Archive | February 2025

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 59

Feb28
Day 59.  Reading Numbers 11 – 13. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 11.

Complaints by the PEOPLE and by MOSES

With the Tabernacle finished, the priests consecrated and dedicated, and the camp organized, it was finally time to set out for the Promised Land.  It’s been over a year, but the slaves have become a nation with organization, a law system, an army, and priestly, godly leaders.  So, the Ark, carried by the Kohathites starts out.

  • 1) There should be singing – “We are bound for the promised land.” – but instead the people “complain in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortune.”  Say, what??  What misfortune?

God heard it and was angered.  He sent some of His fire among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.  “Moses! Moses! HELP!”  cried the people.  Moses prayed and the fire died down.

  • 2) THEN, the “rabble among them” had a strong craving.  (Remember those non-Jewish slaves who came out of Egypt with Israel? Exodus 12:38)  THEY complained, which caused Israel to weep too.  “Oh that we had MEAT to eat!  Remember the free fish we ate in Egypt? And the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and the garlic? OH! The garlic!!  But now our strength is dried up, and there is NOTHING AT ALL BUT THIS MANNA to look at!!!”  And each one stood at the door of his tent and wept out loud.

The Lord was angered and Moses was displeased (and complained to God).

  • 3) “Why have You dealt ill with Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You lay the burden of all this people on Me? DID I CONCEIVE ALL THE PEOPLE? DID I GIVE THEM BIRTH THAT YOU SHOULD SAY TO ME, “Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child?  WHERE AM I TO GET MEAT TO GIVE TO ALL THIS PEOPLE?  I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.  If You will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in Your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.“

Whoa, Moses!  Are you frustrated or what? 

Notice that God FIRST addresses the heart of His servant Moses.  He tells him to gather the 70 elders of the people and bring them to the Tabernacle. God will put some of His Spirit on them, so they can bear the burden of the people with Moses. 

Then God addresses the complaints of the people. They are to consecrate themselves, for THEY WILL EAT MEAT the next day.  In fact they will eat meat for 30 days, so much that they will get sick of it.

It’s interesting that Moses asks God HOW He will do it. (Boy, Moses really is shaken.)  He asks God if all the flocks and herds are to be slaughtered, and would that be enough for them all to eat meat for a month?  

  • (This makes me wonder why SOME of the animals are not killed for food along with the manna.  Certainly a lot were sacrificed, and some of that meat was for the priests to eat. Hmmm.)  Perhaps the people – like me – just like to complain.

Moses obeyed and the seventy elders received a bit of the Spirit God had put on Moses.

And God sent a quail-carrying wind from the sea. The birds flew in at 3-feet off the ground. The people caught them all day, all night, and all the next day. The LEAST amount of birds gathered per person was 60-70 BUSHELS (small laundry baskets!).  They spread them out for themselves around the camp. (To count or to dry?) 

And they began eating, and eating, and while the meat was still between their teeth, the LORD “struct down the people with a very great plague.”  

And there they buried all those dead people. Then they moved out from that “Graves of Craving” place.

Numbers 12.

Complaints by MIRIAM and AARON

Okay, this seems strange. Moses married a Cushite woman. Wasn’t he married to Zipporah, a Midianite woman?  The term “Cushite” COULD HAVE referred to Zipporah, but it’s most likely Moses remarried after Zipporah died. Cush is a section of southern Egypt. She might have been among the “mixed multitude” in the camp.  

Regardless of where she came from, Moses’ older siblings (Miriam and Aaron) didn’t like it.  Could they have become (as Levites) “purists” or “racists?”  Miriam, the oldest, probably got Aaron to agree and they went to Moses, questioning – not his marriage – but his special relationship with God. 

  • 4) “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses?  Hasn’t He not spoken through US as well?”

Moses – ” meeker than all the people on earth” (Really, Moses???) – did not answer them.  BUT the LORD heard what the two siblings said, and called all three of them to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where He appeared in a pillar of cloud.

