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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 80

Mar21
Day 80.  Reading Deuteronomy 30 – 31. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 30.

This chapter brings good news. 

IF Israel sins against the LORD by not loving and obeying Him, and afterwards returns to Him and obeys Him with all their heart and soul, THEN the LORD will restore their fortunes, and have compassion on them and again gather them from the people where the LORD scattered them.

The LORD will also “circumcise their hearts” so they will love him totally. He will make them prosperous and delight in them again. And He will put all the curses on their enemies.

Then Moses encouraged them. “This commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither too far off. The word is very near you. It is in your mouth and your heart, so you can do it.”

Then Moses challenged them. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. IF you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, by loving  Him, walking in His ways, and keeping his commandments and statutes and rules, THEN you shall live and multiply and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curs.  CHOOSE LIFE!  So you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for HE is your life and length of days.

Deuteronomy 31.

Moses then reminded the people that he was now 120 years old and he could not enter the Land with them.  But that the LORD Himself will go in with them. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Then Moses brought Joshua before them and commissioned him. “Be strong and courageous, for YOU shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.”

Then Moses gave the whole law, which he had written at God’s command, to the priests. He commanded them to read it every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles when all Israel came to appear before the LORD. They were to read it before all Israel, men, women, children, and stranger in their towns… that all may hear and learn to fear the LORD they God and be careful to obey all the words.

Then God told Moses. “It’s time for you to die.  Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting that I may commission him.” 

God told Moses that after he died, the people would turn and whore after foreign gods in the land and that His anger would be kindled against them.  AND SO, Moses was to write a song and teach it to the people. He was to put it in their mouths, that it would be a witness for God against them..”

So Moses wrote the song the same day and taught it to the people. (We will read it tomorrow in chapter 32.)

Then the LORD commissioned Joshua, the son of Nun. “Be strong and courageous, for you SHALL bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Then Moses gave the entire book of the Law to the Levite priests, who were to put it beside the Ark of the Covenant. It was a witness against them. (For God knew how rebellious and stubborn they were.)

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 78

Mar19
Day 78.  Reading Deuteronomy 24 – 27. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 24.

This chapter deals with divorce and other laws of compassion.

When a man divorces his wife, he must give her a certificate saying so before she leaves. With that, she is free to marry another man. However, if that man also divorces her, she may NOT return and marry the first husband.

  • Newly married men are excused from fighting in war for a year. 
  • One must never take a man’s millstone as a pledge, for that’s the only way he can earn a living.
  • A kidnapper will pay for his crime with his life.
  • Be sure to follow the strict Levitical laws concerning leprosy.
  • When you require a pledge for a loan you give, wait outside the person’s house for him to bring it to you. Don’t go into his house.
  • You must never keep a poor man’s coat overnight, he needs it to stay warm.
  • Don’t oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy. Give him wages on the same day before the sun sets.
  • A father shall not be punished by death for his son’s sin. 
  • You shall not take a widow’s garment as a pledge.
  • When you harvest and forget a sheaf in the field, don’t return and get it; leave it for the traveler, orphan, or widow.  The same is true for your olive and grape harvests. 

Deuteronomy 25.

More miscellaneous laws.  In a dispute, the judges will decide the guilty person.  If he is to be beaten, he shall lie down in the judge’s presence and be beaten with the proportionate number. Forty strikes is the maximum.

If a married man dies without offspring, his wife must go to his brother. Their firstborn son will be the successor of the dead man, so his name won’t be blotted out.  If the brother refuses to take her, he is to be disgraced.

If two men are fighting, one man’s wife is not allowed to grab the other by the genitals. They were to always use fair and equal weights. When they conquered the Land for themselves, the Israelites are then to go after the Amalekites to blot out their name from memory. 

Deuteronomy 26.

This chapter tells what the Israelites are to do once they are settled into the land the LORD gave them.

They are to take the first basket of produce from the first crop after they have occupied the land, and bring it to the priest. They are to recite a declaration of how they are a descendant of Abraham, how they lived in Egypt until the LORD rescued them and brought them to this land with an outstretched hand. And now they are bringing the first of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Then they are to rejoice in all the good the LORD has done for them and continue keeping the law and tithing, asking God to “look down from heaven and bless His people Israel and the land given to them.”

