Numbers 34-36 are a collection of commandments to continue establishing God’s covenant with the 12 tribes of Israel.
Chapter 34 specifically maps out the borders of the promised land for once the people of Israel cross the Jordan to lay claim to the land promised to them.
Numbers chapter 35 describes the responsibility of the other tribes to provide six cities for the Levites (priests) by giving up some of their inherited lands.
This included pastureland around the cities for the cattle, livestock, and other animals. They were expected to give them land reaching from the city wall to a thousand cubits outward and all around.They were also commanded to treat these cities as refuge cities. Moses would later go on to explain how the cities would be used in terms of settling cases dealing with murder and accidental murder.
Numbers 36 focused on inheritance and marriage. Each tribe was blessed with some form of inheritance based on the covenant God established with his people. The question arose that if one were to marry the daughter of a different tribe, would that affect the inheritance one would receive from his tribe or that of his wife. The command was then handed down to marry within ones tribe for the Lord’s blessing would not transfer inheritance from one tribe to the next.
In summary, the lord helped the tribes of Israel to create a blueprint for governing between the tribes. Much different than what we see today by a long shot in fact.
As we enter the chapter, war is breaking out, people are struggling with the choice between comfort and difficulty…and STILL God takes care of them! God tells His people to wage war against the Midianites, and even though they don’t follow His orders to the letter, God still blesses them with livestock and the ability to start new generations. Later on, the Gadites and the Reubenites insist on staying behind with their families, where it’s safe. God inspires Moses to help them get their acts together, and He blesses them again, even through the wildly long journey they were on to make it there. Wow!
The verse I’d like to share with you is Numbers 32:6-7. This is after the Gadites and Reubenites try to play the “get out of war free” card:
“Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, ‘Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?’”
I know that sometimes we all need that tough love, that reminder that God has great works planned for us…we need to show up and do it, even when it’s hard.
It reminds me that God wants to use me, even in my weakness. I love that God still knows I have something to give, even when I’m being a crankenstein or feel like I have nothing to give. I love being comfortable, but comfort doesn’t help me grow.
It encourages me to know that God can use me, even when I feel like the circumstances are less than ideal. Believe me, going to grad school, teaching at the college level, and planning a wedding simultaneously is no walk in the park. I’m tired, and I sometimes just don’t want to do whatever it is. I can’t let my emotions impact the help I can give other people. God wants to use me to fight in this spiritual war because I have something nobody else can offer. I am a living example of how God’s love gets our act together.
As a result of this reading, I’m going to show up, and show up confidently, even when I don’t feel confident at all. I can’t be used if I’m not present. God has given me the victory already because I have him—I have no reason to doubt or discourage myself. I have an important role to play, and I’m going to live like it (instead of living in the shadows of the imposter syndrome that loom so largely now.) I matter. What I say, what I do, and how I show up matters…because it’s all for God.
Moses rightly calls out the Gadites and the Reubenites, inspiring them to be the example and to do something brave and hard. Jesus sets an eye-opening example of doing the hard thing and showing up. It was literally uncomfortable for him to be separated from his father and tortured so intentionally. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he prays for this role to be taken away (Matthew 26:39) but he knows he needs to show up anyway. His love for us is bigger than the uncomfortability he faced.
This section begins with a census of God’s people, organized by tribe and clan, and totaling 601,730 people (plus 23,000 Levites who weren’t listed because, as priests, they did not receive a land inheritance). Of this number only 2 (Caleb and Joshua) remained from the census taken in the wilderness of Sinai (Numbers 1).
After this, justice is carried out for the daughters of Zelophehad, and they received their father’s inheritance despite the fact that he had no sons. Then God tells Moses that his time is going to be up soon, Moses requests that God appoint a leader over Israel so that they have someone to shepherd them going forward, and God chooses Joshua to fill this role.
The next two chapters go into detail about the timing of certain sacrifices; daily, weekly (on the Sabbath), monthly, and then at each of Israel’s seasonal feasts/holidays. This section closes with Moses delivering God’s expectations when it comes to vows.
What is one key verse? Why?
“If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
Numbers 30:2
This verse stood out to me because it shows me how important what we say is to God and to those around us. The New Testament verifies the significance of keeping your word with scriptures like Matthew 5:37 and James 5:12. In fact, Jesus urges that we shouldn’t even make oaths, but that we should have such integrity that our “yes” and our “no” should be enough to stand on their own.
How does what you read change your vision of God?
