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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

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