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February 23rd
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 1 and 2.
When we read the record of Numbers, we are reading the 4th book of the “Pentateuch”...Pentateuch meaning “5 books/5 scrolls.”
I think that the title, Numbers, is interesting. The English translations call it “numbers”, from Greek and Latin versions. The most common Hebrew title is ”in the wilderness”, more descriptive of almost 38 years of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness.
But the second Hebrew title grabs me the most:”and he spoke”...not Moses speaking, but God speaking to Israel. The most important thing that happened during the wilderness wanderings of Israel.
The sad part about that title? .Israel was slow to listen to God speaking...and even slower to live in harmony with His words. Which led to 38+ years of wasted living.
That is a warning to all believers, wouldn't you say?
Now to the text...“God spoke to Moses, in the tent of meeting...in the second month of the second year after Israel came out of Egypt....” take a census of the congregation, God said... and assemble the leaders of the twelve clans.”...and Moses and Israel did what God said.”
Again, God invites Moses to meet with Him in the Tabernacle. The cloud of God’s presence hovered over the Tent of Meeting. The people in the camp can see it!!!
“Wonder what God is saying to our leader.” I have to believe that one main reason why God invited Moses to the tent, “to His Place,” was to show the people that God was giving Moses “authority” in the congregation. Not because Moses was so much better than everyone...but because he was God’s choice for the task.
So, when the people “self centeredly” refused to follow Moses’ leadership, God was letting them know that they were refusing His.
Moving on...Let us remember, at this time in our reading, God is preparing Israel to march into Canaan, ready for battle. The census is taken in order to form a roster of fighting men...20 years of age and up.
The book of Numbers looks ahead to the invasion of the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
So why was the land so important?...because it would be from that land that the Messiah promised would come from there. It would be in that land that the One perfect sacrifice for sin would die to save sinners to eternal life.
The land was important because it “cradled” Jesus...and it “crucified” him...just as God the Father planned. There had to be “this” promised land...because there had to be Jesus!!
Looking forward to hearing God speak to us in Numbers.
And one more thing...a trip, that would only take 2 weeks on foot, lasted 40 years. We will discover why....in the rest of the story.
Have a great day
