Day 69— Now that we’ve passed Day 66, it’s 100% likely that we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!
Day 69 – Numbers 35 – 36 (Provisions for Levites, manslayers, young women)
God does not forget about the Levites and their material possessions. In Chapter 35, He tells Moses to assign 48 cities with some pastureland around them – within the Promised (and Bonus) Land – for the Levites to live and care for the animals & equipment they have. They are evenly distributed throughout small & large tribes.
Six of these cities – evenly spaced in the land – were to be Cities of Refuge, safe places for a person who accidently killed someone to run to and have safety from the diseased person’s Avenger (nearest male relative). The manslayer would need to live within the city from then on. If he stepped outside, the Avenger could legally kill him. He had to stay there until the High Priest died, a sort of atonement for the killed one. These were not prisons, more like a “witness-protection” locations today.
But God also makes it clear, that if a person intentionally, pre-meditatively, kills someone, his life would be required of him from the family Avenger. He could NOT seek a City of Refuge.
Chapter 36 revisits the case of women survivors in a man’s family, perhaps losing their inheritance in the Promised Land by marrying outside the tribe. The problem was solved when Moses commanded the women in these cases to marry withing their tribe. No inheritance could be transferred from one tribe to another.
These two last-minute situations (murder and marriage) were solved while the people were still camped on the plains of the conquered Moab, East of the Jordan River. The NEXT book – Deuteronomy – is Moses reaffirming and repeating and clarifying all the laws and rules of God for the people, and challenging them to keep them and be blessed, or fail to obey and be cursed, before they officially stepped into Canaan.
Day 68— Now that we’ve passed Day 66, it’s 100% likely that we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!
Before entering the Promised Land, Moses takes time to document Israel’s journey so for, since they left Egypt, and to review what they are to do once they cross the boarder. (Chapter 33)
Many of the places he mentions are familiar, but quite a few are not, especially in the final 38 years of just wandering around the desert until all the older generation dies. Forty times, Moses writes of Israel, “they set out from” and “they camped at.” What a tedious journey of packing up and setting up, all resulting from their disobedience. (How often have I also endured long trials as a result of deciding MY way instead of GOD’s way?)
At the end of the chapter the LORD reminds Moses to repeat His instructions about entering the land of Canaan. “You shall DRIVE OUT ALL the inhabitants of the land from before you, and DESTROY ALL their figures and images, and DEMOLISH ALL their high places.” And then they could enjoy the Land that God promised 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 will trouble you. (Let’s see how that works out when we get to the book of Joshua.)
Next, in Chapter 34, God tells Moses the boundaries of the Land He has Promised them – South, West (Mediterranean Sea), North, and East (the shoulder of the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Dead Sea). God also allows the 2.5 tribes to inherit the hill country of Gilead, and the lands of Ammon and Moab on the East of the Jordan River.
The LORD also names Eleazar the priest, and Joshua as the two who will divide the land up by lot according to the size of each tribe. A head man from each tribe is also named to help in the allotments.
It sounds so exciting! They will soon enter and conquer their Promised Land and find where they all will live! (And no longer camp & move.) But first, a lot of work, lessons, and refinement must be endured. Are they up for it?
Day 67— Now that we’ve passed Day 66, it’s 100% likely that we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE your habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!
Day 67 – Numbers 31 – 32 (War on Midian, The questionable spoil, Special request of some tribes.)
In Chapter 31, the LORD speaks to Moses to go to war against the Midianites, as an act of divine vengeance. WHY?? You remember in previous chapters how, when he couldn’t “curse” Israel, that Balaam told the king to “conquer” Israel by deviate actions. If they sent their seductive women (with their Baal idols) into the camp, Israel would grab the women and forsake their God.
This happened, and you remember the outcome. Death and plague, and Phinehas’ bold move in killing an arrogant leader with a pagan woman.
Now, Israel was to get a taste of what they would be doing once inside the Promised Land – fighting, conquering, destroying the pagan Canaanite peoples to purify worship of the one and only true God. 12,000 soldiers (with our hero Phinehas) are sent against Midian and they kill every male, including the five kings and their chief men. AND…the false prophet, Balaam got his due as well.
BUT!!!! Another lesson needed to be taught. The now available pagan women with their idols were once again inside God’s holy nation! NO! Moses was angry with the commanders and ordered all of the women killed. Young male children as well. YIKES! Only the young girls could be eventually, safely, assimilated into the nation.