“You, Aaron and Miriam, step forward.” (They did.) “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision: I speak with him in a dream. NOT SO WITH MY SERVANT MOSES. He is faithful in all my house. WITH HIM I SPEAK MOUTH TO MOUTH, CLEARLY, AND NOT IN RIDDLES, AND HE BEHOLDS THE FORM OF THE LORD. Why then were YOU not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

And the LORD was angry.  When the pillar lifted, OH NO! Miriam was leprous like snow!

Aaron saw her and cried out to Moses, “Oh, please do not punish us, because we have done foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away!”  Yikes!!

And Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her! PLEASE!

“Nope,” God said. “Should she not be ASHAMED?  Let her be shut outside the camp seven days. After that she may be brought in again.“

So, THE ENTIRE CAMP paused their journey to wait for Miriam. After seven days and she was okayed to come back, they set out and camped in the Desert of Paran. (Just south of Canaan)

Numbers 13.

Complaints by the SPIES.

God told Moses to send out 12 men to “spy out the land of Canaan,” hopefully to bring back a report of what an amazing land they were to inherit. Lush with food, a land of “milk and honey.”  (That spoke of green pastures full of cows (milk) and orchards of fruits pollinized by bees, producing honey.)

Moses obeyed and sent out a man from each tribe.  The two we know, are Caleb from the tribe of Judah, and Joshua from the tribe of Ephraim (1/2 of Joseph).  He charged them to —

  • “Go up into the Negev (south) and the Hill Country, and see what the land is, 
  • whether the people are strong or weak,
  • whether they are few or many, 
  • whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, 
  • whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds,
  • whether the land is rich or poor, 
  • whether there are trees in it or not.
  • Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.”

Forty long days later, the twelve spies returned.  There were two very different reports.

  • “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. (a huge cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry)
  • However … the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large, and besides, WE SAW ANAK THERE (Giants).  The Amalekites dwell there. The Hittites and Jebusites and Amorites, and Canaanites!!
  • No matter, Let us go up at once and occupy it for we are well able to overcome it!”
  • 5) No, We are NOT able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we. The land, through which we have gone to spy is a land that devours its in habitants, and all the people that we saw are of great height. They are GIANTS, and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers!”

So, which will it be?

Will Israel go in to conquer this good land, like Joshua and Caleb reported?

Or … will Israel turn back out of fear for the pagan peoples and especially the giants, like the other ten spies said?

WE WILL SEE IN TOMORROW’S STUDY.

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  • O, LORD, I confess I have a cranky, complaining heart. Please forgive and cleanse me. Let me see and acknowledge the wonderful love and care you show me every day! I do not need to be afraid for my strength is in YOU, in your joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 58

Feb27
Day 58.  Reading Numbers 8 – 10. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 8.

The LORD details more blessings and requirements for the Levites, that special tribe selected as God’s
“first born” to work specifically in and with the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). A special  one-time “cleansing” ceremony would set them apart from the rest of Israel for special work. It involved shaving their entire body, sprinkling with holy water and then special sacrifices and offerings were made, burnt offerings for their atonement. Then Moses would set THEM before the LORD as a wave offering.

Levites would begin their work of service and carrying at age 25 and continue until age 50. Then they would retire. However they would still minister to the LORD by keeping guard.

Numbers 9.

Now Israel was to celebrate the second Passover Remembrance/Celebration since the original time when they escaped from Egypt. All their ceremonial cleansing, getting rid of leaven, and eating the lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and questions to be asked were the same, but there was no blood on the door posts (tent flaps?) or a rush to depart.  It would truly be a time of gratitude for what God had done for them.

If for some reason, some of the people were “unclean” at that time (such as their example of touching a dead body). they would wait one month and then celebrate the Passover. But it MUST happen then.

Next comes the reminder of the presence of God with them in the form of a cloud by day and a fire by night, hovering over the Tabernacle. As long as it stayed there, they were to remain camped. But when the “Presence” rose and moved, Israel was to pack up camp and go.

Numbers 10.

For a great multitude such as theirs, spread out in a camp, (and no texting) the signal to move out, or to call soldiers to war, or to begin the celebration of Feast Days, would be the blast/blasts of a trumpet/trumpets. There would be two silver trumpets blown in different ways for different signals.

Next, Moses shows the clockwise spiral order for Israel to break camp and leave.  

