After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God gave Israel some final instructions before entering Canaan (Numbers 33:50-56), the land He had promised to Abraham hundreds of years before .  God was very specific in commanding the Israelites to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan (33:51-52a, 53), remove any objects or places used for the worship of false gods (33:52b), and divide the land evenly among the tribes (33:54).  Failure to obey any of God’s commands would result in His judgment on Israel (33:55-56).  Before moving forward into Canaan, God also appointed the boundaries of the land so that the children of Israel would know the borders of the land that was rightfully given to them (34:1-15).  Eleazar, Joshua, and the leaders of the ten tribes were specified as the ones who would assign the portions of the land once Israel had conquered Canaan (34:16-29).  The tribe of Levi was responsible for assisting the people in worship in the tabernacle and was given 48 cities throughout Canaan (35:1-8).  Although the Levites did not inherit a plot of land for their tribe (Numbers 18:20), they were given places to live throughout Canaan so they could serve the spiritual needs of Israel.

Of the 48 cities given to the Levites, six of them would become cities of refuge (35:9-34).  Cities of refuge were locations where a man who accidentally killed someone could flee and be protected from revenge until he could stand before a congregation in judgment (35:9-15).  If the man killed someone with an object considered lethal, he would be guilty of murder and the avenger was permitted to put him to death (35:16-19).  Any type of premeditated action that resulted in the murder of another would be considered punishable by death (35:20-21); however, if a murder took place without premeditation, the congregation would decide the motive and lay down a sentence (35:22-24).  If the congregation found that he was not guilty of premeditated murder, the man could stay in the city of refuge without fear of vengeance (35:25-28).  He would be permitted to leave the city of refuge and return to his city of origin when the High-Priest died (35:28b).  In the event of a homicide, the guilty man would be put to death on the basis of the testimony of more than one witness (35:30).  No ransom could be paid to free a murderer from the death penalty or a city of refuge (35:31-32).  The murder of a human being was a serious matter and needed to be handled in accordance to God’s laws.  If Israel did not properly handle incidents of murders, the land would become defiled and God could no longer dwell in their midst (35:33-34).

In Numbers 27:1-11 a situation had arisen concerning the inheritance of five daughters whose father had no sons to pass down his inheritance to following his death.  It was determined that the daughters would rightfully inherit the land of their deceased father.  However, if those daughters married men from other tribes, the land that the daughters inherited from their deceased father would now become the property of another tribe (36:1-4).  This meant that a particular tribe’s total land would be reduced and the other tribe’s land would be multiplied.  Moses listened to the complaints and commanded that any woman who had inherited land from her father was only permitted to marry within her own ancestral tribe (36:5-6).  No land could pass from one tribe to anther (36:7-9).  The five daughters of Zelophehad obeyed the command of Moses and married men from their ancestral tribe, which meant that the land would also stay with the tribe (36:10-12).

The book of Numbers concludes with these words, “These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho” (36:13).  This statement confirms that the words written in Numbers were directly from God and intended to be obeyed by all of Israel.  If Israel obeyed the commandments in this book, they would experience God’s blessings.  But if Israel disobeyed that which was written in Numbers they would invite God’s judgment upon them.

Dear God, may I obey Your words.  

