February 9, 2025 - Numbers 1-4

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, ‘Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel’” (1:1-2).  And thus the name of the book because of the numbering of the people.  There in the wilderness, God gave instructions regarding the Levites, the sons of Aaron, and the organization of the people.  They were facing a long number of years in the wilderness, and they must go about their travels in an orderly manner, always taking care to treat the holy things of God carefully.  No haphazard, disorderly, undisciplined behavior was to be countenanced.  God instructed the people regarding order and organization.  Though they had sinned often and greatly, if they would now obey the Lord and walk with him in obedience, how blessed they would be.  Just amazing the patience and mercy of God toward Israel who had rejected him for the golden calf and who had complained so much. And so for us, also. 

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.   -- John H. Sammis (1887)