  • First, the standard of the camp of Judah, with Issachar and Zebulun would start out.
  • Next the Gershonites and Merarites carrying the parts of the Tabernacle’s structure would set out.
  • Then the southern company headed by Reuben, with Simeon and Gad, would leave
  • Following them, the Kohathites carrying on their shoulders all the holy things  (In this way the Tabernacle tent and courtyard could be set up and ready at the next camping place before the holy furnishings arrived
  • After these, the western company led by Ephraim set out, with Manasseh and Benjamin.
  • Finally, the rear guard on the northern side of the camp would leave, led by Dan with the tribes of Asher and Naphtali.

This was the order every time they left camp.

NOTE: Verse 33, says that the Ark of the Covenant would actually be at the head of the line, leading them to the next resting place.

In reverse, this was the way it would be set up at a new place. Judah’s three, Gershon & Merari with the Tabernacle and setting it up, Reuben’s three on the south side, then Kohath bringing in the holy things for the Tabernacle. After that the three on the Western side led by Ephraim, and finally, Dan’s three, sealing up the circle on the Northern side.

Everything done decently and in order.

  • Thank You, LORD, that You show the way we should go and how to walk in it. Thank You for making provision for circumstances out of our control. And Thank You for giving a lifting of labor for ones who have faithfully served You all their lives. You are a kind, forgiving, and loving God. I thank and worship You.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 57

Feb26
Day 57.  Reading Numbers 7. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 7.

Israel’s offerings at the Tabernacle’s Consecration.

Wow!  Where did they get all that stuff?

The chiefs of Israel from each tribe approached and brought their offerings before the LORD, for the service of the Levites.  They brought six wagons and twelve oxen to pull them. 

Two were given to the Levite family of Gershon. (Remember this family was responsible for carrying the fabrics of the Tabernacle and Tabernacle courtyard when they moved from place to place.)

Four were give to the Levite family of Merari. (They were responsible for carrying all the pillars, posts, rails, bases, etc. of the Tabernacle and courtyard when they moved.)

NO WAGONS & OXEN were given to the Kohathites.  They were responsible for carrying the holy furnishings of The Tabernacle and courtyard.  THEY carried these items on their shoulders, using poles threaded through rings on each item… never touching them, for they were holy.

Next, each tribe brought an offering for the use of the Levites and their families. Here is what EACH tribe brought (one per day for twelve days):

  • 1 silver plate weighing 130 shekels
  • 1 silver basin of 70 shekels (both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering)
  • 1 golden dish of 10 shekels (filled with incense)  
  • 1 bull
  • 1 ram
  • 1 male lamb (these all were for burnt offerings)
  • 1 male goat (for a sin offering)
  • 2 oxen
  • 5 more rams
  • 5 more male goats
  • 5 more male lambs (these all were for peace offerings)

EACH TRIBE (12) offered these things for the dedication of the Tabernacle & altar (YOU do the math!) 

Then, when Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak to the LORD, he heard “the voice” speaking to him from the Mercy Seat that was on the Ark of the Covenant, between the two cherubim, AND IT SPOKE TO HIM…..

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What the LORD said we will discover tomorrow in chapter 8.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 56

Feb25
Day 56.  Reading Numbers 5 – 6. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 5.

Uncleanness in the camp.

God cannot say enough about His holiness and the people’s (our) uncleanness. Anyone unclean through leprosy, a discharge, or has touched the dead must be put outside the camp so that they do not “defile the camp in which the LORD dwells.”

Any sin a man or woman commits must be dealt with once they realize their guilt. First, confession, then full restitution, and an atonement offering.

(The following one seems one-sided, but consider the culture of the time, in which a man sometimes has multiple wives to build his family.)  The wife (or each one) must remain faithful to him.

If the husband “thinks” she has cheated on him, he institutes a ceremony to prove if 1) she is indeed guilty or 2) she is innocent. It’s a bit weird and involves her bringing a grain offering and the priest taking holy water (with dust from the Tabernacle floor), and after hearing her vow her innocence (or guilt), making her drink it. The results are proof.  Nothing = innocence. Some gross physical results of poison in her system, OR a pregnancy that is aborted = guilt. She will be a curse among her people.