WOW. Sounds harsh, right? But think of the invasiveness of sin. If you know some future history of Israel, you know how just a few idols could lead to massive national disobedience. Like us, sin must be nipped in the bud.
Once the commanders obey, they take stock of the plunder. Lots of gold etc., animals and persons (16,000). The spoil was divided among the tribes (a process that continued in all their wars), and a portion set aside for the Levites, as well as that offered to God.
And in the fray, NOT A SINGLE ISRAELI SOLDIER was killed!
In Chapter 32, we see Moses angry again. (He’s probably just wanting to die and be done with these people!!) The tribes of Reuben and Gad (farmers & ranchers at heart) see the lush hills of Gilead on the East of the Jordan/Promised Land, and want to settle their tribes there.
Moses thinks they are rebelling, just like the 10 spies 38 years previously had coerced them not to enter the Land, but to turn back. He rants and rails on them, but they say, “No, we are not turning back. We promise that all our soldiers will go into the Promised Land and fight with our brothers until they are all settled in their areas. Just let our families and animals settle here.”
Moses finally agrees but makes them VOW before the LORD that they would do as they’d promised. If not, they would be sinning against God, and to be sure, “your sin will find you out.” And so, Moses gave to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh the kingdoms of King Sihon and King Og and all their territories and cities as their permanent possession.
Day 66— TODAY, Day 66, is a day to celebrate. Studies have shown that if you perform a new action for 66 days, it’s 100% likely that you will have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE your habit of daily Bible reading! Hooray! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!
In Chapter 28 & 29, Moses reviews, summarizes, and strengthens the instructions for honoring Sabbaths, Celebration Feasts (Holidays), and the various offerings for each, as Israel is about to enter the Promised Land and a lot of things will change.
(Remember the food, grain, peace, and other offerings are many times given as support to the Priests and Levites after being donated or “waved” before God. This was very important because 22,000 Levites were depending on this.)
Chapter 30 reviews the taking of vows. Moses clarifies and reinforces the laws as they apply to married women and under age girls. In one case, the woman’s husband has “veto” rights if his wife makes a “thoughtless” vow. In the case of a young girl still living at home, her father can annual the vow. Neither of these women will be guilty before the LORD for not following through. In the case of widowed or divorced women however, there is no one to veto the vow. It stands before God.
Instead of thinking of this as a limitation, see it as a protection for women. I like it that my Hubby has the ultimate responsibility before God. Whew!
Day 65— We have begun the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.
Day 65 – Numbers 26 – 27 (A new census, Passing the baton)
Chapter 26 is maybe a bit tedious to read with all its names and numbers. But it was very important to Israel. They are now about to conquer the Promised Land, and it will be divided up among the 12 tribes according to their number; bigger areas to bigger tribes, etc.
This census was also to determine that ALL of those who rebelled against God 38 years earlier and refused to go into the Land were dead. Remember at this point, only Joshua and Caleb (in their 80’s now), and their families, plus Moses remained. (26:64-65)
In the count of tribes, SEVEN had grown in size, while FIVE had decreased. The total number of Israelites 20 years of age and older (suitable for the army) was 1,820 fewer than the tally in chapter one. The Levites, who would receive no land as inheritance since the LORD Himself was their inheritance, had increased in number by 1,000.
Chapter 27 begins with a new problem. Five women, daughters of one man, came to Moses saying that their father had no sons and had died in the wilderness. Was their family to lose the rightful inheritance because there was no sons? Moses inquired of the LORD, Who said that the daughters were correct and they were given their father’s inheritance.
Then a NEW LAW was written for Israel about the Land and the absence of male heirs. The inheritance would first be given to the daughters, or, if none, to the diseased man’s the brothers, and then uncles. If none of these were alive, the “nearest kinsmen” of the tribe would possess it. (This very law will come up in the book of Ruth.)
Then, THAT time comes. God tells Moses to set apart Joshua to lead Israel in his place – because of his sin of “failing to uphold God as holy in the people’s eyes” at the waters of Meribah. So Moses takes Joshua before the high priest, Eleazar in the presence of all the people, and lays his hands on him as a symbol of passing his authority and leadership. And so, in the eyes of God and the people, Joshua is officially commissioned to lead the people into the Land when the time came.
