his sons, and his ancestral family that they carried an awesome responsibility as priests., because they would be responsible for iniquity against the sanctuary and iniquity involving the priesthood.

The Lord reminded Aaron the he had been given the Levites so he would not be overwhelmed by their duties. The Old Testament priesthood was a full-time ministry, so God provided for Aaron and his sons from the contributions…all the holy offerings of the Israelites. In the New Testament era, Paul recognized a ministry principle here that applies today. Ministers of the Gospel have a legitimate right to make a living from their work on behalf of the Gospel.

The Levites were also provided for from the offerings God sent a tenth of the Israelites offerings for the Levites to live on, since they also would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. They were them to give a tenth of the tenth to the Lord

Chapter 19 –

There were many things in the life of the Israelites that had religious symbolism, and death was high on the list. This entire chapter is devoted to rituals of cleansing of the unclean person and even the priest who officiated at the cleansing ceremony.

The priest’s ritual uncleanness is just one element that made everything about this ceremony of the red cow sacrifice different than any other God prescribed. The cow was brought outside the camp and slaughtered; this did not happen at the altar. Instead of the parts being separated they remained intact. This elaborate process continued. Someone who was clean was sent to gather the cow’s ashes and deposit them outside the camp in a ceremonially clean place. This process was necessary to cleans anyone who had come in contact with dead corpse whatever the reason. In other words, sin that that isn’t dealt with contaminates that which is holy; a good principle to remember.

Chapter 20 –

There is no indication of it in this verse, but the first month referred to here is actually the fortieth month of their wandering in the wilderness. This means that the sentence that was placed on them as God pronounced has been served. We can say this because Numbers 33:38 says Aaron died in the fortieth year, and his death is recorded in Numbers 20:22-27.

God had said no one form that generation would enter the promised land. WE have nothing recorded about what happened between the second year and the fortieth year as noting is recorded in scripture.

We do know that there were constant grumblings about the conditions they were in. Once again grumbling now there was no water for the community…they assembled against Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron go the Lord who tells Moses to speak to the rock and water will come forth however Moses in his frustration and anger strikes the rock and water comes forth.

See this in these instructions. It may initially seem like a minor breach of obedience here. Moses totally failed to obey the Lord. Instead of speaking he struck the rock. The consequences for Moses were grave – he would not be allowed to enter the promised land. The people, however, did get their water but Moses and Aron lost their opportunity.

Moses sinned but remained their leader for the rest of his life and he knew the nation needed to move toward Canaan. He had hoped for passage through Edom and sent an appeal to the king seeking permission to pass through. Note the conditions Moses put on passage. He was turned down and Moses pleaded but the king promises military action so they turned away.

At Mount Hor we see the next major event happening. Aaron and Moses both heard the announcement of Aaron’s death from the Lord. He was to die because he and Moses had rebelled against God’s command at the Waters of Meribah. Eleazar was to follow in his father’s path and received the priestly garments as he watched his father die. Thirty days of mourning followed, only Moses was still alive.

Friday March 3, 2023

The rebellion of Korah a son of Levi along with two others cause trouble among the people as we read in chapter 16 then in chapter 17 we read where Aaron’s authority as priest is challenged.

Chapter 16 –

Several of the recent studies have shown us times of rebellion by the sons of Israel. All the things God had done or them and it seems they find a means to complain.

Today it is two hundred and fifty rebels following Korah, a son of Levi. The men were prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly. Korah, being a son of Levi, was already set apart for honorable work along with the others.

They came as Miriam and Aaron did when they complained about Moses and said, Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lord’s assembly? Jealousy will destroy a person. Listening to their complaints and charges brought against Moses and Aaron one would wonder where they were when discipline came to those who disobeyed God.

Moses knew they were not sinning against him but against the Lord so he falls on his face in worship and prayer. God gave him directions and the next day for an event would take place in the entrance to the tabernacle. Directions were given to the rebellious ones for what to bring the next day.

Moses knew the reason for Korah’s changes – he wasn’t content to serve the Lord he wanted to be a priest an office given to Aaron by God.

Dathan and Abiram, two of the co-conspirators, were also prominent leaders in the assembly. In their minds the land of Egypt was the land flowing with milk and honey. They felt Moses had so deceived the people that the only way he could hide his true intention to kill everyone in the wilderness was to gouge their eyes out of the rebels who knew the real truth.

God spared the community but there would no reprieve for Korah and his followers. The community had enough sense to move away when Moses directed them to get away from Korah. Moses then announced to everyone how they would know that the Lord had called him to lead the people. If the rebels died a natural death, then Moses, was an imposter. But if the ground (opened) and (swallowed) them it would be an unmistakable sign that Korah had rebelled against God. What followed must have been a terrifying scene.

That should have solved it but the next day the entire Israelite community complained and Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord’s people. All they had seen and still complaining. Again Moses falls face down asking God to spare the people which He does. However, He did palce a plague on them for their disobedience sin always has consequences. The plague was halted but not until 14,700 more people had died.