Numbers 6.

This chapter goes over the procedures involving a Nazirite Vow. When a man or woman makes such a vow (a woman with her husband’s or father’s permission), he/she separates themself to the LORD. They will not drink wine or strong drink, vinegar or juice made from grapes, and not eat grapes, fresh or dried (raisins), or even the skins or seeds.  They will also not cut their hair or go near a dead body (not even of a close relative). They will be considered holy to the LORD all the time of the vow.

A Nazirite Vow can be for a lifetime or as little as a month.  If the vow is accidentally broken, the person should shave their head and begin again.  At the end of the temporary time, specific offerings and gifts to the LORD were to be brought to the priests. They would shave their heads, and the hair put on the fire of the peace offering.

This chapter closes with the familiar blessing of Aaron on the people of Israel.

  • The LORD bless you and keep you: the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Amen.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 54 & 55

Feb24

Days 54 & 55.  Reading Numbers 1 – 2 and Numbers 3 – 4 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 1.

NUMBERS is the name of the book, and NUMBERS is the first thing in it that the LORD requires of Moses. He was instructed to count all the men, age 20 and upward from each tribe in all Israel who were able to go to war. It was a “draft tally” so to speak.  When the numbers are listed, it is extraordinary! There was a total of 603,550 men fit for war.  The largest tribe was Judah with 74,600 war-ready men.  WOW.

Twelve tribes are listed by their totals, including Ephraim and Manasseh (who are really two halves of the tribe of Joseph). Levi is excluded because that tribe was appointed by God to care for the tabernacle, all its furnishings, and all that belonged to it.  They were to dismantle, carry, and set it up each time Israel moved. They were also to camp around it in protection-mode at the center of the cross-shaped camp formation the LORD would show Moses.

Numbers 2.

Next, God gave Moses MORE numbers and the placement of the tribes EACH and EVERY time they camped.

The Tabernacle first was set up so the gate of the courtyard, and the door to the Tabernacle tent was facing East.  (This made the people stand and worship the LORD with their backs to the rising sun.  No temptation was given to worship that bright orb, as they had in Egypt, and as it was in Canaan.)

The three families of Levites (Kohath, Gershon, and Merari) camped immediately around the Tabernacle.

On the EAST side of the camp placement (in front of the entrance to the courtyard) was leader tribe, Judah, with its standard (flag). Issachar and  Zebulun  with their individual banners, camped in their groups with Judah.  When it was time to break camp and move out, Judah and company would lead the march. 

Next on the SOUTH side, the tribe of (first born) Reuben was the leader with its standard. Simeon and Gad, with their banners camped with them.

On the WEST side (back of the Tabernacle) was the tribe of Ephraim with its standard. Manasseh and Benjamin (and banners) were with that tribe.

And the NORTH side leader tribe was Dan and it’s standard, with Asher and Naphtali and their two banners.  They were the “rear guard” of the entire camp.  

Try to picture it.  After the Levites took down the Tabernacle court and tent, and covered all the furniture, and were ready,  JUDAH’s company would lead out. Next would be REUBEN and company. The LEVITES, carrying the Tabernacle components, would follow in the middle of the line.  Then in an uncoiling spiral EPHRAIM and company would follow it.  Finally as the circle uncurled, DAN and company brought up the rear. The first group of three tribes and the last group of three tribes were the largest in numbers. 

(So, that’s what they did.  Can you imagine the scramble as the tribes and families all moved into the prescribed order, forming a cross around the Presence of God?)

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NOTE:  It’s been suggested that the tribes’ Standards and banners (Numbers 2:2) were of specific colors with embroidered images representing their individual tribes.  Sky blue with a lion for Judah, red with mandrakes for Rueben, black with an ox for Ephraim, and sapphire blue with a serpent for Dan. (the other tribes are listed as well)

Where do these suggestions come from?  Some go by the colors of the gemstones on the High Priest’s ephod, which were listed in birth order and represented each of the tribes. (Exodus 28:17-21).  The images perhaps came from Jacob’s prophecy/blessing of each of the sons from Genesis 49:2-27. 