In Numbers 25 Moses recorded an incident where Israel was seduced by the women of Moab to participate in sacrifices to their gods, which would have included sexually immoral actions.  Because Israel had joined themselves in worship of other gods, they were judged by a plague that spread throughout the camp killing 24,000 people.  God commanded Moses to attack the Midianites, the group of people who led Israel to worship other gods (Numbers 25:17-18).  The details of this attack are documented in Numbers 31:1-24.  God spoke to Moses saying, “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel.  Afterward you shall be gathered to your people” (31:1-2), which meant that Moses would die following the attack of the Midianites.  Moses gathered up 12,000 soldiers to war against the Midianites and also sent Phineas, the priest (31:3-6).  The Israelite army killed all the males (31:7-8), took the women and children captive (31:9a), gathered the spoil (31:9b, 11), and burned the cities (31:10).  The soldiers brought the women, children,  and the spoil to Moses and Eleazar, the priest (31:12-13); however, Moses was angry with them for bringing back the women alive (31:14-16).  Since these women were responsible for leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, Moses demanded that every captive be killed except the virgin women (31:17-18).  Although this demand from Moses may seem harsh, it would guarantee the extinction of the Midianites so that they could never lead Israel astray again.  Moses then also commanded that any soldier who had killed a man or touched a dead body should remain outside the camp seven days and purify themselves on the third and seventh day (31:19).  Any made of leather, goat hair, or wood should also remain outside the camp and be purified (31:20).  Eleazar added that the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead spoils should be put through fire and then the water of purification to be cleansed (31:21-23a); however, any spoils that could not endure fire should be cleansed with water only (31:23b).  On the seventh day those who were unclean were to wash their clothes and then they were permitted to come into the camp (31:24).  The Lord then gave Moses specific instructions on dividing the spoils evenly among Israel (31:25-47).  An account of the soldiers who went to war was taken and there was not one missing (31:48-49).  This brought joy to the men and they expressed their thankfulness by giving an offering of their spoils to God (31:48-54).

After conquering the Midianites, the tribes of Reuben and Gad looked upon the land and saw that it was a good place for their livestock so they requested to establish themselves east of the Jordan River outside of Canaan (32:1-5).  Moses was initially discouraged by their request because he believed that their settling outside of Canaan would compromise the morale of the other tribes and cause them to also want to establish themselves outside of Canaan (32:6-7).  Moses also reminded them of the sins of their fathers who had refused to conquer Canaan 38 years before, which aroused the anger of the Lord against Israel and caused Him to prohibit them from inhabiting Canaan (32:8-15).  Upon hearing the concerns of Moses, the two tribes assured Moses that although they were settling outside Canaan their soldiers would accompany the rest of the tribes until they had conquered the inhabitants of Canaan (32:16-19).  When Moses heard their plans, he agreed to it and established their promise in the hearing of Eleazar, Joshua, and the fathers of the tribes of Israel (32:16-32).  Moses then allocated the land outside Canaan to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, who were probably latecomers to the agreement (32:33-42).

Israel was poised to overtake Canaan, but first God commanded Moses to document a list of Israel’s encampments during their 40 year journey in the wilderness (33:1-49).  Reviewing Israel’s journey would highlight God’s faithfulness to them in the wilderness and provide confidence that He was also able to lead them into Canaan.  The Lord then spoke to Moses and gave him the following instructions for the conquest of Canaan, “When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess” (33:50-53).  When Israel had done these things they were to divide the land according to size of family and the size of the land (33:54).  God also gave the Israelites a stern warning.  If they failed to drive out all of the Canaanites, they would be constant trouble for them, which would eventually end in Israel losing their inheritance (33:55-56).  Israel needed to make sure that they followed God’s commands so they would not experience His judgment.

Dear God, give me ears to hear and a will to obey. 

Forty years had passed since Israel left Egyptian bondage in 1445 BC.  The nation spent so many years wandering in the wilderness because of their disobedience and failure to believe in God’s provision.  After the older generation of Israel had died off, the next generation was awaiting their entrance into the land that had been promised to them (Numbers 26:63-65).  Israel was currently encamped in the plains of Moab, which was located across the Jordan River from Jericho (Numbers 26:3).  Since they were on the verge of inhabiting Canaan, God reminded Israel regarding certain laws and offerings so that they would practice them when they arrived in the land (Numbers 27-30).  The first law discussed was the inheritance law (27:1-11).  The five daughters of Zelophehad came before Moses and Eleazar saying, “Our father died in the wilderness….  He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons.  Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons?  Give us property along with the rest of our relatives” (27:1-4, NLT).  In this culture the distribution of land was given to the male heads of the family, this situation would have left the daughters without land in Canaan which would have caused their family to eventually become extinct.  Moses consulted the Lord and He told him that the daughters should be given the inheritance (27:5-8).  If a man died without sons or daughters, his inheritance was to be passed on to his brothers (27:9).  The inheritance of the man who died without sons, daughters, or living brothers should be given to the relative closest to him (27:10-11).