Moses was not to die yet, but the people had confidence that they would not be left without a leader when he did.
Day 63 & 64— We have begun the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year now! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue till the end of the year. (Note: SUNDAY’s reading is combined with MONDAY’s)
Day 63 – Numbers 21 – 22 (War begins, snakes, singing, a prophet & donkey)
Numbers 21. After mourning for Aaron a month, the people begin the Canaanite campaign. The king of Arad attacks and takes some captives. Israel prays and they completely destroy them at Hormah. (Where 40 years earlier they’d try to do it against God’s will and been soundly defeated. (14:45))
Next they began the trek AROUND Edom and get impatient. They again complain against Moses, and the desert, and no food, and no water, and they are sick of Manna. Enough! God sends fiery serpents among the people to bite and kill them. Eeek! They repent and beg Moses to pray for them.
He does. God tells him to make a representative snake out of bronze and put it on a pole. He tells Moses that if the people LOOK on (not worship) the bronze snake in faith they will be healed. Moses did, they did, and they lived. (Jesus referenced this pole in John 3:14-15, saying that HE would be lifted up on a pole like that bronze snake, and people who looked on Him in faith would have eternal life.)
(Note: later Israel did begin to worship that bronze snake and it had to be destroyed. 2 Kings 18:4)
Perhaps with the excitement of finally approaching the Promised Land and defeating enemies and surviving poisonous snakes, Israel is seen/heard singing, first about a well that God provided for them, and then a song of anticipation of defeating Heshbon and Moab, and King Og of Bashan and Sihon, king of the Amorites.
Chapter 22 begins the confusing, and sometimes humorous story of King Balak and the seer/diviner Balaam. The king offers to pay Balaam to curse the hoard of Israel that he sees coming toward his land. Balaam inquires of the LORD, who says, NO, in no uncertain terms. They offer him more money, and he asks the LORD again, who says, Okay, you can go, but say only what I tell you.
(Why does God change his mind? Always for His glory we know! But after a firm denial, why say, okay. Well, isn’t Balaam like us? We don’t like a “no” answer, especially if we are losing a profit, and we keep praying (pestering) God who maybe says, Okay, go ahead, but it won’t be good. Perhaps that is happening here.)
So… Balaam goes along with the kings men, but says he will only say what God tells him (Boy, won’t THAT be true??) As Balaam is merrily riding along on his donkey, perhaps thinking of that huge monetary reward from King Balak, God’s anger is revealed. He sends what seemed like one of his mighty angels, but could be a very manifestation of God Himself to stop Balaam.
Balaam is blind to God in front of him, just as he was deaf to God’s instructions. But the DONKEY could see very well and shied away three times, making Balaam absolutely livid. (He must have looked so foolish to the kings men, not able to even control his own donkey! Tee-hee.)
He beats the donkey in anger, until God allows that animal to SPEAK! And then, BALAAM ARGUES BACK WITH THE DONKEY!!! (I wonder if the other men could see/hear what was going on, or if they only perceived Balaam as being totally crazy… or perhaps speaking to unseen spirits.) Anyway, Balaam finally is able to see the fiery being with a drawn sword. He confesses he has sinned and offers to go back home. But God, perhaps observing Balaam as more compliant now, sends him on, emphasizing again that he will only (be able to) speak what God says.
Once he arrives, and after King Balak makes a bunch of sacrifices, he takes Balaam up a high hill where he could view a fraction of the hoard of Israelites (To be continued tomorrow.)
In chapter 25, we left Balaam and King Balak on a hill overlooking a portion of Israel’s camp, but before he proclaims any curses, Balaam insists on seven bull & ram sacrifices and King Balak complies. (One wonders to whom or what they are sacrificing.) Then Balaam goes higher up the hill “to get the Word from God.” He returns and tells the King and the princes of Moab, “How can I curse what God has blessed?”
The King is understandably angry. “WHAT??? That’s what I’m paying you for!!