See: Stones & Flags of the Tribes of Israel 

…

Numbers 3.

Moses now takes another census, not for battle-worthy men, but for “holy” men to serve Him. These were the Levites (Aaron & Moses were of this tribe). After their stand for the LORD when the people worshiped the golden calf, God appointed them holy (separate) for Himself. Now, their duty was to…

  • minister to Aaron, the high priest
  • keep guard over Aaron
  • guard over the priesthood (Aaron & sons)I
  • minister at the Tabernacle
  • guard all the furnishings of the Tabernacle
  • transport all the items of the Tabernacle when they moved
  • keep guard over the people of Israel.

The three families of Levites were counted as:  Gershon = 7,500, Kohath = 8,500, and Merari – 6,200.

  • The Gershonites were to camp behind the Tabernacle on the WEST side.  Their duties were to guard and care for the Tabernacle tent with its coverings, the screen for entrance, the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court with their cords.
  • The Kohathites were to camp on the SOUTH side of the Tabernacle. Their guard duty involved the Ark, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Alters, the screen to the Tabernacle itself and all utensils. involved with these. (Aaron and his oldest living son, Eleazar were to have oversight of those who guarded the Tabernacle.
  • The Merari clan were to camp on the NORTH side of the Tabernacle.  Their appointed guard duty involved the frames of the Tabernacle, the bars, pillars, basis and accessories connected with these, also the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs and cords. 
  • So, WHO was camped in front of the Tabernacle on the EAST side?  Moses, Aaron, and his sons guarded the Tabernacle itself, keeping any of the people of Israel from coming near and being put to death. 

In the census, they counted all the Levites, one-month and upward just 22,000

All the firstborn sons of Israel, that the Levites were to represent numbered 22,273.  So a 5-shekel  redemption for each of those was paid to the Levites from the congregation.

Numbers 4. 

Moses then lists specific duties of the Kohathites, all who were from 30-50 years old, able to serve. when it came time to pack up and move the camp, FIRST, Aaron and his sons were to go inside the tent, take down the veil separating the two rooms, and without looking, drape it over the Ark of the Covenant. Next over it was a layer of goatskin, then over it all, a  cloth of blue. 

For the Table of Showbread, a covering of blue was draped, then the utensils on top of the blue cloth. Next came a scarlet cloth, then a covering of goatskin.

For the Lampstand, a blue cloth was draped over it and then a layer of goatskins. Then they were to take the Lampstand with all the utensils and lay them on the carrying frame. 

For the Alter of Incense, a blue cloth, and a covering of goatskins. (They took away the ashes.) All the vessels of service were put in a cloth of blue, covered with goatskin and put in a carrying frame.

For the Bronze Altar outside, first they took away the ashes, then spread a purple cloth over it. All the utensils for the altar were put on the purple cloth, then it all was covered with goatskins.

THEN, the sons of Kohath were to carry the furnishings of the Tabernacle BY THE POLES, MAKING SURE TO NEVER TOUCH THE HOLY THINGS, lest they die.   Eleazar the oldest of Aaron’s sons, was in charge of the holy oil for the Lampstand, and the fragrant incense for the Altar of Incense, and the anointing oil.

Then the LORD said, “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites. And… they shall never go in and LOOK at the holy things, even for a moment, lest they die.”

The Gershonites were to carry all the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle tent, plus the hangings of the court and the cords.

The sons of Merari were to carry all the frames, bars, pillars and bases of the Tabernacle, and the bars, pillars, bases and pegs of the courtyard, along with all their equipment and their accessories.

Each one of these Levites from 30-50 years old had a task of serving or carrying.

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  • Lord, thank You that in your church today, you have given each one of us particular and specific gifts of service. Like the Kohathites who carried the Ark of the Covenant, to the Merarites who carried pegs that held up the courtyard hangings, each Levite, and each of us has a task of serving.  Lord, help me to be content, joyful, and humble in serving YOU in any way You choose.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 53

Feb22
Day 53.  Reading Leviticus 26 – 27. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 26.

IF-THEN declarations from the LORD to Israel, for blessing and cursing.