After handling this situation, the Lord commanded Moses to go up into Mount Abarim so that he could see the land which would be given to Israel (27:12); however, Moses would never inhabit the land since he had disobeyed God at Kadesh (27:14; also Numbers 20:1-13).  Moses would die before Israel inhabited Canaan (27:13).  Because Moses could not lead Israel into the Promised Land, God set Joshua over the people (27:15-23).  The Lord told Moses to “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight.  And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.  He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim.  At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation” (27:18-21).

Joshua would become the successor of Moses so now God wanted to remind the younger generation about the offerings they were to observe when the settled in Canaan.  The daily offerings (Numbers 28:1-8) were established in Exodus 29:38-42.  Two male lambs in their first year without blemish were to be offered by fire – one in the morning and one in the evening.  Although the Sabbath had already been established (Exodus 20:8-11), the Sabbath offerings (Numbers 28:9-10) had not.  This offering was to consist of a burnt offering as well as two lambs a year old along with a drink and grain offering.  Monthly offerings (Numbers 28:11-15) were also newly established here.  On the first day of each month, a burnt offering was to be given along with two young bulls, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs in their first year.  A grain and drink offering was to accompany each animal.  The Lord also reminded Israel concerning offerings at Passover (Numbers 28:16-25; also Leviticus 23:5-8), offerings at the Feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26-31; also Leviticus 23:18), offerings at the Feast of Trumpets (Numbers 29:1-6; also Leviticus 23:23-25), offerings on the Day of Atonement (Numbers 29:7-11; also Leviticus 23:27-32), and offerings at the Feast of Tabernacles (Numbers 29:12-40; also Leviticus 23:33-43).  Moses also took some time to remind Israel about laws concerning vows (Numbers 30:1-16).  Even though Moses had already established laws regarding vows in Leviticus 27:1-33, he restated the principle that a man who makes a vow to the Lord was required to keep it (Numbers 30:2).  Numbers 30:3-16 also added that a man was responsible for any vows made by a woman within his household.  God wanted Israel to be aware of all these laws and offerings before they entered the land, so these words would have been an important reminder to the next generation to obey all that God had required.

Dear God, help me to teach the next generation about Your laws. 

It is the 40th year of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness and they had finally moved into the plains of Moab (Numbers 21) where they intended to conquer the people who were currently inhabiting Canaan, the land that was promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3).  Israel was encamped in Acacia Grove, which was the area across the Jordan River from Jericho; however, while they were settled in this region, “…the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab” (25:1).  Moses writes that the Moabites “…invited the people [Israelites] to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods” (25:2).  By engaging in sexual immorality and worship of another god, they were in violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) which caused God’s anger to be aroused against Israel (25:3).  The Lord then commanded Moses to put to death all those who defiled themselves (25:4), so he obeyed the voice of the Lord (25:5).  While all this was happening, “…one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting” (25:6; see Numbers 25:14-15 for the offenders’ identity).  When Phineas, grandson of Aaron the priest, saw this man’s open rebellion take place he took a javelin and thrust it through the Israelite man and the Moabite woman (25:7-8a).  Phineas’ passion for holiness and purity caused the plague to stop spreading throughout Israel, but not before 24,000 people had died (25:8b-9).  This incident is a stern reminder that God does not allow sin to go unpunished.  The zealous actions of Phineas were noticed by the Lord who declared that all future High Priests would come from his descendants (25:10-13).  Following this incident God commanded that Moses attack the Midiantes for their deceitful seduction of certain Israelites (25:16-17).  The details of this attack are described in Numbers 31.

After the plague had spread across Israel and killed 24,000 people, the Lord told Moses and Eleazar to take a census of all men 20 and above who were able to go to war (26:1-4).  The first census of all the soldiers had been taken over 38 years ago (Numbers 1).  Here are the numbers from the first and second census compared:

