Skip to main content

February 21 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 52

We're finishing the book of Numbers today.  We've traveled through the desert and are making final preparations before entering the promised land of God.  

DAILY READINGS

Numbers 35-36 & Psalm 52



DAILY NOTES

Numbers 35
  • This chapter is divided into 2 sections.  
    • The first half outlines the cities that are to be given to the Levites; the Levites do not have inherited land because God is their inheritance.
    • The second half describes what to do when someone kills another, either unintentionally or as murder.  
  • Notice the role of the avenger.  He (I presume it would always be a man) has a duty that he must fulfill.  In Verse 25 illustrates the seriousness of his task--the congregation might have to "rescue" someone who kills another unintentionally from the slayer.
  • The slayer must reside in the refuge city until the high priest dies.
Numbers 36
  • The final chapter deals with property of tribal families.  This is based on the decision made in Numbers 27.  From this, women are to  marry only men from their father's tribe--whom they "think best" (Numbers 36:6).
Psalm 52
  • This psalm is written in response to the events of 1 Samuel 21.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Yes, the time spent in the desert was a punishment to the people.  But consider what they learned in the desert.  I remember someone saying something like, "When you're in the desert, you find out what you really believe."  The desert became the place God instructed the people.  It was where they learned who they were to be and what their new life would look like. 

Could they have just learned that on the go in the promised land?  Probably.  Did the people's time in the desert make them a perfect people?  Absolutely not!

Still, the desert experience has become a reminder of our need to fully trust in God's direction and provision.  Our tendency is to try to avoid the "deserts" of our life.  Interestingly, though, when Jesus gets his call, it's the first place the Spirit leads him.

So, if you're wandering in a desert, keep your focus on what God wants you to learn.  You won't be there forever, but the things you learn may impact your life that long.

Stay blessed...john

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).   Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.   Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...
Post a Comment
Read more

June 18 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 169 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 4-6 & Psalm 14 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 4 Perhaps the people swore "As the Lord lives," but they did not do so in truth, justice or uprightness.  That's a sobering reminder that our words about God must match the way we live. Jeremiah (God) wants the people to move from an empty adherence to a covenant behavior (circumcision) to an attitude of praise before God.  In other words, empty religion is not appealing to God. God will ask the people to "wash" their heart "clean of wickedness" (Verse 14). Jeremiah feels as if God has deceived the people (Verse 10).  Maybe God didn't predict the peace Jeremiah was thinking of.  False prophets? Jeremiah 5 The same theme.  There were people who said, "As the Lord lives," because that was the religious thing to say.  But God says there is not one person who acts justly or seeks truth.  The people used the right words, but lived the wrong way.  #Pr...
Post a Comment
Read more

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more