IF you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, THEN …

  • I will give you rain in their season
  • the land shall yield its increase
  • the trees, grain, and grapes shall yield their fruit
  • you shall eat bread to the full
  • you shall dwell in the land securely
  • I will give peace in the land
  • I will remove harmful beasts
  • the sword shall not go through your land
  • your enemies will flee from you
  • I will make YOU fruitful and multiply you
  • I will make my dwelling place among you
  • I will walk among you and be your God. I am the LORD your God.

BUT IF you will not listen to me and not do my commandments, and if your soul abhors my rules and you break my covenant, THEN….

  • I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consumes the eyes and makes the heart ache
  • you shall sow seed in vain for your enemies will eat it
  • those who hate you will rule over you and pursue you
  • I will discipline you sevenfold for your sin
  • I will break the pride of your power
  • I will make the heavens like iron and the earth like bronze
  • your land will not yield its increase nor the trees their fruit
  • I will let lose wild beasts against you that will bereave you of your children and livestock
  • I will bring the sword on you and execute vengeance and send pestilence
  • I will break your supply of bread and you will eat the flesh of your children
  • I will destroy your high places and altars and cast YOUR dead bodies on the dead bodies of your idols
  • I will abhor you.
  • I will lay your cities waste and devastate the land
  • I will scatter you among the nations

“Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies’ hand; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its Sabbaths. It will have the rest that it did not have on your Sabbaths when you were dwelling in it.”

BUT IF they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in the treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me…. AND IF their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, THEN… 

  • I will remember my covenant with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham
  • I will remember the land
  • When they are in the land of the enemies … I will not spurn them 
  • I will not abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them
  • I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers.

Leviticus 27 (the last chapter)

Here are lists of how to value “special vow” offerings and also tithes pledged or given to the LORD (people of different ages for service, and animals and land for support of the Levites.)

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Tomorrow we begin Numbers. (You mathematicians will love this book!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 52

Feb21
Day 52.  Reading Leviticus 24 – 25. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 24.

Oil & Bread in the Tabernacle.

The priests must replenish the Tabernacle Lampstand oil and the Table bread regularly.  Pure oil from beaten olives is used to light the lamps before the LORD every morning. The Shewbread is to be made of fine flour, twelve loaves, put into two piles of six on the Table in the Holy Place each Sabbath. Pure frankincense is to be put with each pile of six.

An incident of Blasphemy, what to do?

Two men fought in the camp. One of them (whose father was an Egyptian) blasphemed God’s Name.  The shocked people brought him to Moses who held him in custody until he could inquire of God. The LORD’s instructions were to…

  • bring the man outside the camp
  • gather all who had heard him blaspheme as witnesses;
  • have them lay their hands on his head
  • then let the congregation stone him to death.

“Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the Name of the Lord shall surely be put to death.”

An eye for an eye – just retribution.

Whoever murders a person must also be killed. If anyone injures a neighbor, as HE has done to that one, so it shall be done to HIM. (Not more and not less)  An eye for an eye, fracture for fracture, tooth for tooth. If anyone kills a neighbor’s animal, he must make equal compensation. 

Leviticus 25.

Sabbath and Jubilee (50th) years.

As the people and animals rested every seventh day through the year, they AND the land were to rest every seventh year.  No crops were to be sown or vines pruned. The crops produced were left to fall to the ground (and/or for the poor).  

The same for the 50th year.  Of course that meant two years in a row (49th – 7×7 – and 50th) there would be no harvest.  God promised them if they would be faithful to let the land have its Sabbath rest, that HE would make a huge bumper crop on the 6th and 48th years. They would have enough to last until the harvest of the 8th and 51st year.  

“Would they trust God?  It turns out no.  Did they become greedy?  Yes.  And when God finally sent them off into captivity for 70 years, one reason He gave was to give the land its Sabbath rest, which they had neglected. “The land is MINE,” said the LORD.  If you don’t let it rest, it will be taken from you. 

NOTE: agriculturally, it was good for the land. Needed nutrients would be replenished in the resting years.