Reuben – 46,500 (1:21)/43,730 (26:5-11)
Simeon – 59,300 (1:22-23)/22,200 (26:12-14)
Gad – 45,650 (1:24-25)/40,500 (26:15-18)
Judah – 74,600 (1:26-27)/76,500 (26:19-22)
Issachar – 54,400 (1:28-29)/64,300 (26:23-25)
Zebulun – 57,400 (1:30-31)/60,500 (26:26-27)
Ephraim – 40,500 (1:32-33)/32,500 (26:35-37)
Manasseh – 32,200 (1:34-35)/52,700 (26:28-34)
Benjamin – 35,400 (1:36-37)/45,600 (26:38-41)
Dan – 62,700 (1:38-39)/64,400 (26:42-43)
Asher – 41,500 (1:40-41)/53,400 (26:44-47)
Naphtali – 53,400 (1:42-43)/45,400 (26:48-50)

This made the total number of soldiers available for battle 601,730 (26:51).  The Lord also commanded that after Israel conquered Canaan, the land be divided among the tribes according to their size (26:52-56).  The Levites were counted separately from the soldiers because of their duties in the tabernacle.  The first census of the Levites had been taken over 38 years before and revealed that there were 22,00 available for priestly service (Numbers 3), but this second census of the Levites determined that there were now 23,000 qualified males for duties in the tabernacle (26:57-62).  This chapter ends on a very sad note.  Of all the people who had been numbered in the first census 38 years earlier (Numbers 1:19), only Joshua and Caleb remained alive (26:63-65).  All the others had been sentenced to die in the wilderness because they lacked faith in God to give them victory over the people inhabiting Canaan (Numbers 14).

Dear God, help me to walk in continued obedience to Your ways. 

Israel is in her 40th year of wandering in the wilderness and has finally moved into the plains of Moab (Numbers 21) with the intention of conquering the people who are inhabiting Canaan, the land that was promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3).  When Balak, Moab’s king, heard about Israel conquering the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-31) he became fearful that his people and land would also be destroyed (22:2-4) so he sent for Balaam, a pagan prophet, and offered him money to pronounce a curse on Israel (22:5-7).  Balaam’s journey to meet Balak was halted by a bizarre encounter between his donkey and the Angel of the Lord.  The Angel permitted Balaam to continue on his journey to meet Balak, but he commanded him to only speak the words that He gave him (22:35).

After Balaam arrived in Moab to meet Balak, both of them went to the “high places of Baal,” which is the place where pagan sacrifices and sorcery were often practiced (22:41).  Balak’s ultimate goal in bringing Balaam to the high place was so that he could pronounce a curse on Israel in order to prevent them from conquering his people and land.  Upon their arrival at the high place, Balaam commanded Balak to offer sacrifices while he went to a desolate place to hear from the Lord (23:1-3).  Balaam would receive four separate prophecies directly from the Lord to give to Balak: Numbers 23:4-12, Numbers 23:13-26, Numbers 23:27-24:14, and Numbers 24:15-25.  Balaam’s first prophecy (Numbers 23:4-12) revealed that the Lord would not curse Israel, whom He had prospered.  Balak was angered by the words of Balaam and said, “What have you done to me?  I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully!” (23:11).  Balaam responded to Balak by simply declaring that he was only speaking the words God had given to him (23:12).  Balak made another attempt to get Balaam to curse Israel (23:13-18), which resulted in Balaam’s second prophecy (Numbers 23:13-26).  This prophecy of Balaam stated that even though Israel had repeatedly sinned against Him (23:21), God was determined to bless them and give the nation of Israel victory over all of their enemies (23:18-24).  After hearing this second prophecy, Balak asked Balaam to neither bless nor curse Israel (23:25), but Balaam admitted that he could only do what God told him to do (23:26).  Balak pleaded with Balaam a third time to curse Israel (23:27-30); however, Balaam finally realized that it was in God’s plan to bless Israel (24:1).  ”And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him” (24:2), which brought about Balaam’s third prophecy (Numbers 23:27-24:14).  It was at this point that Balaam finally understood the truth of God and gave testimony to His eyes being opened by the Spirit of God regarding Israel (24:3-7).  Furthermore, Balaam also declared God’s plan in delivering Israel from bondage and eventually giving her a Messiah, who would bring blessing upon the world (24:8-9).  The third blessing on Israel greatly aroused Balak’s anger against Balaam, but the prophet answered that he was only speaking the words of God (24:10-13).  Balaam then told Balak that he was going to reveal what would happen to his people in the future, which is Balaam’s fourth prophecy (Numbers 24:15-25).  In this final prophecy to Balak, Balaam predicts the coming of Israel’s king, whom he refers to as “a Star out of Jacob” and a “Scepter” who will rise out of Israel (24:17a).  This future king of Israel will destroy Moab and be victorious over Edom (24:17b-19).  Balaam also prophesies that Amalek will perish (24:20), the Kenites will be taken captive by the Assyrians (24:21-22), and ships from Cyprus would afflict Asshur and Eber (24:23-24).  After speaking these four prophecies, Balaam returned home and Balak also went on his way (24:25).  This is an amazing story of how God used a pagan prophet to declare good on Israel, even when others wished evil upon them.  Balaam simply spoke the words of God and revealed God’s future plans for Israel and her coming King.

