Year 1, Week 19, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 19, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 27-28.

Today’s reading contains issues relevant for the new generation’s readiness to enter the Promised Land. In the immediate aftermath of the new census, Numbers 27 begins with a matter of land inheritance. The second census was to help determine the size of the land allotments based on tribal populations. The land was to be passed down to and through the fathers and sons. But the daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses in their desire to lay claim to their father’s land allotment. The remainder of Numbers 27 addresses who will succeed Moses as Israel’s next leader. Joshua is the choice. Numbers 28, which is connected to Numbers 29, reminds Israel of the worship calendar that was to orient their life in the land.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the LORD’s provision to prepare His people for life in the land: “Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.” (Psalm 78:52-55). With an entire new generation in place, the LORD readies His people for their new life. Their life in the land would be oriented around the LORD’s presence. The reality of this is seen in the various episodes of the chapters in today’s reading.

The appeal of the daughters of Zelophehad is about acquisition of land: “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.” (Numbers 27:3-4). But there is more to their request and a mere land grab. The daughters of Zelophehad want a claim in the promises of God. While the earlier generation lacked the faith to take possession of the land, these ladies of faith are believing that the LORD will give even them the fulfillment of God’s promises. As Moses inquires of the LORD, these ladies will be granted an inheritance, even as the LORD widens the rules of inheritance: “And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 26:11).

The preparations for Moses’ successor is another aspect of the LORD’s preparations to ready Israel for the Land. Moses is given a glimpse of the Land that Israel would soon possess, even as the LORD reminds him that he would not enter it: “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word” (Numbers 27:12-14a). Moses’ burden is not for himself, but for the people who will need a leader: “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.” (Numbers 27:16-17). Israel would need a leader who will “go out before them and come in before them.” This is an expression that describes a military leader who conquers and protects his people. The phrase will be used of Israel’s kings, such as David: “In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel.” (2 Samuel 5:2a). But a second quality is also listed: “hat the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” The imagery of a shepherd as a leader emphasizes the qualities of nurturing and providing that a leader must possess. Once again, David would be called to possess this quality: “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:2b). Joshua becomes a preview of the line of faithful Davidic kings, who, in turn, become a preview of Israel’s ultimate king: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

The restatement of Israel’s worship calendar, which begins in today’s reading and continues into tomorrow’s reading, underscores the centrality of the LORD and His worship. Life in the Land would not just consist of living in a certain geographical location. Life in the Land would consist of being oriented by the presence of the LORD. Israel was to live their lives before the LORD even as their daily, weekly, monthly, and annual routines of worship were designed to instruct them in being devoted to the LORD: “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time” (Numbers 28:1-2). Their worship, and by extension, their lives were to be a “pleasing aroma” to the LORD (Numbers 28:2,6,8,13,24,27; 29:2,8,13,36). While the sacrificial system contained in the Old Covenant provisionally enabled Israel to be pleasing aroma to God, Jesus has secured a permanent arrangement through the New covenant so that His people are a pleasing aroma: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Thus, as pleasing aromas, we can live that out through a life of love.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe