When Israel left Mt. Hor they went around the land of Edom. The people became very discouraged, and spoke against God and Moses. The complained of no water or food. In response, God sent serpents among the people, and many died from the poisonous bites. The people then came to Moses, repentant for their complaining … Continue reading The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4 – 20)
The Death of Aaron (Numbers 20:22 – 21:3)
Moses and Aaron were called up to Mount Hor for an orderly succession of power from Aaron to his son Eleazar as high priest. Once Aaron was stripped of his priestly garments, they were placed on Eleazar and the transfer was complete. After that, Aaron died and was buried on the mountain. He was not … Continue reading The Death of Aaron (Numbers 20:22 – 21:3)
Edom Refuses Passage to Israel (Numbers 20:14 – 21)
The Edomites were descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). When Moses sent envoys to Edom asking for passage through their land, the request was met with rejection. Even though Israel said they would need no water or food from the land, they still denied them under threat of the sword. When the envoys … Continue reading Edom Refuses Passage to Israel (Numbers 20:14 – 21)
Cleansing from Death: the Red Heifer, and Water From the Rock: Disobedience (Numbers 19:1 – 20:13)
The Lord gave Moses and Aaron the means whereby those who touch anything dead might be cleansed. The Children of Israel would provide a red heifer "without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come." The priest, in this case Eleazar, would take the animal outside the camp … Continue reading Cleansing from Death: the Red Heifer, and Water From the Rock: Disobedience (Numbers 19:1 – 20:13)
Tithes for the Levites (Numbers 18:21 – 32)
In addition to the abundant offerings of the Israelites, there were also tithes given into the tabernacle, which went for the support of the Levites as well. This was thought of as a heave offering. Whether this was part of the aforementioned heave offerings or not is slightly uncertain, but the nature of the discussion … Continue reading Tithes for the Levites (Numbers 18:21 – 32)
The Support of the Priests (Numbers 18:8 – 20)
The priests were to have charge over all the holy gifts of the children of Israel. From these gifts, those not reserved to be burned up were the property of the priests. Grain offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings were to be eaten in a most holy place. The heave offerings and wave offerings could … Continue reading The Support of the Priests (Numbers 18:8 – 20)
The Budding of Aaron’s Rod (Numbers 17:1 – 18:7)
Those who doubted Aaron's place as the head of the priestly line of Jacob were called to a meeting where all the tribal leaders were told to bring a rod with them. The rod of the tribe of the Levites was inscribed with Aaron's name, as he was their tribal head. The rods were left … Continue reading The Budding of Aaron’s Rod (Numbers 17:1 – 18:7)
Rebellion Against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16)
Korah and 250 representatives of the tribes of Israel withstood Moses and challenged him on his role as leader of Israel. Korah wanted all Israelites to be equal. Moses accepted the challenge, telling them that God would decide who was truly His and holy. These men included Levites, who served the temple. Moses instructed them … Continue reading Rebellion Against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16)
The Sabbath and the Garment Tassels (Numbers 15:32 – 41)
The children of Israel found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath and came to Moses to see what should be done to him. The Lord said that he must be put to death. They stoned him and he died. The Lord told the children of Israel to make tassels on the corners of their … Continue reading The Sabbath and the Garment Tassels (Numbers 15:32 – 41)
Unintentional and Presumptuous Sin (Numbers 15:22 – 31)
God made provision for Israel to be forgiven for unintentional sins by making a way for Israel to be forgiven, even for those sins that the nation does not know about. Whether an individual or the nation were to sin unintentionally, the sin could be forgiven by an offering of a young bull on behalf … Continue reading Unintentional and Presumptuous Sin (Numbers 15:22 – 31)
Devoted To You 