Then, they may go home and eat the produce of their land with their families. 

Deuteronomy 27.

After the people cross the Jordan into the Land, they are to set up large stones and plaster them so they can write on them. Then, on Mount Ebal, they are to write the words of the Law on   the plastered stones, and offer burnt and peace offerings.

Then in a loud voice, Moses declared, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall, therefore, obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Then the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to declare the curses, while the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin are to stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim the blessings.

Then Moses lists the twelve curses to be proclaimed, mostly about “secret” sins.

At the end, all shall say, AMEN.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 77

Mar18
Day 77.  Reading Deuteronomy 21 – 23. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 21.

This chapter seems to point to having respect for all humanity. 

A dead body is found, and no one knows anything. Nevertheless his body is atoned for by the priest and nearest neighbors.  A female captive is allowed to grieve her parents and home for a month before consummating her marriage to an Israeli.  The firstborn son of an unloved wife still inherits the birthright. The parents of an recalcine rebellious son have a way out by bringing him before the elders who judge him.  And even a criminal hanged on a tree shall be taken down and buried the same day.

Deuteronomy 22.

Neighborliness seems prominent in this chapter, as well as sexual purity.

If you find a neighbor’s animal, return it.  If you don’t know whom it belongs to, keep it safe to you find out.  If you see your neighbor’s animal fallen into a ditch, help to get it out.  If you find a nest of eggs with a bird on it, you must let the mother go free. You should build a parapet (short wall) around your roof (where sleeping and dining often happened) so that no one would accidently fall off it.

Don’t plant two kinds of seeds together; don’t yoke an ox and a donkey together, and don’t wear clothes made of two fabrics. All these point to purity and fairness.  Also, women are not to wear men’s clothing, nor men, women’s.

A husband has the right to have his wife’s previous virginity proved.  Adultery is punished by death of them both. Rape is only considered a crime punishable by death, if the girl does not scream (in the city) or if she is taken in the country where no one can hear her scream. 

Deuteronomy 23.

This chapter covers who can and cannot worship with or become a citizen of Israel. Those who are castrated, born of a forbidden union, an Ammonite or Moabite, and children of an Edomite or Egyptian until after the third generation. 

Uncleanness here is normal but should be taken care of, such as having bowel movements “outside the camp and covering it up” and nocturnal emissions (wash up).

There are some miscellaneous laws about accepting and helping a slave who has run away from his master (one assumes a cruel one?), allowing none of their daughters or sons to become prostitutes, never charging interest on loans to their brothers (foreigners CAN be charged), and fulfilling vows made to God. 

You were allowed to pick grapes and grain from their neighbor’s fields IF YOU ATE IT THEN. But they could not carry a basket to COLLECT the produce to bring home.

All details to be sure, but Moses wanted the people to know and remember the little things too as they entered the Promised Land … without him.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 74

Mar15
Day 74.  Reading Deuteronomy 11 – 13. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about NEW God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 11.

Again, Moses pounds home the promises and warnings of Israel’s God, “Love the LORD your God and keep His charge, His statutes, His rules, and His commandments always … that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land, and that you may live long in the land.” 

“That land drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. His eyes are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. He will give rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later raid, that you may gather in your grain, wine, and oil. He will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.”

“So love the LORD your God, and serve Him with all your heart and soul.”  “And if you are careful to do all the commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to him … then the LORD will drive out all those nations before you, nations greater and mightier than you. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. NO ONE will stand against you. The fear of you and the dread of you the LORD will put on all the land.”

“But if you do not… a curse.

Deuteronomy 12.

Their main task in conquering the land is to “destroy all the places where the nations serve their gods, on mountains, hills and under every green tree. They are to tear down, dash into pieces, burn, chop into pieces, and utterly destroy any images and idols. They are to NOT, NOT, NOT worship them, in any way, place, shape or form.  AND, they shall worship and sacrifice ONLY at the place where the LORD chooses to put His name and home. And ONLY in the manner He has taught them.