Dear God, use me to speak on Your behalf.  May I only declare the words that You have given me. 

Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years following their miraculous escape from 430 years of Egyptian captivity (Exodus 12:29-51).  Although God was leading them to the land He had promised Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Israel’s complaining and disobedience had caused God to delay their entrance into Canaan; in fact, the older generation was sentenced to die in the wilderness before ever inhabiting the land (Numbers 14).  By the fortieth year of Israel’s wanderings, most of the older generation had died off and now the people began their conquest on the current inhabitants of Canaan.  After several battles with their enemies, Israel had taken control of the Transjordan and was currently encamping in the plains of Moab just across from Jericho (Numbers 22:1).  Israel’s conquest on Canaan was imminent.

When Balak, king of Moab, observed Israel’s conquering of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-31) he became fearful that his people and land would also be destroyed (22:2-4).  In order to prevent Moab’s destruction, Balak sent for Balaam, a pagan prophet, and offered him money to pronounce a curse on Israel (22:5-7).  Balaam told the messengers to lodge for the night and that he would return to them the next day with the answer from the Lord (22:8).  Even though Balaam was a pagan prophet (Deuteronomy 23:3-6; 2 Peter 2:15-16), God spoke to him, but informed him that He should not pronounce a curse on Israel (22:9-12).  Balaam returned to the messengers sent from Balak and told them to go back to their land because God would not allow him to go with them (22:13).  When the messengers reported that Balaam refused to return with them, Balak sent honorable men and more money in hopes that Balaam would come with them in order to pronounce a curse on Israel (22:14-17).  Balaam told the men to stay the night and then the Lord appeared to him that very evening and said, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do” (22:18-20).  Balaam arose the next day, saddled his donkey, and accompanied the men to Moab where he would meet Balak (22:21); however, on his journey to Moab, the Lord became angry at Balaam for going with the men (22:22a).  Why did God get angry at Balaam when He was the one who told him to go?  The Lord knew that Balaam was only going to Balak for financial gain (2 Peter 2:15-16).  As a punishment for his selfish motives, God sent an Angel of the Lord to stand in his way (22:22).  When Balaam’s donkey saw the Angel with his sword drawn standing in the road, the donkey ran into the field but Balaam struck the donkey in order to get her back on the road (22:23).  The Angel appeared again and the donkey pushed herself into a wall and smashed the foot of Balaam, so he hit her once more (22:24-25).  The Angel made a third appearance but this time the donkey could not turn to the right or the left so she simply laid down under Balaam (22:26-27a).  The donkey’s repeated “stubbornness” angered Balaam so he hit the animal a third time (22:27b), but the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she spoke to Balaam saying, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (22:28).  Balaam responded to the donkey and said, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” (22:29).  The donkey spoke to Balaam once again saying, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed [contrary] to do this to you?” (22:30).  At that very moment, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the middle of the road with his sword drawn (22:31).  Balaam fell on his face and the Angel exposed that the reason he had been stopped was because of his selfish motives (22:32-33).  After being confronted with his wickedness, Balaam confessed his wrongdoing and the Angel of the Lord allowed him to continue with the men but commanded him to only speak the words he was told to speak (22:34-35).  Balaam accompanied the princes of Balak to Moab and Balak came out to meet him, but Balaam told him that he could only speak the words of the Lord (22:36-40).  Balaam needed to release his selfish motives and learn what it meant to be submissive to God’s will.

Dear God, guard my motives.

