DW#15 Meeting this morning is the day of commissioning for the men. 27 Joshua son of Nun is commission as the next person to lead the Israelites. Moses, his time is coming to an end. Sandj
Chapter 25: verse 1... I thought Israel destroyed Moab?... I guess this is case in point about what happens when we don't 'destroy' the sin that is in our lives, or when we allow ourselves to be surrounded by the impurity of the world and do not try to block it out or seclude ourselves from it... easy to get sucked into the evil... it starts a little at a time and before we know it, we are full fledged in the middle of 'Moab'...ok, no wait... Balak was the king of Moab (Numbers 22:4)... so, even though the points I made above are still things I stick by, it looks like the Isrealites are getting seduced by Balak's people... like if Balak can't have them cursed by God, then he will make them bad, so that God wants to curse them, or something? Interesting plot twist. :) verse 3... what were they thinking?!... but how often do we join the crowd to make new friends or whatever, and not expect it to lead to evil, but then, BAM, there we are... why do we compromise what we know to be true?... also, does 'Baal' mean 'god' (little 'g')? verse 6... wow! i'm speechless about stupidity verse 9... God uses plagues alot to kill people when they have disobeyed... do you think that is why there are so many plagues and incurable diseases around now? is it the natural consequence of misguided human actions (poor sanitation, unprotected sexual relations, etc)? is it just a result of living in a fallen world (incurable cancer, etc)? or a combination of all these? verse 10-13... God rewards zealousness of stamping out evil on His behalf... to what degree though? at what point, if any, do we become sinners with blood on our heads? only when we do it for self and not God? or anytime we assult our 'enemies'? is this an Old Testament thing again? I think of Jesus saying 'love your enemies'(Matthew 5:43-44), and He keeps the people from stoning the adulterous woman, by reminding the people they are all sinners (John 8:1-11)... so where is the line?... a friend of mine told me a line that Billy Grahm used to say (I think I've got this right)... it's God's job to judge, the Holy Spirit's job to convict, and our job to love... what about here in this verse? Maybe this is different though, because Phinehas is just fulfilling God's commands to kill all the leaders who worship the other gods (see verse 4, and 14) verse 16-17... the Midianites are enemies because they were co-conspirators against the Isrealites during Balak's talks with Balaam in trying to get a curse put on the Irealites (see Numbers 22:4-7)
Chapter 26: Isn't this the 3rd census? First one in Exodus 30 (with other details in Exodus 38); 2nd one in Numbers 1; and this one here... although, the one in Exodus says "when you take a census" (Exodus 30:12)... so, maybe that was the instructions given to accomplish the censuses taken n Numbers 1 and Numbers 26? So did the accounting of things given in Exodus 38 (which was taken after the census was conducted)... did that get recorded after Numbers 1?... what is the chronological order of the chapters in each book?... do the books intertwine and overlap each other in parts?...interesting to note that the instructions given (we're going with this theory) in Exodus 30:12 says that 'no plague will come on them when you number them'... this is good news for the Isrealites since they keep sinning and keep getting hit with plagues... also, the study notes says that it has been 38 years since the first census verse 4... 'these were the Israelites who came out of Egypt'... these are all the people still left to die before the others can go into the promised land, right?... but, then verse 64 says that 'not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Isrealites in the Desert of Sinai', so verse 4 must just mean that it is the same line of people... that God did not pick up a new group of people along the way, or something. verse 11... 'the line of Korah, however, did not die out'... I love how God does not entirely wipe out His people... like with Noah (Genesis 6-9), and others, He keeps a holy remnant to rebuild upon... God is a faithful God, even when His people are not. verse 51... the new number of Isrealites was not too far off of the old number back when the first generation was getting prepped to go into the Promised Land (601,730 now vs. 603,550 in Numbers 1:46) I find it interesting how parts of the history of their rebellion is recorded within the geneology... like, so and so died because they defied God, etc (see verse 10 and 61)... yet, many names of people who died in the numerous plagues were not recorded, as was not the man just killed in Numbers 25... it would be impossible (or at least impractical) to record all those names... so just the major offenses that were a reminder of how to revere God were included? verse 52-56... this seems to be where the blessing of 'be fruitful and multiply' would come in handy and be seen in fruition? verse 59... I always find it interesting when a woman's name was mentioned (see also verse 33), becuase she must have been important for some reason, or she would not be in there... I wonder if we hear more about Jochebed later? verse 62... a 1,000 more Levites than before (see Numbers 3:39... 23,000 vs 22,000) verse 65... were Caleb and Joshua not Isrealites, then?... if not, then it would be quite interesting that the only two that stayed in God's favor where not of the line of Jacob... what a blow that would have to be to the Israelite ego... maybe they were a part of the tribes, somehow, though... any pointers on this?
clarification on verse 65 above... yes, they were both in the line of Isreal, as Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim (under Joseph), and Caleb was from the tribe of Judah... wonder why they weren't mentioned in the geneology of Numbers 26, until the very end?