But… they CAN eat any clean meat now, whenever they wish, as much as they wish, of their flocks and herds and of gazelles or deer.  Only the animals pledged for sacrifice, offerings, and vows they shall only eat in God’s presence.

Deuteronomy 12.

WARNING:  If anyone – a dreamer of dreams or “prophet” tells you to go after other gods to serve them -DO NOT LISTEN!  That person shall be put to death, and so you shall purge evil from your midst. 

EVEN if your own brother, mother, or friend entices you to serve other gods, DO NOT YIELD or LISTEN to them. You shall not pity, conceal, or spare him.  You shall kill him. (stone him) YOU, YOURSELF shall cast the first stone!

AND if any worthless men in another city try to draw away the inhabitants to serve other gods, you shall (first) inquire, make search, and ask diligently.  If it is so, then you shall destroy the inhabitants of that city with the sword – all who are in that city, even its cattle, and burn everything else.  WOW. GOD IS SERIOUS!

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****O LORD, if only WE were as diligent in destroying the things in our lives that distract us from your Word, or prayer or in serving You in any way. Help us to deny ourselves, give them up, throw them away, ask others to help us in our addictive ways … and repent to serve and love YOU ONLY!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 73

Mar14
Day 73.  Reading Deuteronomy 8 – 10. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 8.

In yesterday’s reading, God, through Moses, left the people of Israel with a solemn warning of how He viewed the images and idols of the Canaanites.  THEY should utterly detest and abhor them, as HE did.

Today, Moses tells them that those idols would be the ultimate test of their love towards God. He tested them in the wilderness, “to know what was in their hearts.” He humbled them and let them hunger “to let them know that man does not live by bread alone.”

Now, in giving them the “good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which they will eat brad without scarcity, in which they will lack nothing” God was giving them another test.

“Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His rules and His statutes.  LEST, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied…. YOU FORGET the LORD your God who brought you up out of Egypt.”

“BEWARE lest you say in their heart ‘MY power and the might of MY hand has gotten me this wealth.’  You shall REMEMBER the LORD your God, for it is HE how gives you power to get wealth.

“And IF you FORGET the LORD their God and go after gods to serve and worship them … YOU shall perish like the nations before you.”

Deuteronomy 9.

Moses continues to encourage, scold, and warn the people of Israel.  When they conquer the Promised Land, they are not to think that THEY did it, that THEIR righteousness got them the land.  No, it was God — who is a consuming fire — that went before them and destroyed their enemies.

It certainly was NOT their righteousness that caused them to possess the land, but the wickedness of those peoples, and because of the promise God made to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  No, the Israelites were a STUBBORN, not righteous people who had severely provoked the LORD in the wilderness.

Moses reminds them of that horrible time when he was 40 days with God, that they build and worshiped the golden calf.  He reminded them how God wanted to destroy them all, and how he — in anger — had thrown down the tablets of stone.  He reminded them how he returned another 40 days before the LORD and laid prostrate on his face before God, pleading for them, for his brother, Aaron, and for God’s reputation and Name.   

Deuteronomy 10.

Moses continues the story, how the LORD relented because of Moses’ intercession, gave him two replacement stone tablets with the LAW engraved on them, and how he put them in the Ark of the Covenant as a remembrance.   He reminded them how God set apart the tribe of Levi because of their ZEAL for Him. They were to care for the Tabernacle and the Holy Things.

“And now, Israel, WHAT DOES THE LORD YOUR GOD REQUIRE OF YOU?  To fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and will all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statues of the LORD ….. for your good. 

“Remember, the LORD your God — to whom belons the heavens and all that is in the earth — has set His heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring, YOU above all peoples, as you are this day.  Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your HEART and no longer be stubborn, 

“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God.”

“YOU shall fear the LORD your God. YOU shall serve Him and hold fast to him, and by His Name you shall swear. HE is your praise. HE is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. 

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****O Lord, may I also never forget who You are, all the great and mighty things you have done for me, though I too am stubborn, sinful and not righteous at all … except for the righteousness You have given me through Your Son, Jesus. 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 71

Mar12
Day 71.  Reading Deuteronomy 3 – 4. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 3.

