Skip to main content

February 17 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 48

The Israelite population is about to decrease.  Consequently, a new generation of people, and a new leader, will take their place as those who will inherit the promise of God.

DAILY READINGS

Numbers 25-27 & Psalm 48

DAILY NOTES

Numbers 25:1-5
  • The people (men) became sexually and, consequentially, religiously involved withe Moabite women.  We are to understand that these Israelites began to participate fully in the religious activities of the Moabites. 
Numbers 25:4
  • The people guilty of spiritual idolatry are hanged.  
  • "In the sun" is so that everyone will see them. 
Numbers 26
  • A census is taken of the new generation of people.  No one who was counted in the old census is around to be counted in the new one.  
  • The census, besides indicating military numbers, also provides an avenue to apportion the land the people will be given.
Numbers 27:1-4
  • 5 daughters seek to inherit their father's land.  Since he had no sons, his name would have been forgotten if the daughters did not speak up on his behalf.
  • These women were brave, wise and persistent.
  • Their action paves the way for future generations of women to be cared for in the same way.
Numbers 12-23
  • Moses is reminded of his punishment (Numbers 20).  
  • Moses keeps his concern for the people, asking God to provide for them a leader.
  • Joshua has already proven himself to be faithful.  Now, it is affirmed he has "the spirit" in him.  
  • Moses is told to give Joshua some of his glory/splendor.  Remember how Moses' face would radiate back in Exodus 34?
Psalm 48
  • The city of God is an honored place.
  • Within the city, the temple of God is a place for the people to ponder God's love and experience his power.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

You know how we joke about all those names in the Bible?  Have you ever just thought: "I'll skim through those; I don't need to know them."

You're probably who the daughters from Numbers 27 thought about.  They were wise (brave) enough to think to ask Moses to include their dead father's name as a part of the inheritance.  Otherwise, since he had no sons, he would have been a name that doesn't get recorded and, consequently, forgotten forever.

We do the same thing today.  How many plagues does your church have with someone's name on it?  We make those to remember our friends and relatives who have done something for us, or our church.

It's important for us to remember our family's faith.  Personally, I'd find a better way than a plague, but the desire is the same.  In doing so, we honor their faith, their life and remember their connection to our life and faith.  Hopefully, in doing so, not only do we remember there have been so many others who have impacted our faith, others also are reminded.

Stay blessed...john

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more