Aaron & Miriam spoke against Moses for marrying and Ethiopian woman. They also wondered aloud why Moses was the chosen leader, claiming that he was not the only only that God could speak through. However, God called them all to the entrance to the tabernacle and spoke in Moses' favor. He also afflicted Miriam with … Continue reading Dissension & Discovery (Numbers 12 – 13)
The Elders and the Quail (Numbers 11:16 – 35)
The Lord spoke with Moses concerning his need for help in leading the people. While Moses had been a great leader, the people numbered over 600,000 men plus women and children. Some estimate over 3,000,000 people were included in Israel. God had Moses to call the seventy elders to the tabernacle, and the cloud descended … Continue reading The Elders and the Quail (Numbers 11:16 – 35)
Departure from Sanai: The Israelites Complain (Numbers 10:11 – 11:15)
When the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel broke camp in the order prescribed by God through Moses. They began to follow the cloud from Sanai to the Wilderness of Paran. Moses would announce the movement of the people as follows In Numbers 10: 35 So it was, whenever the ark set … Continue reading Departure from Sanai: The Israelites Complain (Numbers 10:11 – 11:15)
The Cloud and the Fire; Two Silver Trumpets (Numbers 9:15 – 10:10)
The pillar of fire and cloud (cloud by day, fire by night) was a symbol of God's leading presence. When the cloud descended, the people would camp and stay in that place as long as the cloud was above the tabernacle. When the cloud rose up, though, the children of Israel would tear down camp … Continue reading The Cloud and the Fire; Two Silver Trumpets (Numbers 9:15 – 10:10)
The Second Passover (Numbers 9:1 – 14)
The Passover was a permanent feast to be observed by the children of Israel. They were to eat a meal fashioned exactly as it was on the original Passover evening. The regulations concerning it are rehearsed briefly, and then Moses moves on to discuss contingencies. If someone was defiled by a human corpse, then they … Continue reading The Second Passover (Numbers 9:1 – 14)
How Do I Love “We?” (Learning to Love One Another): The Better Way (1 Corinthians 13)
1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NKJV) 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove … Continue reading How Do I Love “We?” (Learning to Love One Another): The Better Way (1 Corinthians 13)
Lamps and Levites (Numbers 8)
Aaron was tasked with arranging the lamps in the most Holy Place. They were to be arranged to give light in front of the lampstand. The light of God is to be seen as brilliant and holy in all cases. The Levites were to be cleansed and dedicated. They would be sprinkled with water of … Continue reading Lamps and Levites (Numbers 8)
The Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:22 – 7:89)
In Numbers 6:22–27 (NKJV), God outlines the formula for The Priestly Blessing: 22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine … Continue reading The Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:22 – 7:89)
Unfaithful Wives and the Law of the Nazarite (Numbers 5:11 – 6:21)
In the event a husband became jealous of his wife, whether she was guilty of infidelity or not, the man should take his wife to the priest for a test. He would offer a grain offering of jealousy, which would determine if the wife was guilty or not. The test is a bit cryptic, with … Continue reading Unfaithful Wives and the Law of the Nazarite (Numbers 5:11 – 6:21)
The Unclean, Confession, and Restitution (Numbers 5:1 – 10)
The isolation of the unclean was for a specific reason: the Israelites basically quarantined all people who had possibly infectious diseases, or those who had touched the dead, as the dead could harbor disease as well. While this had a physical application, the spiritual application should be obvious as well: those things that have a … Continue reading The Unclean, Confession, and Restitution (Numbers 5:1 – 10)
Devoted To You 