February 12, 2024 - Numbers 26-30

I want to make several quick observations from today’s reading.  The Lord said to Moses, “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war” (26:2).  God could have snapped his fingers and given victory to Israel over her enemies.  Rather, they must fight for those victories.  Observation:  God ordains both the end (victory over their enemies) and the means (the people must fight).

The man Zelophehad died in the wilderness without a son.  His daughters spoke to Moses and explained that, according to the law, the male heir would receive the family inheritance; however, there was no male heir.  And, so, God gave to Israel this rule:  “If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter” (27:7).  Observation:  God knows that we live in a real world with real issues, and he responds and provides.

Moses would not go into the promised land and, so, he spoke to the Lord:  “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd” (27:15-17).  Observation:  Sheep need shepherds.

Additional rules were given regarding offerings and vows (chapters 28-30).  Observation:  In the busyness of life, devotion and worship and thanksgiving do not cease because of worldly concerns.

To God be the glory, great things he has done!

So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,

who yielded his life an atonement for sin,

and opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear his voice!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son

and give him the glory, great things he has done!   --Fanny Crosby (1875)