This passage reminds me that God always keeps his promises, and that he expects the same of us. So far in what we’ve read this year, God has promised some ridiculous things, like that Abraham will have a child at 100, or that Moses would go back to Egypt and lead his people out of slavery. But God is always able to follow through on what he says!
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
I am not omnipotent, so I have to be very careful about what I promise and what I say I will do if I want to be like God in this way! It’s important that we know ourselves enough to not promise more than we are capable or willing to do, because that can hurt others’ trust in us.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I’ve realized that over my life I have been quick to say things that I think will appease people, but that I don’t really expect myself to follow through on. Even little things like “I’ll pray for you”, I will sometimes say because it feels like the right thing but then I never actually pray for the person!
I want to think more carefully about the words that I say, especially when it comes to promises, and expect myself to follow through on the things that I do promise to others. I want to have more integrity and sincerity when it comes to my interactions with others.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
Jesus followed through with the most difficult task ever assigned to anyone, and did it joyfully (Hebrews 12). As a result of that all of the promises of God are fulfilled through him.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
In these chapters, Israel has just defeated the Canaanites and is settling down for a while in the land of Moab. In Chapter 21, the Israelites spoke against God, so in order for the Israelites to be spared God’s wrath in the form of fiery serpents, God told Moses to create a serpent made of bronze and put it on a pole so that whoever looked at the serpent would live. In Chapters 22-24, Balak, the king of Moab, enlists Balaam, a foreteller of events, to curse Israel in the Name of God, so that Moab may emerge victorious in battle against Israel. Whenever Balaam sets out to do this, God speaks to him and has him bless Israel instead and even has him go on to prophetize Moab’s destruction to Balak. Chapter 25 ends with some of the Israelites praying to the false gods of Moab, so in order to save Israel from the plague, two people, a man of Israel and a Midianite woman are sacrificed by Phinehas, son of Eleazar.
What is one key verse?
Numbers 24 8-9 “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse them? May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
How does what you read change your vision of God?
Reading about when Israel suffered from the serpents and how Moses responded made me really think about what we need to do when we’re facing a crisis. Moses could have tried to handle the situation on his own, but instead, he first turned to God and prayed to God for an answer, in which God was able to provide an answer that would directly foreshadow Jesus’ crucifixion centuries later.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
I feel that I can find myself complaining about situations in my life somewhat often when I should be grateful for all that God has given me. Just like with Israelites, who had many blessings, they instead looked at what they were going through, which led them to ungratefulness. I want to look more to the blessings God has given me and praise Him more often for everything He has done in my life.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
Like Balaam, who was unable to see the angel of the Lord and hit his donkey three times, I need to pay more attention to where God is in my life. I find myself going through life and not seeing where God is a lot of the time and feel that I can keep a better eye out for God in my walk with Him.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
In chapter 21, Moses set up the bronze serpent on the pole and whoever looked at it would live from their snakebite, which is similar to how we see Jesus today with Him being crucified. The Israelites sinned and were bitten by serpents for their sin, but similar to how our sins are forgiven today, Jesus was stood up on a cross and we look to Him to forgive us for our sins.
Summary: In these chapters, God determines who will lead the Israelites in their worship of them, and he selects Aaron and the Levites. He then goes over what their duties will be. In this section, He also discusses what the Levites will be given from the offerings given to God, and what they must not do with them. God gives the Levites the tithes instead of a specific inheritance, but they must also give offerings to God, to honor Him. They also discuss the water for cleansing, and what to do in specific scenarios. In chapter 20, the water comes from the rock as a sign from God, because the Israelites are doubting Him. After this, the Israelites try to go through Edom and are not allowed to by their king and citizens, so then they must go around. After this occurs, Aaron dies after it is said that he will not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.
Key Verse and Reason:
Numbers 18:8, “Then the Lord said to Aaron ‘I myself have put you in charge of the offerings presented to me; all the holy offerings the Israelites give me I give to you and your sons as your portion, your perpetual share.’”
I chose this scripture because it shows how God is always taking care of his people, even giving what is given to Him to ensure that everyone is taken care of. I just love His character.
How does what you read change your vision of God?: These chapters are just a constant reminder of how much God loves His people, and wants them to be taken care of. He wants the proper respect shown to Him, but more than anything, He takes care of His people. I can think of God as a disciplinarian, or as someone who is just always watching, but these chapters reminded me that He always takes care of us, be it physically, emotionally, and always spiritually.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? I think that these chapters were a great reminder of how human we all are, and how God still loves us, and proves Himself to us. Even the Israelites who had seen amazing miracles sometimes doubted God, and were imperfect; even those God raised up, like Aaron. It helped me remember to show people mercy, even myself, which can be the hardest thing to do.
