Archives

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.

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 65

Mar6
Day 65.  Reading Numbers 26-27. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 26.

God called Moses to count the people again after all those years of discipline in the wilderness. He was to take a census of all the men 20 years and older who could go to war. So Moses and High Priest Eleazar got to work. How did it compare with the list at the beginning of Numbers? Here’s how.

  • Two Census    OLD        NEW
  1. Reuben – – – 46,500 – – 43,730
  2. Simeon – – – 59,300 – – 22,200
  3. Gad – – – – –  45,650 – – 40,500
  4. Judah – – – – 74,600 – – 76,500 
  5. Issachar – – -54,400 – – 64,300
  6. Zebulun – – -57,400 – – 60,500
  7. Ephraim – –  40,500 – – 32,500
  8. Manasseh –  32,200 – – 52,700
  9. Benjamin – – 35,400 – – 45,600
  10. Dan – – – – –  62,700 – – 64,400
  11. Asher – – – –  41,500 – – 53,400
  12. Naphtali –  – 53,400 – – 45,400
  • TOTAL – – –  603,550 – 601,730  (1,870 fewer)
  • Levites, 1 month or older – 22,000 – 23,000  (1,000 more)

These were the people of Israel who were listed in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among them, there was NOT ONE of those listed at Sinai, for the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left except Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 27.

As the people were preparing to enter the Promised Land, this census would also determine the size of the plots of land they would inherit. Larger tribes, like Judah, would inherit larger parcels, whereas smaller tribes, like Simeon, would inherit smaller portions. (Simeon’s people actually ended up merging into Judah.)

Then, an unusual situation arose. Some daughters from Manasseh came to Moses with a question. “In our father’s clan there are no sons. Does that mean his line gets no inheritance in the Land?  Can WE replace the sons and inherit?

Moses went to God with the question. 

The LORD gave Moses a surprising and righteous answer. “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”

Furthermore, the LORD told Moses to make that LAW for future generations where sons were unavailable.

THEN THE WORDS OF GOD THAT MOSES WAS DREADING. 

“Go up into this mountain and see the land I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall die as your brother Aaron….because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, FAILING TO UPHOLD ME AS HOLY BEFORE THEIR EYES at the waters.”

Not in this passage, but later, Moses will ask God for a reprieve. NOW, however, he is concerned that someone is chosen to lead Israel after he’s gone. 

The LORD agreed and told him to “take Joshua the son of Noon (that’s how it’s pronounced), a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight, that the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.”  Eleazar, also in the presence of the congregation, was to use the Urim before the LORD to solidify the appointment and then lay his hands on him to commission him as leader after Moses.

.

Things are winding down for Moses. Soon, his 40-year job will be finished, and he can retire to Heaven. We still need to read through 9 chapters in Numbers and Deuteronomy, the SECOND review of the law, some new and old happenings before the death, and the final eulogy for Moses, and Joshua’s taking over. (Sigh.)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 64

Mar5
Day 64.  Reading Numbers 23-25. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 23.

The story of Balaam continues.

So far, Balaam has inquired of the LORD twice if he can go curse Israel for the Moabite King, Balak. After all, a lot of cash and honor is involved. The LORD says No, and then Yes, IF YOU SAY EXACTLY WHAT I TELL YOU.  Of course God knows what’s in Balaam’s greedy heart, and stops him by sending a fierce angel and scaring his donkey so much that it ACTUALLY SPEAKS to Balaam.  

Yesterday we saw Balaam with King Balak on a hill overlooking part of Israel’s camp.

So… Balaam (for show???) offers seven bulls and seven rams on seven altars. Then he walks over to a high cliff, looks down on the Israelites.  But the word of the LORD to him is, “You sent me to curse this people, but how can I curse what God has blessed?  Let my own end be like Israel’s.”

Yes, Balak is furious. He takes Balaam to a different spot and says to try again to curse this people.

And again with the seven offerings of bulls and rams on altars. Balaam again goes to the cliff overlooking the people and returns to Balak with this message….

  • “God is not man, that He should lie, or the son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? Behold, I received a command to bless, H e has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.  He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with them.“

“No, no, no!  Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all!” cried King Balak.  And then he took Balaam to a third spot to view Israel. Again with the three bulls and rams on altars.

Numbers 24.

This time, when Balaam looked out, he saw each of Israel’s tribes camped in order.  “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!  Blessed are those who bless you. Cursed are those who curse you.”

King Balak is FURIOUS!  “I called you to curse my enemies, and you have blessed them three times. Go home now. I will NOT HONOR you.“

But Balaam has one last prophecy concerning Israel and Moab, Edom, Amalek, the Kenites (Midian), and even Assyria. “King Balak, Come, I will let you know what THIS people will do to YOUR peoples in the latter days.” He pronounces his last scary “oracle” before he goes home.

Numbers 25.

Ah, but Israel, does not recognize, appreciate, or return the love of their God back to Him.

(Peek ahead to Numbers 31:16 to see that it was Balaam who suggested the following.)

These Moabites invited the people to sacrifices of their gods, and soon Israeli men were eating with them and bowing to their idol Baal. 

God was horrifically angry and told Moses to have the judges of Israel round up all the men “who had yoked themselves to Baal” and kill them. He sent a plague of His fury through the camp. But to show the people’s utter arrogance in the matter, one Israeli man brought a Midianite woman right into the camp, and in front of them all, went into the tent and had sex with her.