They try a different view, from Mt. Pisgah and offer another seven bulls and rams. Balaam inquires of God and returns with –
“God is not a 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
He has blessed and I cannot revoke it.”23:19-20
King Balak is furious. “Don’t bless. Don’t curse. Don’t speak at all!” But….. he takes Balaam to another hill, ditto on the sacrifices, but this time Balaam just begins his “blessings” on Israel, ending with part of the Abrahamic covenant, “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” 24:9b
Anger fills King Balak, but Balaam reminds him piously that he cannot but speak GOD’S WORDS. Then almost as a final jab, he prophesizes about how Israel will overcome their enemies…. including Moab. The two men part ways and return to their homes.
But Balaam, ACTS in favor of King Balak even though he cannot SPEAK curses. According to Numbers 31:16, he instructs the Moabites and Midianites how to provoke God’s anger against His own people, and they send in beautiful, seductive (idol-carrying) women to entice Israeli men.
And in Chapter 25, they fall for it. Sure enough, God’s anger is provoked and He instructs Moses to take all the chiefs (elders?) of the people and “hang them in the sun.” So as they were told, the judges of Israel kill those men who had yoked themselves to the idol Baal, via the women. But God also sends a plague among them.
Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, zealous for the LORD, takes a spear and goes after Zimri, the Simeonite, an arrogant man, who openly brought a Midianite woman into this tent in front of all the people in defiance to God. Phinehas thrusts the spear through the two of them while they were in the act.
God was pleased with Phinehas’ zeal and jealousy for His holiness, and stops the plague. God also blesses Phinehas’ line with a perpetual priesthood.
Day 62— Today we begin the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.
After the last few days of Levite rebellion and God’s swift punishment & affirmation of Aaron & Moses, it’s suitable in Chapter 18 for God to review the duties of Priests and Levites, and their compensation for service. The LORD reminds them that in the Promised Land, they will get no real inheritance of property, but will have Himself as their inheritance and provider.
Chapter 19 reviews the laws of purification after touching a dead body. (Remember in chapter 16, how God’s plague killed 14,700 rebels. Lots of handling and burying!)
Chapter 20, (as the end of the 40 wilderness years approaches) lists several SAD, but necessary, things. First, Miriam, Moses’ oldest sibling, dies and is buried in the Wilderness of Zin.
Next, at the “Waters of Meribah (“questioning”), the people – yes, this newer generation – again grumble about not having water for themselves and their animals, and yearn for the figs, grapes, and pomegranates of Egypt. (YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING, how can they even remember that?) And Moses loses it.
God tells him to take the staff (Aaron’s rod that budded?), assemble the people before a rock, and SPEAK to the rock, which will yield abundant water for them all. Moses is so fed up with these people (he’s 120 years old and has been with the grumblers for 40 years), that he, 1) gets the staff, 2) takes the people to the forementioned rock, and 3) speaks…. but NO! Moses STRIKES the rock, not once, but TWICE!!
God is faithful. Water flows to the ingrate people, but Moses’ fate is sealed. He WILL NOT lead the people into the Promised Land, but die at its boarder. Wow. Seems harsh, right? I mean, which of us wouldn’t be as frustrated at those millions of “babies” and lose our cool? Why would God condemn him for this ONE little human mistake?
Well, it is abject disobedience, of course, before the Priest and all the people. Punishable for a leader.
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But I’d like to consider a few other possible things. I’m thinking that in striking the rock this time, Moses “ruined” the “picture” or “type” of Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus our Lord is often called our ROCK of our salvation. He’s referred to as the corner stone. Jesus died for sin and experienced the wrath of God ONCE, on the cross. God approved and raised Him to life again. After that, Jesus told His disciples they could pray to God for anything in his name. They could (and should) confess their sin and ASK for forgiveness, and God would hear and answer (for Christ’s sake).
Jesus did NOT have to be crucified (sacrificed) again and again, like the bulls and rams in Moses’ time. He – once and for all time – took the wrath of God for sin, and whoever believes in Him can have eternal life (rivers of living water).
Picture Jesus as that rock at Mt. Horeb, struck once, and yielding abundant water for Israel. Then, Moses was just to SPEAK to the rock (ask, if you will) and water would flow. But he STRUCK the rock. It could be seen as having to crucify Jesus again to receive that eternal life.
This is how I see Moses’ sin. It does not say specifically in God’s Word that this is so, so take it as a possible suggestion. And also remember direct disobedience of a leader of God is very serious in it’s own right.