Chapter 27: verse 1-4 (see Numbers 26:33... this is why these women's names were mentioned in the geneology)... cool that their boldness brought about a law of equal rights (to a degree)... today's women's lib people should be proud of this passage... ok, I could say way more to clarify (about how I don't agree with all women' lib stuff, etc), but let's leave it at that, or else this could be a huge post and we might never get to bed.... see also Numbers 36 for more about these women and their inheritance.... see also Deuteronomy 25:5-10 for more about the carrying on of a family's name. verse 12-13... I think it was very kind of God to at least let Moses see the land that God had promised the people, so he could have some sense of peace and closure before he died... not that he would then need it, I guess, but still... verse 15-17... still looking out for 'his' people... how cool!... Moses trully was a great leader... all leaders make mistakes, but he really did care for the people and do his absolute best!... I know this is a plea for a person to immediately take over the leadership of the Israelites, but, also, I think this is a foreshadowing of Jesus, again, or at least Jesus made reference to this when He talked about being the 'good shephard' and knowing His sheep, etc (see John 10) verse 18... so the Holy Spirit dwelled IN Joshua? I thought that one of the differences between the New Testament and the Old Testament was that in the OT the Holy Spirit was WITH the people, and in the NT, the Holy Spirit was IN the people? I'm probably getting this all mixed up, either in termonolgy or memory (or both)... do you have any clarification/help here? verse 20... 'give him SOME of your authority'... what did Moses give Joshua, and what did he not give Joshua? Who got the rest of the authority (if anybody)? Why/why not?... oh, wait, clarification in verse 21... so, Joshua would not be able to talk directly with God to get decisions (Eleazar the priest would have to do it for him)... this was only reserved for Moses to have all this connection with God... how cool for Moses!... wow!... why didn't Joshua have this, though?... verse 23... so Joshua is commissioned, but Moses does not die yet and is still in command... why commission Joshua now, if Moses will still be around? To get Joshua some mentoring and give him credibility?
The IDEA: Romans 1:12-That we may be mutually strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by each others faith. Have you ever read the whole Bible before? We have never done it. We want to share God’s Word, but how can we if we do not know it.
The PLAN: Ecclesiastes 4:12-One person is easily overcome, but two can stand together and conquer. Three is even better, though, as a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. With each others help we can succeed-So, let us team up and read the Bible in a year.
The DATE: We will start Dec 26, 2009 - Dec 26, 2010.
The FYI: We will read 3-4 chapters each day, starting in Genesis, and post thoughts daily. If you do not have a Bible, you can access many translations at www.biblegateway.com. You can also download an audio for each chapter at: http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm
Chapter 25: verse 1... I thought Israel destroyed Moab?... I guess this is case in point about what happens when we don't 'destroy' the sin that is in our lives, or when we allow ourselves to be surrounded by the impurity of the world and do not try to block it out or seclude ourselves from it... easy to get sucked into the evil... it starts a little at a time and before we know it, we are full fledged in the middle of 'Moab'...ok, no wait... Balak was the king of Moab (Numbers 22:4)... so, even though the points I made above are still things I stick by, it looks like the Isrealites are getting seduced by Balak's people... like if Balak can't have them cursed by God, then he will make them bad, so that God wants to curse them, or something? Interesting plot twist. :)
ReplyDeleteverse 3... what were they thinking?!... but how often do we join the crowd to make new friends or whatever, and not expect it to lead to evil, but then, BAM, there we are... why do we compromise what we know to be true?... also, does 'Baal' mean 'god' (little 'g')?
verse 6... wow! i'm speechless about stupidity
verse 9... God uses plagues alot to kill people when they have disobeyed... do you think that is why there are so many plagues and incurable diseases around now? is it the natural consequence of misguided human actions (poor sanitation, unprotected sexual relations, etc)? is it just a result of living in a fallen world (incurable cancer, etc)? or a combination of all these?