Phinehas, the son of the high priest Eleazar, burned with indignation for the LORD.  He took a spear, went into the man’s tent and ran the spear clear through both their bellies … in the very act.  The plague stopped, but not before killing 24,000 of Israel.   The LORD told Moses that it was the zeal of Phinehas that had turned back His wrath, and that his house would have a perpetual priesthood. 

God then told Moses to “harass” the Midianites and strike them down, because of the “wiles, with which they beguiled Israel in this matter.”

.

Has the old generation finally all died? Tomorrow a Census of the NEW GENERATION is taken.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 63

Mar4
Day 63.  Reading Numbers 21 -22. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 21.

Let the battles begin!

Living in the Negev (South desert) was the small kingdom of Arad. The king captured a few Jews. Israel vowed to the LORD, if He would give them this people, they would “devote all the cities to destruction.”  God did, and they did, and they named it Hormah (destruction). 

After that victory they set themselves to go around Edom and to turn north on the Eastern side of the Dead Sea/Jordan Valley.  BUT!!!!! The people became impatient. They spoke against God and Moses. “There’s no food. There’s no water. And we hate this worthless manna.”

(Sigh)

Obviously there were still some of the “Old Guard” among them who needed killing.  God sent fiery serpents among them. (Eek!!) The snakes bit many people and they died a horrible death.

“Moses! We have sinned, for we haven spoken against the LORD and against you.  Pray to the LORD to take away the serpents!”

Moses prayed, and the LORD provided a way to defeat the snakes’ poison. Moses was to make an image of a serpent and put it on a pole to hold high up.  When the people looked on the bronze serpent (believing  what God said) they would be healed.   

(Jesus used this Old Testament story to show how HE would be lifted up on a CROSS, and if anyone looked to HIM in faith, they would be saved from death.)

Israel swung around the southern and eastern boarders of Edom, and past Moab on the Eastern side of the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley to the Arnon River**, the boarder between Moab and the Amorites. 

(**NOTE:  I picture the land on the east side of the Jordan River Valley from Galilee down to the bottom of the Dead sea, like the figure of a man with the rivers at parts of his body. 

  • Going into the bottom of the Dead Sea is the ZERED BROOK. Think of that as the feet of the man-figure, wearing zories (flip-flops).
  • The ARNON RIVER enters the Dead Sea about midway. I think of that as an “iron-on patch” on the man-figure’s knees. 
  • Further up the JABBOK RIVER flows into the Jordan between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. I picture this as a finger jabbing the man-figure in the ribs. 
  • The YARMOUK RIVER flows into the Jordan just south of Galilee.  I picture that as the Yarmulka (skull cap) on the head of the man-figure. 

I know, I’m weird, but “pictures” help me remember.)

Numbers 22. 

So, Israel is camped near the Arnon River, which is the boarder between the Amorites and Moabites. They send a message to Sihon, king of the Amorites, asking him to let them pass through their land.  “Nope! Let’s fight.”  And Israel soundly beat them, all the way to the Jabbok River. And Israel moved into the territory.

Og, the city king of Bashon came out against Israel, but God told Israel not to worry. As they’d defeated Sihon, they would defeat Og.  And so they did.  Then Israel camped in the plains of Moab on the East of the Jordan River at Jericho.

Balak king of Moab sent messages to the Midianites about Israel. “This horde will not like up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And he sent a personal message to Balaam, a seer/prophet.  “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.”

The elders of Moab and Midian, raised a “fee for divination” to give to Balaam. 

But Balaam told them to wait a night while he asked God.  God said, “You shall NOT go with them. You shall NOT curse the people, for they are blessed.”

So far, so good with Balaam. He told the messengers “no” and they left.

BUT, the kings would not accept “no.”  They sent messages back saying they would give Balaam “great honor” and whatever he asked for. 

Balaam holds steady at first. “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold I could not go beyond the command of the LORD…. BUT….. stay here tonight and I will inquire of the Lord again.” 

Ah-OH. Didn’t God already say NO?

God said, “You can go with them, BUT ONLY DO WHAT I TELL YOU.”

The next part is weird, because “God’s anger was kindled because Balaam went.”  God probably knew that Balaam would actually try to curse the people and get the money. So God sent an angel to stop him. Except Balaam did not SEE the angel with the drawn sword blocking the road. ONLY THE DONKEY SAW IT. What??

Balaam beat the poor donkey because it kept turning aside into the bushes, and scratching his legs.

FINALLY, THE DONKEY SPOKE!!!  “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life to this day?  Is it my habit to treat you this way?”

AND BALAAM ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE DONKEY!  “No.”

And the LORD opened his eyes to see the angel.

Balaam realized he’d sinned and said he’d turn back. But God said THAT was NOT His plan. Balaam was to go with them…. but ONLY SAY WHAT GOD TOLD HIM.  Perhaps Balaam understood this time, for he went with the men and warned the king he could only say what God gave him.

In the morning, King Balak took Balaam up on a hill and showed him “a fraction” of the masses of Israel.

.

WHAT WILL BALAAM DO? Stay tuned for tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

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.

.

  • 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…..

.

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?)

…

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.

.

  • 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.)

.

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