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After this incident, Moses continues to lead Israel toward the Promised Land. They are taking the route to the East of the Jordan River Valley/Dead Sea, which will take them right through the land of Edom. These people are descendants of Isaac. Esau/Edom was Jacob’s brother, so these would be their closest relatives. Moses asks permission to move through the land – NOT march forward as against enemies – and Edom refuses twice, and then brings out their army.
God had told Moses (Deut. 2:5) NOT to wage war on their “brothers” or even take any food or water from them, so Moses leads Israel the long way, around Edom and Mt. Seir, the land God had given to the descendants of Esau.
But before they start, at Mt. Hor, on the boarder of Edom, God tells Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar to the top of the mountain, remove the priestly vestige from Aaron and put it on his son, for Aaron will die there. It seems he was involved in some way in striking that rock, so he also could NOT enter the Land. Moses obeys, and when the people see him coming back with only Eleazar in priestly garb they know Aaron is dead, and they weep for him 30 days.
Day 61— Today we begin the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.
Day 61 – Numbers 16 – 17 (Rebellion among the elite & Aaron’s budding staff)
Yesterday, we left the camp of Israel defeated, despondent and angry. They’d been promised the Promise Land, but failed to enter. Now they face 40 LONG years of desert wandering. (The one year at Sinai was bad enough!) They’d even tried to elect a new leader and go back to Egypt.
Grumble, grumble. In Chapter 15, the rebellion goes to a higher level, to the Levite priests, to the elitist of priests, the ones responsible for the holy objects in the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant. The Kohathites, led by Korah.
They assemble themselves against Moses and Aaron. “You’ve gone too far!” They claim. All the congregation is holy, not just you!
In response does Moses argue? No! He falls on his face (in horror?) He says that God will decide in the morning whom He chooses. “You’ve gone too far, sons of Levi.” It’s against God you grumble, not Aaron.
“Who made you a prince over us?” they yell back.
Next morning Korah and all his gang meet at the entrance to the Tabernacle. God’s glory appeared to them all, and God told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves and all the “innocent” congregation from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan & Abiram (leaders in the high-rebellion).
Moses then puts a test before them. If nothing happens to these, then you will KNOW that I am not sent of God. But if the LORD opens the ground and swallows up them and all of theirs, then you will KNOW that they have despised the Lord.
Immediately the earth under them opened and swallowed the three men up, with their households and all the people and goods that belonged to them. Then the earth closed over them completely. And fire from God came down and consumed the 250 Kohathites with them who were falsely offering incense. Yikes!
AND STILL!!! the people grumbled against Moses & Aaron. God send a plague that quickly spread through the came. Moses told Aaron to take fire and incense from the alter and go among the people. He did, and as High Priest stood between the living and the already dead. And the plague from God that had killed 14,700 Israelites stopped.
Plagues!! These were supposed to be on the Egyptians, not the Children of God. Oh, how far they had strayed.
In Chapter 17, God further affirms Moses and Aaron as His chosen leaders before the people. A staff (a dry wooden pole) was gathered, one each from all the heads of tribes. These twelve, along with Aaron’s were placed in the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle – next to the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of Almighty God dwelled. The next day, the one marked with Aaron’s name had brought forth buds, blossomed, and bore ripe almonds. Overnight. Fruit from a dead stick. Proof positive.
(His staff was then stored in the Ark along with the tablets of stone and the jar of manna…. as a remembrance.)
And the people wail that they are “undone” by what they had … done. “Are we all to perish?” they cry.
Day 60 — We are still in the second month, but we’ve begun a new book! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.
Day 60 – Numbers 14 – 15, Psalm 90 – (Turning Back, Defeat, Promise, and a psalm of Moses)
Yesterday we saw the rebellious Israel turning from the Promised Land out of fear of the “giants in the land.”
Numbers 14 take up where we left off. Not only does Israel fear to go into the Land, the want to kill Moses, choose a new leader and GO BACK to Egypt. (Are you guys crazy??)
Joshua and Caleb plead with the people to enter the land, testifying that their God will surely give them victory. But the people decide to stone them. Only the appearance of the Shekinah Glory of the LORD stops them. God offers Moses a SECOND chance to become the progenitor of His people, and he refuses, stressing God’s honor and glory that is involved. He begs that God will PARDON their sin according to the greatness of His mercy.