Go with God action step: I will try to show God’s love to others, and do so because God loves us and is always taking care of us, be it teaching the Israelites how to use hyssop, with antibacterial properties to keep them all safe and healthy, or by having water come from a rock to show His power. I will try to be a good representative of God’s love, be it with friends and family, or the people I talk to at work.
Jesus sighting: I saw Jesus in the waters of cleansing. It starts off talking about a sacrifice, like how Jesus was sacrificed for us, then has discussion of cleansing oneself after being in contact with a human corpse, and being unclean for seven days. They had to cleanse themself after 3 days, and Jesus rose in three days, which is how we are able to be cleansed of our sins.
“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” I’ve realized rebelling against the one person who loves and wants to protect me actually pushes myself out of alignment with Him. “Suffering” with Him is better than happiness without Him.
How does what you read change your vision of God?
Viewing God as a loving father whose sole purpose is to encourage me, changes my perspective to learning a curiosity to understand what God has in store for me. Following God doesn’t mean no pain, but gives me access to an eternal perspective.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
I know saying people’s problems aren’t a big deal doesn’t sound supportive but I believe we can lift our problems or hurts above God. We forget the healing of a season we just come out of and once again focus on the pain. Numbing us to true healing.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
Try to find peace in the storm. Jesus and the disciples were on the boat during the storm yet Jesus had enough peace to sleep while the others were terrified. Next time when to pain comes, embrace it because God won’t let you be lost in the unknown.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
When Moses was begging God to forgive the Israelites, He did just that. I think God just wants us to open our hearts and chase Him so He can roll out those sweet blessings.
This passage begins with the Lord instructing Moses and the people about Passover, and making accommodations for those who are ceremonially unclean or traveling during the time that it is traditionally celebrated. It then describes how the presence of the Lord in a cloud above the tabernacle determines the camping and setting out of the people. The Israelites move on from Sinai, where we see the Isrealites complain about their lack of meat. When Moses expressed his frustration and anxiety over the situation, God has him gather the leaders of the camp, and shares some of His Spirit with them. God also causes quail to come into the camp, but punishes the Israelites for their rejection of His provision with a plague. These chapters end with Moses facing opposition from his own brother and sister, Miriam and Aaron! God defends His choice of Moses as His spokesperson, and punishes Miriam with leprosy. When Moses prays for her, Miriam is healed, but has to stay outside of the camp for seven days.
What is one key verse?
“Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in the camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.” – Numbers 9:22
This verse is key to me because in it, the Israelites demonstrate radical trust in God. I cannot even imagine how much trust it would have taken to just pick up and move whenever the cloud lifted, even if it only stayed for a night!
How does what you read change your vision of God?
I am amazed at God’s kindness and patience as I read through these passages. There are so many instances where God could have given up the Israelites as hopeless causes, but instead He chooses to keep working on them. I am reminded of how patient and loving God is with me throughout my walk with Him.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
My vision of others is changed because I am inspired to have more patience with others’ mistakes. Often I can become frustrated, especially when people that I am trying to help keep making the same mistakes. But I see God’s heart towards the Israelites never changes from one of love, even when He allows them to suffer the consequences of disobedience.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I want to have more patience with myself and others when we keep on making the same mistakes. I want to remember that God has a vision for us, just as He did for the Israelites
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
I see Jesus in the way that God deals patiently with the Israelites. In His ministry, Jesus often dealt with His own people making the same mistakes over and over, and He has mercy on them. He sees the crowds as harassed and helpless, and seeks to lead them towards good things, just as God is trying to lead the Israelites towards the Promised Land.
The book of Numbers opens with the Isrealites having been at Mt.Sinai for about a year. Though the Isrealites had been unfaithful in the covenant God made with them; God graciously provided a way for Israel to live near his holy presence in the Tabernacle. Numbers five through eight is a collection of laws and instructions that further develop the purity laws from Leviticus. God speaks to Israel through Moses about the purity of the camp, restitution for wrongs, unfaithful wives, the Nazarite laws, priestly blessings, the lamp stands, the Levites, and offerings at the dedication of the Tabernacle. If God was going to dwell among his people then every effort needed to be made to make the came pure and into a place that welcomed God’s holiness.
Key Verse: Numbers 8:21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them.
Why: Numbers 85-88 tells us that Altogether the silver dishes for the offering weighed 2,400 shekels and the gold dishes 120 shekels. The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 male goats, and 60 male lambs. Out of all this that was sacrificed and offered up to the Lord the most important was Aaron purifying the Levites and presenting them as a wave offering to the Lord. Are we purifying ourselves and offering up our lives to God?
