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

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 23 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 143 DAILY READINGS Job 12-15 & Psalm 138 DAILY NOTES Job 12 Surely, Job says, his friends don't think they're the only ones with wisdom?  Plus, they are telling him anything that isn't known by all.   Maybe they aren't as smart as they think they are? God holds true wisdom.  "With God are wisdom and strength" (vs. 13). Job 13 Job's friends have taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of God.  Job considers their representation to be false because they have not considered Job's condition. Job 14 Job's prayer to God continues. We see a bit of the book's larger vision in these verses.  Job recognizes, and wants God to remember, that all humanity shares the same days of life.   Job 15 Eliphaz considers that Job's questioning hinders God and would keep others from knowing God. Psalm 138 The praise of the psalmist is a communal act.   God has been faithful and the psalmist wants to thank God...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 13 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 72 Are you familiar with Gideon?  Do you know why the people who leave Bibles in hotel rooms call themselves the Gideons?   Well, let's read about Gideon first and found out about the Gideons later. DAILY READINGS Judges 6-8 & Psalm 72 DAILY NOTES Judges 6:1-10 The Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites.  They are forced to flee to the mountains and caves.  The Israelites were "impoverished" and the land was "wasted."   The Israelites call out to God.  A prophet arose to confirm their current situation is due to their turning away from God.  Scripture doesn't tell us who the prophet was, but Jewish commentary offers a name. Judges 6:12 Gideon is approached by an angel of the Lord.  He is called a "mighty warrior."   Judges 6:22 After the sign Gideon asks for comes to pass, he believes he has seen the angel of God and believes what he has told him.   Judges 6:25-27 ...
Post a Comment
Read more