Numbers 35:6-21; Six of the forty eight cites the Israelites were commanded by Yahweh-God to dedicate to the Levites would also serve as cities of refuge. Anyone who accidentally caused the death of another person in Israel would flee to the closest city of refuge to plead their case before the assembly. Otherwise, the closest […]
Numbers 34:1-15; 35:1-5: Yahweh-God instructed Moses to outline the boundaries of Canaan, which the twelve tribes of Israel would claim as their promised inheritance. With the Mediterraneaab Sea as the well defined western boundary and the Jordan to the east, the southern and northern boundaries were provided in detail by landmarks. Unlike pagan conquering nations, […]
Numbers 32:39-43; 33:50-56; Our previous message entailed the tribes of Reuben and Gad approaching Moses and the leadership of Israel for permission to settle in the Transjordan area of Gilead. After promising to fulfill their calling as warriors, their request was granted, along with half of Manasseh who took the land and cities to the […]
Numbers 32:1-19; With Israel still camped on the east side of the Jordan river across from Jericho, the next step was for them to cross the river and begin conquest of Canaan. However the tribal leaders of Gad and Reuben approached Moses with a significant request. Being herdsmen, they noticed the fertile ground of Gilead […]
Numbers 31:19-24; Following the defeat of the Midianite clans who seduced Israel to physical and spiritual adultery at Peor, Moses instructed Israel’s military leaders to remain “outside the camp“. This was in conformity to the purification requirements of Numbers 19, where those who came in contact with a dead body were ceremonially unclean for seven […]
Numbers 31:1-18; Following the events of Numbers 27, where Moses was informed by the LORD that his days were drawing to a close, Joshua was named as his successor. The next three chapters detail types of offerings and festivals the Israelite community were instructed to celebrate. Chapter 31 shifts to holy war ordered by Yahweh-God […]
Numbers 27:12-23; Yahwew-God came to Moses with with instructions to ascend a particular mountain range for viewing of Canaan. A review of the events of Numbers 20 was given, where Moses struck the rock at Kadesh in anger instead of speaking to it for much needed water. As a result, both Moses and Aaron were […]
Numbers 27:1-11; Following the second census of Israel in chpt.26 with instructions on the division of the Promised Land, Moses is faced with a related issue in chpt. 27. The five daughters of a Simeonite man named Zelophehad came before Israel’s leadership to inqure why they could not inherit a share of their tribe’s land, […]
Numbers 25; The scene from Numbers 22-24 shifts from Balaam speaking to king Balak of Moab, to the Israelite camp where a serious sin issue has arisen. Balaam slyly advised Balak to use the temple prositutes at the shrine on Peor to entice Israel’s men to both sexual and spiritual adultery. The Lord’s righteous anger […]
Numbers 24:15-25; The Balaam saga concludes with several oracles from Yahweh-God concerning future events for Israel and surrounding nations. King Balak is informed that a future leader of Israel would crush his nation, along with the Edomites and Amalekites. Also, an revelation concerning the rise of the Assyrian kingdom and a long view of the […]