Here Moses gives more details in Israel’s fights with the kings east of the Jordan.  We discover that King Og of Bashan was a super-giant!  Wow.  King Og – oh, my goodness – was about 12-13 feet tall!!  No kidding.  His bed was made of iron, 6-feet wide and 13-feet long. (Remember that Goliath was just 9.5 feet tall.)  I can see why the earlier Israelis were spooked by these super big men in the land.

But, with our God, giants are as nothing. And as with Midian, Israel defeated this opponent with ease.  Moses then tells how they easily defeated the rest, and how Manasseh, Gad and Reuben settled into their territory. 

Moses also tells them how God had forbidden him to enter the Promised Land, and how he begged God to change His mind.  Rather than being moved, the LORD said, “Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. You can go up the mountain and SEE it with your eyes, but it will be Joshua who leads the people in.”

Moses three times blamed the people for this. “The LORD was angry with ME because of YOU, and would not listen.”  (Exodus 1:37, 3:26, and 4:21-22)

Deuteronomy 4.

Then Moses urges, commands, and charges Israel to LISTEN to, KEEP, OBEY, NOT FORGET, TEACH, and HOLD FAST to the statutes and rules and to the LORD, as he had taught them.   If they do, they will live, go into the land, and take possession of it. 

Also, they will be an example for the world.  “When the peoples hear all these statutes, they will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people,” For what great nation is there that has a God so near it as the LORD our God is us us, whenever we call upon him?  And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today.”

Moses urges them to teach their children the statutes of the LORD, that they might teach their children.  They are to watch themselves very carefully, lest they act corruptly with idolatry, for the LORD is a jealous (for them) God. 

And (you can almost hear him sigh here), when you have grown old and if you act corruptly by idolatry, and the LORD scatters you among the peoples…. IF YOU WILL SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEARCH FOR HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL.  And the LORD will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that He swore to them.

“For who is like the LORD our God?” Know and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath; there is no other.”

Moses then sets apart three cities as Cities of Refuge in the areas of Manasseh, Gad, and Reuben, so a manslayer may escape to safety there.

Then he sets them up for a repeat telling of the Ten Commandments (in tomorrow’s study).

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 70

Mar11
Day 70.  Reading Deuteronomy 1 – 2. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 1.

At the end of Moses’ life (forty years after he led the people out of Egypt) and before Israel enters the Promised Land, Moses reviews their history, bringing up the GOOD that God did and the mostly REBELLION that they did, challenging them to NOW obey and succeed. 

I love that he honored God and blessed them with, “The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. May the LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as He has promised you!”

He reminded this new generation of people how (at his father-in-law’s suggestion and God’s approval) he chose leaders of their tribes to help him judge all of them. 

He also reminded them how they refused to enter the Land almost 40 years earlier because of fear and a rebellious heart, how God had condemned them to the wilderness again, and how they would not listen but rebelled against the command of the LORD and PRESUMPTUOUSLY went to fight the Amorites. How horribly they failed because the LORD was NOT with them.  

God was angry with them… and him (Moses).  

Deuteronomy 2.

Moses here recounts the years of wandering in the desert, until all that generation died (except Caleb and Joshua and their children). 

Finally, they came up again at the gates of the Promised Land. God told them NOT to invade Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother), NOR the Moabites, for they were descendants of Abraham’s nephew, Lot.  Likewise, they were not to harass the Ammonite people for they also descended from Lot.  (Blood truly IS thicker than water.)

However, they did fight and defeat the Midianites, who, through their kings and the false prophet, Balaam, had led them into idolatry and sexual sin.  That defeat was a foretaste of their battles when God was with them. Not one soldier died.  

….

to be continued.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 68 & 69

Mar10
Day 68 – 69.  Reading Numbers 33-34 and 35-36. 
(Sunday & Monday posts are published on Monday.)
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 33.

In this chapter, God told Moses to write a list of all the stages of Israel’s progress when they left Egypt with Moses and Aaron, between Rameses and their current camp at the Jordan River in the plains of Moab, just opposite Jericho. Moses obeyed (what a memory!)  There were 40 stages (of course).