Jubilee Year was also a time to reset indebtedness.  Land that had been sold to get one out of debt, was returned to the original owner that year. (Remember each tribe was allotted certain land in Canaan.)  If a person had sold himself into servitude because of debt, he would be freed that year.  The price of the land or servant would be calculated according to how many years were left before Jubilee.  All’s fair.

Because the Levites had the job of Tabernacle and Temple upkeep and service, they were not given a portion of land in Canaan.  However they were given cities to live in with small fields around them for veggies & fruit to eat. 

An Israelite that is sold to a “sojourner or foreigner” because of debt, may been redeemed (bought back) by a wealthy relative in Israel.  (Think of Boaz with Naomi and Ruth.)  All are released on Jubilee year.

“For it is to me,” says the LORD, “that the people of Israel are servants.  They are MY servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 51

Feb20
Day 51.  Reading Leviticus 22 – 23. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 22.

This chapter covers more of the instructions to priests and how they are to be kept or made holy in God’s sight and service. They are the ones standing between Him and the people.  No service or even eating of the holy sacrifices can happen, if the priests are unclean in any way, without first washing and/or waiting as prescribed by God’s law. 

Emphasis is given again on the insistence of purity in the animals sacrificed to the LORD. They MUST be without blemish, defect, mutilation, or sore. In a word, perfect. This points long term to the perfect, sinless sacrifice of the Son of God for sin – once for ALL.

God repeats “I am the LORD” and “I am the LORD who sanctifies you” many times in these chapters. HE is the reason that His representatives, the priests, must always be clean before Him and the people.  Israel serves a holy God, and He wants them to be holy as well. He tells them how and who will sanctify them. Himself, if they will obey Him

Leviticus 23,

God, through Moses, reminds the people of the feasts or festivals He has appointed for them throughout the year. They are to keep them faithfully, for they will remind them of how their Holy God acted on their part.

The Sabbath or seventh day of every week is to be kept holy to the LORD. No work is allowed on that day.

Passover, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, begins the year. No leaven is allowed anywhere in their homes for that week. It is to remind the people of how God brought them out of slavery.

The Feast of First Fruits was to remind them of how God brought them into the Promised Land, as He said.

The Feast of Weeks, or later called the Feast of Pentecost (50, because it happened 50days/seven weeks after Passover) celebrated the first harvest of grain in the new land.

The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) was to begin the seventh (Sabbath) month.

On the tenth day of the seventh month was the Day of Atonement, in which Israel was to fast and mourn and confess their sin. It was a day of solemn rest to remember their sin.

The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles followed the solemn day of fasting and confession. It was a joyful festival to remember the days/years they lived in “booths” or “tents” in the wilderness. For that week, the people would live in a temporary shelter made of “splendid trees” and palm leaves they would construct outdoors.

These all were special feasts (memorials, holy convocations) appointed by God for presenting food offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings to the LORD.

(These were besides the LORD’s Sabbaths, and besides their gifts and vow offerings and freewill offerings they would bring to Him.)

These all were holy days (holidays) to remember what their God had done for them.  

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NOTE: We have Palm Sunday, Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving and Christmas in which WE can remember and celebrate all that God has done for us. I hope to take special time and thought for my LORD as these “modern” holy-days come around this year.  Will you join me?

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 50

Feb19
Day 50.  Reading Leviticus 19 – 21. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 19.

God’s ultimate holiness.

Moses is reminded by God to tell Israel that since HE is holy, THEY are also to be holy. Some of the ten commandments are mentioned (4, 5, 2, 1), about honoring parents, keeping Sabbaths, and never serving or making idols, because HE is the LORD their God. 

Directions to love others (the poor, handicapped, or sojourner).

More of the ten commandments are reiterated (8, 9, 3), about not stealing, not doing/speaking injustice or slander in court, and not using the Name of the LORD in vain.   Instead Israel is to consider the poor and help them out. They are never to abuse the handicapped (deaf or blind).  In a word, they were to love their neighbor as themselves.

They were also to keep purity foremost. No animal interbreeding and no hybrid crop planting.  They were also to stay way clear of omens and fortunetellers, and never turn to mediums or necromancers for direction. ALWAYS, they were to seek the LORD their God. 