Beginning in Numbers 20, Moses documents the happenings during the 40th year of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.  Because of their disobedience and complaining against God, the older generation had been sentenced to die before entering ever entering the land of Canaan (Numbers 14).  Moses and Aaron, the leaders of Israel, were also sentenced to die in the wilderness because of their disobedience to God at Kadesh (Numbers 20). At the conclusion of Numbers 20, Aaron dies and the people mourn for him 30 days (Numbers 20:23-29).  Although they often complained against Aaron, the people loved him and knew that his death was a great loss for Israel.  Israel was currently encamped at Mount Hor because the king of Edom refused to allow them passage through his land (Numbers 20:14-21).  When the king of Arad (a Canaanite) learned that Israel was traveling the road to Atharim (place unknown), he fought against Israel and took some of them as prisoners (21:1).  Out of desperation, Israel made a vow to the Lord saying, “If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities” (21:2).  God answered their request and Israel destroyed them and their cities (21:3).

Israel traveled from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea so they could completely avoid Edom, where the king had threatened them earlier (Numbers 20:14-21).  While they were on this lengthy journey, the people became discouraged which caused them to speak against God and Moses saying, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread” (21:4-5).  As a punishment for their complaints, God sent fiery serpents to bite the people and many of them died (21:6).  Upon seeing this judgment of God, the people came to Moses saying, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us” (21:7).  Moses prayed on behalf of the people and the Lord commanded him to set a fiery serpent on a pole so that anyone who would look on it would live (21:8).  ”So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (21:9).  The apostle John referenced this incident in John 3:14-15.  In the same way people had to look to the bronze serpent to live, sinners would need to look to Jesus Christ’s death on the cross to live.

Israel made their way around Edom and Moab and then camped on the north side of the Arnon River, which was in the land of the Amorites (21:10-20).  From there Israel sent messengers to the king Sihon asking him to allow safe passage through their territory; however, he refused and fought against Israel (21:21-23).  ”Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified. So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages” (21:24-25).  While Israel was dwelling in the land of the Amorites, Moses sent out spies to Jazer and they ended up taking their villages and driving the Amorites out of the city (21:31-32).  Israel then went up to Bashan, but the King Og gathered his people to battle against them in Edrei (21:33).  The Lord then said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon” (21:34).  Upon hearing these words from God, the Israelites defeated their enemies and took possession of King Og’s land (21:35).  With these victories accomplished, Israel now occupied all the Transjordan between the Arnon River and Mount Hermon and east up until the land of the Ammonites.  Israel was now ready to move into the plains of Moab so that they could begin their attack on Canaan.  God was beginning to show Israel that obedience to His ways would bring victory.

Dear God, help me to carefully follow Your ways so that I might not miss what You have planned for me. 

A major transition concerning the timeline of Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan begins in Numbers 20.  All events recorded in Numbers 1:1-14:45 occurred in 1444 BC, which is approximately one year following Israel’s escape from Egypt.  The various laws and events documented in Numbers 15:1-19:22 took place anywhere from 1443 BC-1407 BC.   The events beginning in Numbers 20 and continuing through the end of the book document what happened in Israel’s 40th year following her exodus from Egyptian bondage (approximately 1406/1405 BC).  There is no record of the happenings between Israel’s second year and fortieth year in the wilderness, but it is evident that the current generation was sentenced to die before the next generation could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14).  Israel’s constant complaining and disobedience prevented them from experiencing freedom and blessing from the God who desired to give them good things.