God also told Moses to challenge the people (once again, probably for the 40th time!) to “Drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and metal images, and demolish all their high places.” 

“Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans – a large inheritance for large tribes and a smaller inheritance for smaller tribes.  Where each lot falls, THAT will be their portion.”

Then God, through Moses, warned them, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you…. then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And…. I will do to YOU as I thought to do to them.

Numbers 34.

Then, in preparation for Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, God also told them the boundaries of the Land He promised them, which actually did not include the land on the east of the river that the 2 1/2 tribes took.

Southern border:  From the bottom of the Dead Sea, down along the western side of Edom, through the wilderness of Zin to Kadesh-Barnea (the farthest point south). Then cut up toward the west to the Brook of Egypt, ending in the Mediterranean Sea (which includes the land of the Philistines … and Gaza).

Western border: The Mediterranean Sea (called The Great Sea here).

Northern border: From just above Tyre, on the sea coast, this line would cut east to Hazar-Enan near the source of the Jordan River at the base of Mt. Herman.

Eastern border:  From Hazar-Enan, go southward along the Jordan “trickle” through that little lake and then along the Sea of Galilee, following the Jordan River south to the Dead Sea, which is the Eastern border.

Moses: “This is the land that you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes.  The other two and a half tribes received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, toward the sunrise.

Moses then lists the twelve tribal chiefs.  These twelve, along with the high priest Eleazar and Commander Joshua, will divide up the land.  (But first, of course, they have to conquer it!)

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Numbers 35. 

In advance of Israel conquering the Promised Land, God also designates an inheritance for the Levites.  They shall get cities spread throughout the entire land. The cities will include some pastureland around the cities as a place to keep the animals given to them as offerings.  There were to be forty-eight cities for the Levites. Six of them, spread equally north/south were also designated as Refuge Cities. 

Refuge Cities were places that a person accused of Manslaughter (accidental killing of a person, and NOT MURDER), could run to and escape the dead person’s “Avenger of Blood.”  An Avenger was contracted by the deceased’s family to exact judgment on the manslayer (a life for a life).  But if the accidentally guilty person made it to a City of Refuge and went inside, he would be safe from revenge death. He had to remain ALWAYS INSIDE that city for the rest of his life to be secure or until the high priest died.  When that happened, the manslayer would be free to “safely” return to his home and land.

Moses clarified this by stating, “If anyone kills a person on purpose, the MURDERER shall be put to death on the evidence of at least two witnesses. No ransom can be paid. He shall be put to death. (Also, no ransom can be paid for a manslayer, so he may return home from a City of Refuge before the high priest dies.)

(I mean, you got to put it into law!)

Numbers 36 (last chapter).

One more point of law needed clarification.  Remember how those daughters came to Moses (Numbers 27:1-11), asking if their line would miss out on an inheritance because there were no males to inherit.  God told Moses that, in that case, the women could inherit their father’s portion.

Now, the brothers of the sonless man came to Moses.  What if those daughters (who inherited a portion of land) were to marry outside our tribe. Then THAT tribe would get more land, and we would have less.

Moses again went to the Lord.  Solution:  Those daughters would be allowed to marry ANYONE THEY WANTED, as long as he was IN THEIR TRIBE.  No problem.  Those five daughters married inside their tribe.  Ta-Da!

So, a new law was created for this situation. “No inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another, for each of the tribes of people of Israel shall hold on to his own inheritance.”

And now, Israel waits by the Jordan River at Jericho.  (You know what’s going to happen, right?)

##

But first, the last book of the law, Deuteronomy.  Moses wrote all but a part of the last chapters, about his death, which Joshua added on.  They are a series of speeches that Moses gave to Israel and later wrote down and gave to the priests for safekeeping, covering about a month. 

TUNE IN TOMORROW TO BEGIN IT.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 67

Mar8
Day 67.  Reading Numbers 31-32. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 31.

Remember yesterday?  The gross immorality between Israel and the pagan, idol-loving women?  And Phinehas spearing the two blatant offenders?  Well, here is God’s word to Moses:

“Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Send 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel to war.” 