Respect for the elderly was charged. They were not to cheat in weights and measurements.  All these rules were to reflect God’s holiness, and His holiness mirrored in them.

Leviticus 20.

STRICTLY FORBIDDEN was child sacrifice to idols. They were never to do it, and to kill one who does.  If they don’t assure capital punishment on such a sin, then God will set His face against him, his clan and will cut him off.

Those who committed adultery or any other sexual perversion were likewise to be put to death. 

God says through Moses….

“You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My rules to do them; that the land where I am bringing you to live MAY NOT VOMIT YOU OUT. And you shall not walk in the customs of the nations that I am driving out before you, for they did all theses things … and therefore I DETESTED THEM.”

“You shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” 

Leviticus 21.

Holiness and purity of the priests.

Moses was to tell Aaron and the priests to follow that they were to remain clean. No touching dead bodies except for the closest of relatives. No weird haircuts or styles. No sexual immorality.  None of the priests’ offspring who is deformed, mutilated, or blemished can serve God inside the Tabernacle. 

Why? For God is the LORD who sanctifies the High Priest. and God is holy.  Moses told Aaron and his sons and all the people theses things.

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 49

Feb18
Day 49.  Reading Leviticus 16 – 18. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 16.

The Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur.

From the way this chapter begins, it’s possible that the horrendous sin that caused the death of Aaron’s two oldest sons by the LORD, was their attempting to come into the Most Holy Place.  Perhaps they had tried to bring “unauthorized fire” (which would be ANY fire/incense other than what the High Priests, brough once per year).

God set up VERY strict laws about anyone coming into the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was, which represented God’s throne on earth.

  • Once per year on the tenth day of the seventh month.
  • The High Priest clothed in special all-linen “holy” garments.
  • Bringing a burning censer with holy incense which made a cloud obscuring the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat. 
  • Also bringing the blood of the sacrificial bull (for the High Priest’s atonement) and then the sacrificial goat (atonement for the people). 
  • Sprinkling the bull’s blood, then the goat’s blood on and in front of the Mercy Seat seven times.

Outside the Tent, the High Priest would sprinkle the bull’s and goat’s blood on the Bronze Alter.  Then he would take the second, live, goat and lay his hands on its head. After confessing ALL the people’s iniquities, transgressions, and sins, he would send the goat away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who was waiting to do it.  This was the “scapegoat.”  It pictured the total removing of sin from the camp.

All this would be done once per year, a statute forever for Israel. 

Besides the Passover Lamb and all that belonged to that ceremony, the Day of Atonement with the one-time entrance through the veil into the Holy of Holies, AND the Scapegoat, represented the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins.  God looked on Him on the cross – bearing all the sin of any who would believe in Him – and “passed over” that person for the death they deserved.  He accepted Jesus’ blood and death INSTEAD of the sinners’.

Meanwhile, for the people, the Day of Atonement would be a “Sabbath Day” of solemn rest. They would do no work, and would fast the entire day, mourning and confessing their sin. 

Leviticus 17.

Strictly forbidden is sacrificing any animal outside the camp and not bringing its blood to the entrance of the Tabernacle as a gift for the LORD.  Otherwise it would be “pagan worship” and bring bloodguilt on the person.  Blood and fat are always to be burned on the Bronze Altar.

They shall no more make sacrifices to goat demons (Azazel), after whom they “whored.”

God reminded the people again that they were NOT TO EAT BLOOD. The blood of a creature contains its LIFE, and it is ONLY for atonement to the LORD on the altar.  If one is out hunting in the field and kills an animal to eat it, the blood shall be drained out and covered with earth. 

Leviticus 18.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them,

  • “I am the LORD your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you lived,
  • and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you.
  • You shall not walk in their statutes.
  • You shall follow My rules and keep My statutes and walk in them.
  • I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
  • You shall therefore keep My statutes and My rules;
  • if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.”

The LORD then gives Moses a long list of how the people will keep morally and sexually pure, taking for their spouses only ONE woman or ONE man, as God created them in the beginning. 

Incest, bigamy, bestiality, and homosexuality were strictly forbidden.  

“For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people.  So keep My charge NEVER to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.”