Judges 3:1-3:6; Judges 17:1-18:31; Judges 3:7-31
Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Deuteronomy 31:14-15; Numbers 27:22-23; Deuteronomy 31:16-32:47
Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Deuteronomy 28:1-68
It is tempting for us to pass judgment on the Israelites and to call them foolish for not following the laws of God. Had they simply followed God's laws, they would have been blessed without measure! We might also be tempted to think that, had we lived during that time, we would have obeyed God and His laws. Paul reminds us that none of us would have perfectly followed the law, and that we all need to be made righteous through Jesus Romans 3:19-24
Deuteronomy 9:6-11:32
Do wonder why God chose the Israelites to be His special people? What if you were an Israelite? You might think that you were special because of how good you were, or because you had done some great things in the past. God knew the Israelites would think this about themselves, so He wanted to make sure that they knew that they hadn't earned His blessings (Deuteronomy 9:6).
On many occasions God was ready to destroy the Israelites, but Moses interceded on their behalf and God relented. In today's readings, we get more details about Moses' intercessions, and the great agony he endured on behalf of these people (Deuteronomy 9:18-19).
Deuteronomy 6:10-9:5
The person you choose to marry will have a great impact on your spiritual relatonship with God. The Israelites were given many warnings against marrying women who worshipped other gods. If they were to marry these women, they would end up worshipping foreign gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-5). If you are already married, it is extremely important that both you and your spouse encourage each other in your relationship with and worship to God. If you are seeking a spouse, look for a person who will help build your relationship with God, not tear it down.
Deuteronomy 4:44-49; Deuteronomy 1:1-5; Deuteronomy 4:1-40; Deuteronomy 5:1-4; Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9
Most people are aware that God doesn't like people to worship idols. But did you also know that God doesn't want you to make an image that represents Him? God reminds the Israelites that when He previously talked to them, he didn't allow them to see His form. This was done so that they wouldn't go and make a carved image in that form, and worship the image rather than God (Deuteronomy 4:15-16; 4:25-26).
Do you fear God? One day each of us will meet God face to face and give an account of how we have lived our lives (Romans 14:10-12; Revelation 20:12-15). It is hard for us to imagine what that day will be like, since we don't know anyone who has heard the voice of God, much less seen Him. However, we can learn from history. The Israelites heard the voice of God, and were afraid that if they heard it again they would die. They asked Moses to talk with God, and then relay to them God's message (Deuteronomy 5:23-25).
Numbers 26:35-65; Numbers 27:12-21; Deuteronomy 3:21-29; Numbers 32:1-32
Numbers 25:10-18; Numbers 31:1-54; Numbers 26:1-34
Deuteronomy 2:24-37; Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11; Numbers 33:1-49; Numbers 22:1-20
We have read several references to the Anakim or Rephaim, who were apparently very large people. In today's readings we finally get a reference that will give us a clue as to how large these people were. King Og's bed was 13.5 feet long by 6 feet wide and was made of iron (Deuteronomy 3:11)! With the destruction of Bashan comes the end of the Rephaim.
Numbers 20:10-21:20; Deuteronomy 2:1-23; Numbers 21:21-32
Numbers 13:25-33; Deuteronomy 1:19-25; Numbers 14:1-12; Deuteronomy 1:26-33; Numbers 14:13-38; Deuteronomy 1:34-40; Numbers 14:39-45; Deuteronomy 1:41-46
The spies bring back a good and bad report. The good - the land is awesome! The bad - there are giants living in the land, and we can't defeat them! Just as in the beginning with Adam and Eve, there is always a conflict caused by the different things we are being told by Satan and by God. Who are you listening to?
When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree, they gained knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:22-24). In today's readings, God tells us that those who were younger than 20 years old did not have a knowledge of good or evil (Deuteronomy 1:39). These children did not have the knowledge they needed to decided between good and evil, so God was not going to hold them accountable and wasn't going prevent them from entering the promised land.
Numbers 9:15-23; Exodus 40:36-38; Numbers 10:34-13:24
The people start grumbling about the lack of fish and vegetables that they had been accustomed to eating in Egypt. Because of their complaining, God sends them so much quail that it will be coming out of their nostrils by the end of the month! God also appoints 70 elders and takes some of the Spirit that is on Moses and puts it on them. They are temporarily able to give prophecies. Also, there are two men in the camp who received the Spirit and were able to prophecy. Joshua asks Moses to make these two men be quiet, but Moses indicates that he wishes that all of God's people would be able to prophecy and have the Spirit on them. Perhaps Moses already knows that some day God will put His Spirit on all of his children?
Numbers 4:16-49; Numbers 10:1-10; Deuteronomy 1:6-18; Numbers 10:11-33
In today's readings, Israel receives their last instructions at the foot of the Mount Sinai. They have leaders appointed over them, and then God gives them the command to depart to the land of promise.
Numbers 2:1-34; Numbers 3:14-4:15
There were 22,273 first-born males of Israel that were counted, out of a total of 603,550 males Numbers 3:43; 1:45-46. If you assumed there was one first-born male in each family, then you would say that there must have been 22,273 families. If that were true, then each family would have had an average of 27 males! That seems very unrealistic. However, recall that the Pharaoh of Egypt had many of the sons of Israel killed Exodus 1:22. Many of the families would have had more children later on, but their first-born sons would have been killed by Pharaoh. So there would have been more than just 22,273 families, since many families would no longer have a living first-born son.
There were 20,000 Levites who would take the place of (redeem) the first-born sons of Israel, since the first-born of all living things belonged to God. Since there were 273 more first-born males than there were Levites, money had to be paid to redeem these 273 extra males. The New Testament makes reference to this redemption with perishable money, and compares it to our redemption by the precious blood of Christ 1 Peter 1:18-19.
Numbers 18:15-32; Numbers 9:1-8; Numbers 9:11-12; Numbers 1:1-54
Numbers 7:54-8:4; Exodus 27:20-21; Numbers 3:1-13; Numbers 8:5-26; Numbers 18:8-14