Israel was currently encamped at Kadesh where Miriam, Moses’ sister, died and was buried; in fact, most of the older generation had died off while wandering in the wilderness (20:1).  While camped at Kadesh, there was no water for the people so they complained against Moses and Aaron saying, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers!  Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock?  Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place?  This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink! (20:2-5).  Upon hearing the complaints of the people, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces at the tabernacle door and the glory of the Lord appeared to them (20:6).  The Lord gave Moses specific instructions saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together.  Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals” (20:7-8).  God’s directions to Moses seem easy enough, but when Moses went before the people he spoke to them and struck the rock twice with his rod (20:9-11).  Striking the rock instead of speaking to it brought attention to Moses and Aaron rather than God, who had miraculously provided water for the people.  Although water still came out of the rock, God reprimanded Moses and Aaron for their disobedient actions and revealed that they would not lead the people into the land of Canaan (20:12-13).  After forty years of leading the people of Israel, Moses and Aaron would never experience the blessings of the Promised Land.  Even though Moses was not permitted to enter Canaan, he continued to lead Israel on their journey.  He sent messengers to the king of Edom to request passage through his land (20:14-17), but the king rejected their request and threatened violence if they attempted to cross (20:18-21).   Israel then turned away from Kadesh and journeyed to Mount Hor, which was on the border of Edom (20:22).  At Mount Hor the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying, “The time has come for Aaron to join his ancestors in death.  He will not enter the land I am giving the people of Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions concerning the water at Meribah.  Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor.  There you will remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors” (20:23-26).  Moses did as the Lord commanded and Aaron died on Mount Hor (20:27-28).  When Israel saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for him 30 days (20:29).  This is a sad ending to Aaron’s life.  Even though he had done many wonderful things in leading Israel through the wilderness, one of his last actions of his life prevented him from finishing well.

Dear God, may I finish well. 

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram had challenged the leadership of Moses and the priesthood of Aaron in a rebellion that ended with God pouring out His judgment on the rebels (Numbers 16).  God made it very clear that He had set aside Moses as the leader of the nation of Israel and Aaron as the spiritual head of the tabernacle.  Complaints and rebellion from any individual or group would not be tolerated.  In order to reconfirm Aaron’s priestly authority before all of Israel, the Lord commanded Moses to gather a staff from every tribe in Israel (12 staffs) and the name of the tribe’s leader was to be written on it (17:1-2).  Aaron’s name was to be written on the tribe of Levi’s staff (17:3) and all of the staffs were to be placed in the tabernacle before the Testimony (Ten Commandments), which were written on two stone tablets and kept in the ark of the covenant (17:4).  The Lord then said, “And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you” (17:5).  Moses did all that the Lord had commanded (17:6-7) and the next day the rod of Aaron had bloomed which confirmed that he was the High-Priest (17:8-9).  Aaron’s budding rod was to be placed in the ark of the covenant as a sign to anyone who would challenge his authority as the High-Priest (17:10-11).  When the children of Israel realized that they had sinned by rebelling against Aaron’s authority, they feared that the Lord would put them to death if they went anywhere near the tabernacle.  Although Israel overreacted to this revelation, they were now aware that challenging Aaron’s office of High-Priest would result in God’s wrath being poured out.

With Israel finally recognizing the authority of Aaron and the priesthood, God reminded everyone concerning the duties and responsibilities of the priests (Numbers 18).  God said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary.  But you and your sons alone will be held responsible for violations connected with the priesthood” (18:1).  This was a warning about the seriousness of their priestly duties.  Although the Levites were to assist Aaron and his sons, they were never to touch any of the sacred items in the tabernacle (18:2-7).  Any violation of this commandment would result in the death of the violator as well as the priest (18:3).  God also reminded the people about the support of the priests (18:8-20) and the Levites (18:21-24).  Since the priests and Levites performed their duties in service for the Lord, they were entitled to support.  The priests received a portion of the offerings which were not consumed on the altar (18:8-11) as well as the offerings of firstfruits and anything devoted to the Lord (18:12-20).  The Levites were supported by the tithes of the people (18:21-24).  Although the Levites received tithes from the people, they were to give a tithe (a tenth) back to the Lord (18:25-32).