Chapter 17 –

Since Aaron’s authority as priest had been challenged God took some action to show them who He had placed in this position. A leader from each tribe was to bring a staff forward. There would be one for each ancestral tribe, twelve staffs from all the leaders of their tribes. Each tribal name was written on the staff and Levi was written on the staff of Aaron. Moses did as instructed. When he entered the tabernacle the next day, Aarons’… staff had sprouted, formed buds, blossomed, and produced almonds. The staff was placed back in the tabernacle as a reminder and warning to any rebels in the assembly.

It seems as though the people finally got the point they were afraid to go near the Lord’s tabernacle. Moses says nothing to clam their fears maybe happy they finally revered the Lord.

Thursday March 2, 2023

Today our reading takes us to Numbers 14, 15, and Psalms 90.

Chapter 14 –

Once the scouts gave a fearful and negative report about the land the Israelites begin to rebel (again). The whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. These were tears that were being cried because of unbelief. They literally preferred death in Egypt than freedom in Canaan. They even wanted to appoint  a leader to take them back to Egypt.

Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb tried to stop their madness, the latter two tried to convince them to take the promised land. Though the Canaanites looked impressive the Lord had removed their protection.

Ince again God threatened judgement on Israel and vowed to make an even greater nation but Moses intercedes for the people and makes a strong argument to save the people. God responds favorably to Moses’ prayer of intercession. However God did say that only Caleb and Joshua would enter the promised land because of their faithfulness. They vowed to attack the land of the Canaanites and the Amalekites but were doing without the blessing of God that is they were going on their own. The result was that they were destroyed.

Chapter 15 –

Once again God proved gracious to the children in spite of themselves. God provided instructions  about making offerings to those who would enter the land that He is giving them. The next set of regulations had to do with planting crops and enjoying the harvests in the promised land, they were to set the first fruits aside for the Lord.

Then came the offerings for sin and its regulations covering disobedience to God’s commands done unintentionally. There seems to be sins of omission that the entire community could be guilty of without being aware of it, which nevertheless required atonement. Different offerings were made for different issues with the people.

To drive this home was the recorded story of the mad gathering wood on the sabbath. This was a blatant disregard of a clear command. Those who found him brought him to Moses. He was put to death by the whole camp stoning him, defiant sin is no laughing matter.

The final instructions of the chapter was appropriate after what had just happened. It was a practical way to help the Israelites to remember and obey God’s commandments.

Psalm 90 –

Because this Psalm was written by Moses it is the oldest of all Psalms. God alone is the place of divine shelter and protection for everyone who will take refuge in Him. With God the passing of a thousand years is like the passing of a day. Human beings, on the other hand, are like grass that withers.

Moses sees this passing nature of humanity that is due to sin. Death id God’s righteous judgement against man’s rebellion, all sin is visible to God. Moses prays that God will have compassion on His people and show them His faithful love.

Wednesday March 1, 2023

We begin today in chapter eleven and read through chapter twelve. Fire, quail, Miriam and Aaron rebel, and the spies are sent out.

Chapter 11 –

God delivered the Israelites from Egypt but the soon forget all that He has done for them and begin complaining they do not meat to eat saying “Who will feed us meat?” The Lord gives them meat in the form of quail intending to feed them for a month until it was coming out of their nostrils, it would literally make them sick. They said they were not rejecting the Lord only His provision but in fact they were complaining about Him.

Moses was tired, exasperated, and frustrated with the complaining he had to deal with. God rebukes Moses the all-powerful Creator can sustain Moses and He can us. Moses carries out the consecration service for the seventy elders God told him to select. As god promised, He took some of the Spirit that ws on Moses and placed the Spirit on the them.

Meat was delivered as God had promised quail started showing up and the people spent all day and night and all the next day gathering the birds.

Chapter 12 –

 Unfortunately the death of the cravers of meat in chapter eleven did not end the complaining about Moses. Things were really bad as Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married. Moses’ wife. Like Moses had placed their faith in God,

Apparently, Miriam and Aaron f=did not like the fact that Moses had married what we would call an interracial marriage and they did not like it. There may have been some jealousy because their brother was over them. Who knows for certain?

That evening God called all three to the to meet Him at the tent of the meeting a woodshed experience for the two complainers. He has them move and begins to brag on Moses. Miriam received her reward. She had leprosy for a week and was banished from the camp. Miriam condemned Moses for the color of his wife skin so she received punishment of a new white skin with leprosy.

The cross of Christ is the answer to the root of all differences.

Chapter 13 –

Numbers thirteen and fourteen are pivotal chapters in the history of God’s people. Israel was on the outskirts of the promised land God had promised them. God instructed Moses to send men to scout out the land of Canaan (He was) giving to the Israelites. The twelve spies included Joshua and Caleb, who would become two great heroes in Israel’s history. Joshua one day would succeed Moses as leader of the clan.

Moses’ instructions to the scouts included a series of questions he wanted answered.

• What was the condition of the land?
• What were the inhabitants like?
• How fortified were the cities?

They did their work and returned and reported the land was flowing with milk and honey but all was not well with the report. Only Joshua and Caleb were optimistic that they could take the land. The Israelites were ready to enter the promised but gave in to the report of the ten not heeding the words of Joshua and Caleb.