And so, Moses sent them, together with Phinehas with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for alarm in his hand.  And the warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every male. The also killed the five Midianite kings …. and Balaam. 

But the Israeli warriors ALSO took plunder: cattle, flocks, all the goods, children … and the women of Midian.   YIKES!  Not woman!! That’s who led them astray before!!!

Moses was angry too, and had them kill …. every male among the children and every female who has known a man.  (They could keep all the young girls alive for themselves.)  This all happened outside the camp. All the “loot” was also purified by either fire or water depending on what it was made of. Then the soldiers could cleanse themselves and enter the camp after one week.  

A law was made that would continue in Israel’s history.  The loot that was secured by the warriors who fought would be divided with those who did not go out.  And a part was for the LORD’s house and service as well.  (The plunder that day was HUMOUNGOUS!) 

Then the great news!  Not one Israeli soldier was missing.  (God’s grace & mercy, for sure.)

Numbers 32.

One more problem needed settling before Moses could die.  The tribes of Gad and Reuben came to him and said they REALLY liked the land they’d seen on the EAST side of the Jordan River.  It was fertile for farming and livestock raising. Could they settle here?

WHAT?????  Moses was furious!  He pictured another 40 years of wilderness wandering, because Israel refused to go in and possess the land God had promised them.  It was JUST TOO MUCH!

But these tribes assured him that their soldiers WOULD GO INTO THE LAND, and fight alongside their brothers until the land was conquered.  Only, allow them to have THIS land as their possession.  They would settle their flocks and herds and families into the cities and farms, AND THEN lead the way to conquest with the rest of Israel.  They vowed.  They promised.  

So Moses said okay.  You can tell that the 120 year old man was tired of this people. But he portioned out the land and cities to Gad, Reuben, and 1/2 of the tribe of Manasseh, who liked the farm land as well.  They got to work, took the cities and settled their families and animals.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 66

Mar7
Day 66.  Reading Numbers 28-30. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 28-29.

The LORD has Moses review some important things for this new generation as they are poised to enter the Promised Land. The first thing is the offerings He requires daily, weekly (on Sabbath), and annually, as well as those on the special holy days. Why so many, you might ask. Doesn’t this deplete their herds and flocks?  

First, remember that these offerings, except for the sin and guilt offerings that were burned totally, were for the priests and Levites.  Their total service was to the Lord. They would not have their own flocks and herds.  This is the way Israel would support them and at the same time, acknowledge their thanksgiving and worship to God.

Numbers 30.

This section on men and women and making vows may seem patronizing, but it actually protects women who are usually (but not always) more emotional.  First, when a man makes a vow to God, it is binding. Period.  But, if a woman makes a vow to the LORD, binding herself by a pledge, her father (if she is single) or her husband (when married) can nullify that vow. 

The LORD – knowing women very well – sometimes calls these vows “thoughtless utterances of her lips.”  (We might say, frivolous, and you know exactly what He means. Women are women and sometimes nasty!)  In such a case, the man in her life could cancel those vows, and she would not be held to them before the LORD. (And I might say, to her relief most of the time!). But a husband or father, seeing an earnest heart, may also NOT void her vow.   

I think of Hannah, years later, who had no children. She went to the Tabernacle and VOWED that if the LORD would give her a son, she would give him back for all of his life.  Her husband, Elkanah, learned of her pledge and did not cancel it.  The LORD heard Hannah, saw her heart, and gave her a son whom she named Samuel. When he was weaned, she took him to the Tabernacle and gave him up for his lifetime.  God honored her vow and fulfillment by giving her other children. (1 Samuel 1 and 2)

(Of course, men make foolish vows too, often in the heat of battle or boasting!  See Judges 11:29-40, Jephthah’s tragic vow, and  1 Samuel 14:24-48 King Saul’s rash vow.)  (I bet these men wished someone had stopped their vows!!)

  • LORD, help me to never begrudge the offerings I give to You, in whatever ways you use them.   May my heart and hand be always “open.”
  • And LORD, may I always think before I speak. Help me to consider your Word and ways before I say something foolish. And when I do spout something I regret, lead me to confession and your forgiveness.