Good morning! Today in Numbers 27-28 we first see several stories of new precedents set by new voices who have come of age in the wilderness, then follow it up with a chapter that clarifies the offerings that are to be part of the regular sacrifices of Israel.
Category: Daily Bible
Numbers 25-26
Good morning! Today we read the last two chapters of the “wilderness journey” section of Numbers, which includes a story of zealous vengeance on God’s behalf, and then another census.
Numbers 22-24
Good morning! In today’s passage (Numbers 22-24) we get a delightful, whimsical extended narrative of Balak, Balaam, and Balaam’s ass, complete with angels and talking animals. It sounds nothing like the “fire and brimstone” stories we’ve read recently. I can readily imagine this being told around the campfire, a happy story about how the enemies of Israel conspire to bring about its destruction, but instead make for blessing instead.
Numbers 20-21
Good morning! Today in Numbers 20-21 we continue to see narratives of Hebrew disobedience and divine judgment, only this time they impact the destiny of Moses and Aaron. We also see the beginning of Hebrew conquests.
Numbers 17-19
Good morning! Our sojourn in the wilderness with the Israelite people continues today in Numbers 17-19, where we read several stories that emphasize the importance of Aaron and the other priests, as well as other ritual observances and statutes.
Numbers 15-16
Good morning! Both Numbers 15 and 16 today show what happens when people break the divine commandments, and the punishments seem to far outweigh the transgressions. We’re given opportunity here to continue wrestling with the ancient Hebrew understanding of God’s ultimate holiness and unapproachability on human terms.
Numbers 13-14
Good morning! Today in Numbers 13-14 we get a first encounter between the Israelite tribes and the inhabitants of Canaan. The reaction to early espionage reveals the lack of Hebrew resolve, causes God to reconsider helping these people, and consigns the Israelites to a full forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Numbers 11-12
Good morning! Starting today (Numbers 11-12) and going for fifteen chapters, we’ll be traveling in the wilderness with the Hebrews until they are on the cusp of Canaan (the final ten chapters). This middle third of Numbers generally describes rebellions against Israelite leaders through the wilderness. A common theme is the anger and judgment of God against mistrusting Israelites, while in Numbers 12 we perceive how the writer(s) of Numbers want us to understand the relationships between Miriam, Aaron and Moses.
Numbers 8-10
Good morning! Well, to this point in Numbers all the details have been assigned, the leaders designated and the gifts given, so today’s chapters (8-10) describe the final preparations and the first setting-out of the tabernacle. According to the Priestly tradition, this is what it looks like when the people are in lockstep with God’s commands, and God consents to be visibly with the people.
Numbers 7
Good morning! I get to be the bearer of happy news—we have only one chapter today, and you can mostly scan it because it’s almost all identical.
Pastor Oby Ballinger 