The Lord also provided instructions concerning the laws of purification in Numbers 19.  These laws of purification were to be performed when a person became unclean through some action and many of the instances of uncleanness are described in Leviticus 12-15.  Prior to the purification ceremony, an unblemished red heifer was to be given to the priest who would then slaughter it outside the camp (19:1-4), burn it (19:5-6), and then cleanse himself in water (19:7).  Each person involved in this purification ritual needed to be cleansed by water (19:8).  When the ashes of the heifer remained, a man was to gather them until they were to be used in purifying individuals from uncleanness (19:9-10).  Anyone who came in contact with a dead body would remain unclean for seven days and on the third and seventh day he was to purify himself with the ash water (19:11); however, an individual who failed to cleanse himself would be put to death (19:12-13; see also Leviticus 15:31).  This purification ritual would also apply to those in a tent with a dead body and even spread to objects near a dead body (19:14-16).  Numbers 19:17-22 reveals that the ashes must be mixed with water and then a branch was to be used to sprinkle the water over any unclean object or person (19:17-19).  This was to be performed on the third and seventh day by a person that was ceremonially clean.  Anyone who refused to be purified from their uncleanness would be put to death (19:20).  Those who performed the cleansing ritual would remain unclean until evening (19:21-22).  Although this ceremony may seem tedious, God wanted the people to understand that He was holy and anyone who was unclean could not defile His presence.  This purification ritual would have been a visible reminder about the seriousness of one’s approach to God.

Dear God, cleanse me from sin that I might stand in Your presence. 

Moses had already endured several instances of opposition from the nation of Israel as well as specific individuals who were supposed to be following his leadership.  God had specifically chosen Moses (Exodus 3) as the one to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the land He had promised to give Israel as an inheritance.  At times the pressure was almost too much for Moses to handle, but God provided strength for him to endure in every instance.  Another situation arose when Korah (a descendant of Levi) as well as Dathan and Abiram (descendants of Reuben) “…took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown” (16:1-2).  This opposition to Moses and Aaron stemmed from Korah feeling that all the people were capable of being leaders and therefore did not need Moses and Aaron telling them what to do (16:3).  When Moses heard of this rebellion against his leadership, he fell on his face and said, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him” (16:4-5).  Instead of taking matters upon himself, Moses allowed God to determine the true leader of Israel.  God’s chosen leader would be discerned by seeing which one of them, Moses or Korah, would be permitted to approach the presence of the Lord (16:6-7).  Moses then turned his attention to Korah and exposed that he and those rebelling were not satisfied with their God-given duties in the tabernacle, but desired the office of priest (16:8-11), which means that the real issue motivating the rebellion was envy and jealousy.

After speaking with Korah, Moses called for Dathan and Abiram but they refused to come to him saying, “Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us?  Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards.  Will you put out the eyes of these men?  We will not come up!” (16:12-14).  They were essentially blaming Moses for removing them from Egypt and failing to lead them into the land of Canaan.  When Moses heard these words he was very angry and pleaded for the Lord to reject their approach to His presence (16:15).  Moses again spoke to Korah and commanded that each of his people bring incense before the Lord and stand before the tabernacle (16:16-19).  The glory of the Lord appeared to the entire congregation and commanded that Moses and Aaron remove themselves from the tabernacle so that they would not be consumed in His coming judgment against Israel (16:20-21).  Upon hearing God’s anger against Israel, Moses and Aaron prayed that God would not consume all of the people for the sin of one man (16:22), so God demanded that the people separate themselves from the ones who had rebelled (16:23-24).  The people immediately responded and departed from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (16:27).  Without warning the earth opened up and swallowed the three men who led the rebellion (16:28-33).  Following the sudden judgment, God sent fire from heaven which consumed the 250 men who had been loyal to the rebels (16:34-35).  After the rebels had been consumed by fire, Moses told Eleazar to collect the 250 censers holding the incense and make them into a covering for the altar, which would be a reminder for that no one except for the priests were to approach the presence of God (16:36-40).  The very next day the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron for killing the people of the Lord (16:41) but when the glory of the Lord appeared, Moses and Aaron begged the Lord not to consume the people (16:42-45).  Moses told Aaron to quickly offer atonement on the altar for the complaints of the people, but the plague sent by the Lord had already begun to spread throughout the congregation (16:46).  After acting as fast as possible, Aaron made atonement for the people and the plague was stopped but not before 14,700 people had died (16:47-50).  Israel’s continued rebellion against God was inviting His judgment upon the nation.  They would need to learn to obey Moses as the one appointed by God to lead the nation.  Any rebellion against Moses’ leadership was ultimately an attack on the ways of God.  The Lord has given us leaders and authorities to guide us in His ways and anyone who rebels is in danger of experiencing the judgment of God.

Dear God, may I respect, obey, and honor those leaders You have given to provide guidance in my life.