God hears Moses’s intercession for these rebellious ingrates, and pardons them. But there is a consequence they must endure – 40 years of desert wanderings until THAT generation (age 20 and up) all die. Only their teen and young children will have the chance to receive that Promised Land. (Joshua & Caleb and their families will also be exempt.)
So, TURN AROUND and head into that dry and barren land……
But still the people rebel!! “No, we were wicked,” they confess. “We will go in as directed!” But it is too late. As they swarm forward – against God’s word, without Him, the Ark of the Covenant, and Moses – they suffer absolute defeat from the Amalekites and Canaanites, giving those pagan enemies a chance to gloat, deride, and shame the LORD God Almighty.
Can’t you just see God dusting his hands of them all and turning his back on Israel? But no. God, our God, is ever faithful to his promises and his people. Instead in Numbers 15, He speaks of WHEN the people of Israel come into the Land to inhabit it, which HE is giving them.
Whoa! Such grace and mercy. Sure, they will endure consequences of their sin. Sure, it will be their children who go in and conquer the land. But God does not utterly desert them. He even describes the offerings they will make to Him with the produce of that Land. He also distinguishes unintentional sins from outright defiance, giving grace to the one and harsh punishment to the other.
He reaffirms the importance of keeping the Sabbath sacred to Him, as He’s directed. And He tells ALL the people of Israel (not just priests) to make tassels on the corners of their garments, with a blue cord binding them, to remind them of all the commandments of the LORD which they are to obey and so be a holy nation go God.
Psalm 90 is the only psalm written my Moses. He writes of the eternality of God, and fact that man is made from dust. (Remember Moses wrote the book of Genesis too.) He writes of God’s majesty and man’s sins (even the secret ones). Man’s life – in contrast to God’s everlasting existence – is but 70-80 years, and is full of toil and trouble, and ends with a sigh. He asks God to teach his people how to “number” their days and apply their hearts to wisdom. Then he ends with pleas for God’s presence and love and power and favor to be with and on his children.
Day 58 — We are still in the second month, but we’ve begun a new book! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.
Day 58 – Numbers 8 – 10 (Levites,, Passover, the Cloud, Bye-bye Sinai)
In chapter 8, Another ceremony is instigated of setting apart of the whole tribe of Levi, as the representatives of God’s “first born.” God also sets the age of retirement for priests at 50 years old. They may still guard the Tabernacle, but no long serve in it.
In chapter 9, the whole of Israel celebrates Passover the first time since the original one the night of their escape from Egypt. Some people were worried, that if they had become unclean from, say touching a dead body, they weren’t able to celebrate on that day. God gave lenience and said they, and whoever might be on a long journey, could celebrate it a month later. (How kind is our God!)
Directions were made clear also about the “cloud” or visible presence of God with Israel. When it rested, covering the Tabernacle, they were to remain in that encampment. However, if it lifted, they were to pack up and follow wherever it led. Whether it rested in one spot two days, a month, or even longer, Israel was not to move, but to always to look to God for their direction.
Numbers 10. Also, because they were to be traveling, God told Moses to tell them about a series of trumpet blasts, as a sort of message, especially to those camped at a distance. Different trumpets and blasts would be used to summon the people together (say for an important meeting), and at other times, the blasts would signal the breaking of camp. And also, the different blasts would signal how each of the four encampments would set out – decently and in order, as aways.
And finally, just after Passover (as in the first time) the now “nation” of Israel (complete with spiritual leaders and army) was to set out in stages from Mt. Sinai towards the Promised Land. Judah, with Issachar and Zebulun set out first, Next the Gershonites and Merarites, two of the Levite clans, would leave with the Tabernacle structure . After them, Reuben with Simeon and Gad left, followed by the Kohathites caring the Holy furnishings of the Tabernacle. (Except the Ark of the Covenant, which would lead everything.) Next Ephraim with Manasseh and Benjamin would follow, and finally Dan with Asher and Naphtali would march out, as Israel’s rear guard.
And so they set out on a three-day journey. I can imagine the great joy and excitement they felt, as the newly consecrated and organized people of God, with His laws and ordinances firmly set in their minds, finally realized they were now heading toward their destiny, the Land that God had promised to Abraham so many years before. It was happening at last! What could go wrong?
Day 69 – Numbers 35 – 36 (Provisions for Levites, manslayers, young women)
Morning Meditations 