verse 10-13... God rewards zealousness of stamping out evil on His behalf... to what degree though? at what point, if any, do we become sinners with blood on our heads? only when we do it for self and not God? or anytime we assult our 'enemies'? is this an Old Testament thing again? I think of Jesus saying 'love your enemies'(Matthew 5:43-44), and He keeps the people from stoning the adulterous woman, by reminding the people they are all sinners (John 8:1-11)... so where is the line?... a friend of mine told me a line that Billy Grahm used to say (I think I've got this right)... it's God's job to judge, the Holy Spirit's job to convict, and our job to love... what about here in this verse? Maybe this is different though, because Phinehas is just fulfilling God's commands to kill all the leaders who worship the other gods (see verse 4, and 14)
verse 16-17... the Midianites are enemies because they were co-conspirators against the Isrealites during Balak's talks with Balaam in trying to get a curse put on the Irealites (see Numbers 22:4-7)
Chapter 26: Isn't this the 3rd census? First one in Exodus 30 (with other details in Exodus 38); 2nd one in Numbers 1; and this one here... although, the one in Exodus says "when you take a census" (Exodus 30:12)... so, maybe that was the instructions given to accomplish the censuses taken n Numbers 1 and Numbers 26? So did the accounting of things given in Exodus 38 (which was taken after the census was conducted)... did that get recorded after Numbers 1?... what is the chronological order of the chapters in each book?... do the books intertwine and overlap each other in parts?...interesting to note that the instructions given (we're going with this theory) in Exodus 30:12 says that 'no plague will come on them when you number them'... this is good news for the Isrealites since they keep sinning and keep getting hit with plagues... also, the study notes says that it has been 38 years since the first census
ReplyDeleteverse 4... 'these were the Israelites who came out of Egypt'... these are all the people still left to die before the others can go into the promised land, right?... but, then verse 64 says that 'not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Isrealites in the Desert of Sinai', so verse 4 must just mean that it is the same line of people... that God did not pick up a new group of people along the way, or something.
verse 11... 'the line of Korah, however, did not die out'... I love how God does not entirely wipe out His people... like with Noah (Genesis 6-9), and others, He keeps a holy remnant to rebuild upon... God is a faithful God, even when His people are not.
verse 51... the new number of Isrealites was not too far off of the old number back when the first generation was getting prepped to go into the Promised Land (601,730 now vs. 603,550 in Numbers 1:46)
I find it interesting how parts of the history of their rebellion is recorded within the geneology... like, so and so died because they defied God, etc (see verse 10 and 61)... yet, many names of people who died in the numerous plagues were not recorded, as was not the man just killed in Numbers 25... it would be impossible (or at least impractical) to record all those names... so just the major offenses that were a reminder of how to revere God were included?
verse 52-56... this seems to be where the blessing of 'be fruitful and multiply' would come in handy and be seen in fruition?
verse 59... I always find it interesting when a woman's name was mentioned (see also verse 33), becuase she must have been important for some reason, or she would not be in there... I wonder if we hear more about Jochebed later?
verse 62... a 1,000 more Levites than before (see Numbers 3:39... 23,000 vs 22,000)
verse 65... were Caleb and Joshua not Isrealites, then?... if not, then it would be quite interesting that the only two that stayed in God's favor where not of the line of Jacob... what a blow that would have to be to the Israelite ego... maybe they were a part of the tribes, somehow, though... any pointers on this?
clarification on verse 65 above... yes, they were both in the line of Isreal, as Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim (under Joseph), and Caleb was from the tribe of Judah... wonder why they weren't mentioned in the geneology of Numbers 26, until the very end?
ReplyDeleteChapter 27: verse 1-4 (see Numbers 26:33... this is why these women's names were mentioned in the geneology)... cool that their boldness brought about a law of equal rights (to a degree)... today's women's lib people should be proud of this passage... ok, I could say way more to clarify (about how I don't agree with all women' lib stuff, etc), but let's leave it at that, or else this could be a huge post and we might never get to bed.... see also Numbers 36 for more about these women and their inheritance.... see also Deuteronomy 25:5-10 for more about the carrying on of a family's name.
verse 12-13... I think it was very kind of God to at least let Moses see the land that God had promised the people, so he could have some sense of peace and closure before he died... not that he would then need it, I guess, but still...
verse 15-17... still looking out for 'his' people... how cool!... Moses trully was a great leader... all leaders make mistakes, but he really did care for the people and do his absolute best!... I know this is a plea for a person to immediately take over the leadership of the Israelites, but, also, I think this is a foreshadowing of Jesus, again, or at least Jesus made reference to this when He talked about being the 'good shephard' and knowing His sheep, etc (see John 10)
verse 18... so the Holy Spirit dwelled IN Joshua? I thought that one of the differences between the New Testament and the Old Testament was that in the OT the Holy Spirit was WITH the people, and in the NT, the Holy Spirit was IN the people? I'm probably getting this all mixed up, either in termonolgy or memory (or both)... do you have any clarification/help here?
verse 20... 'give him SOME of your authority'... what did Moses give Joshua, and what did he not give Joshua? Who got the rest of the authority (if anybody)? Why/why not?... oh, wait, clarification in verse 21... so, Joshua would not be able to talk directly with God to get decisions (Eleazar the priest would have to do it for him)... this was only reserved for Moses to have all this connection with God... how cool for Moses!... wow!... why didn't Joshua have this, though?...
verse 23... so Joshua is commissioned, but Moses does not die yet and is still in command... why commission Joshua now, if Moses will still be around? To get Joshua some mentoring and give him credibility?
Have a great night!
God Bless,
sandJ