How does what you read change your vision of God: I know that God is just and righteous. That sometimes leads me to believe that God’s plan is to eventually right the wrongs of our world and to make our world a better place. This is something that I can hope and pray for because our world is so lost and corrupt. Reading these scriptures helped me to refocus on the fact that God’s ultimate plan is not to save our world but to save us and to be with his people. God had all this work done with the Tabernacle, the arrangement of the camp, and gave all these detailed instructions to the Israelites so that he could be with his people.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others: When I think of myself in relation to God I normally think servant or child. Going back to the key verse Numbers 8:21, we’re also meant to be like a pure offering to God. Offering up our lives and our very selves.
Action plan: Moving forward I plan to “purify” myself and my life of “unclean” things. Just as the Lord commanded the Israelites to purify themselves and the camp we should make every effort to purify our lives. Purifying our lives is going to look different from person to person. For you it could mean not listening to certain music, not hanging out with certain people, or anything that can corrupt our character and hearts.
Where do you see Jesus in these chapters: All the sacrifices that were made for the dedication of the Tabernacle were commanded by God and made in his name. However, those sacrifices were temporary and none of them were perfect. This reminds me of Jesus and how he is both the perfect and eternal sacrifice. God wants to be with his people and he wants us to be with him. That’s always been his plan. He dwelled among his people in the tabernacle and walked among them through Jesus. Through Jesus we have the opportunity to be with God.
In Numbers 1-4, God is speaking to Moses and Aaron in the tent of meeting in the desert of Sinai. God gave instructions to Moses on how to go about collecting a census of the Israelites. Moses was given names of men who were to help him accomplish this task who in time provided the names of their clans and families. Later on the reading, instructions are also given about how the tribes are to be arranged/where they are to live in relationship to the location of the tabernacle.
What is one key verse?
A key verse that stood out to me was Numbers 1:3 which says “You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army.”
How does what you read change your vision of God?
When I read this I recognized that the census was a vital part of the plan in the preparation of the Israelites in getting to the Promised Land. The Israelites had already received the promise of Canaan but now needed to start thinking about how that was going to happen and that included counting the number of persons who would be able to fight for it. God was helping his people get an inventory, to see who they had and who was capable of going to war. God puts first things first. He is a God who has priorities and a plan which He is attempting to teach his children.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
It shows me how I need to put time into preparing for things in my life. I truly need to start counting the cost to see if I have what it takes to do the things I set out to accomplish. I can approach life with such a laid back attitude and often quit my undertakings prematurely due to lack of foresight and poor prep work.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I will let my yes be yes and no be no with others, but in this circumstance be more accountable to myself. I will not impulsively set out goals for myself or tell people I’m going to do this or that without first sitting down and considering the magnitude of the responsibility and considering if I have the resources to accomplish my task.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
I thought about the verses in Luke 14 where Jesus is teaching about the importance of counting the cost before we begin a task or project (and namely following him!) The Numbers reading really highlights Jesus’ teaching that there is order to accomplishing things, considerations that must be made, and a correct way of doing things!
In these passages the Lord is explaining to moses a standard to live by. In chapter 24 it discusses being the light, communing with God, and on the adverse side betraying Gods commandments and taking sinful humanistic action in the world. It also talks over the sabbath and how to live by this as a standard. Fine details are explained on how to carry out Gods word during the Sabbath so there wasn’t a question of how it was a matter of follow through. When the people lived by this standard God blessed them and when they were disobedient he punished them. The book ends by explaining in detail how to make vows.
What is one key verse?
Leviticus 25- 35-37 “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.”
How does what you read change your vision of God?
Reading this and thinking about how long ago it was written shows me that God knows us to the fiber of our being. He knows how he created us and the traps we fall subject to. He knows we need very detailed descriptions of how to live. God also knows that our sinful nature is constantly pulling us and we need to know that there are consequences and blessings in everything we do.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
I need to give more selflessly and consistently to those in my life. I find that I am good at giving to people in spurts but to maintain this for a lifelong standard will require me to rely on the Lord and surrender more.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I am going to be conscience about my heart with those closest to me and try to not just count on them always being there and taking them for granted but to treat them as a gift in my life that God has given me.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
Jesus was the ultimate light and he never burns out. We have access to that same light through him and he didn’t compromise Gods standards to please people. While it may not be understood to those around us why we live the way we do Jesus set the ultimate example of living for God and the entire world was changed because of it.
2020 Bible Vision 