Day 62
Today's Reading:
Numbers 25
Numbers 26
Numbers 27
Numbers 28
Israel chose the wide path of destruction through idolatry and immorality with Baal of Peor. This led many to sin and resulted in a devastating plague and God’s judgment that claimed the lives of thousands. We rejoice today that we have the narrow gate of eternal life through Jesus. He is the Way, calling us from a life of sin into faithful fellowship with God. Just as Moses went to God in humble prayer and intercession to seek guidance, we too are called to turn to the Lord for direction, fearing His holy name and walking in obedience. The broad road leads to ruin, but the narrow path, while challenging, brings true life in Christ. In what areas of your life today might you be tempted toward the “wide path” of compromise, and how can looking to Jesus as the narrow gate strengthen you to choose faithfulness instead?
In yesterday’s reading, Balak was trying to have Balaam curse Israel but was unsuccessful, as God would not allow it. Balak took Balaam to observe the Israelites in the plains from the top of Peor (Numbers 23:28). Fast forward to Numbers 31:16, and we learn that the women enticed the Israelites into sexual sin and marriage with Moabite and Midianite women by the advice of Balaam. This was done in an attempt to get around God’s blessing and effectively “curse” the Israelites according to Balak’s wishes.
The Israelite men were led to worship and be “yoked” to Baal of Peor, a fertility god. There were many Baals, as the name referred to Canaanite deities. God was angry at their rebellious nature and sent a plague that killed 24,000 people. He also commanded Moses to have the leaders executed. Moses relayed the command to the judges. While the people were repenting at the entrance to the tabernacle, an Israelite man named Zimri had the audacity to bring the Midianite chief’s daughter, Kozbi, into his tent in public defiance of God’s laws.
The plague was stopped when Aaron’s grandson Phinehas speared both the man and the woman like a shish kabob as they were committing sin. Because Phinehas upheld God’s honor, God granted him a covenant of peace. This guaranteed that his lineage would continue in the priesthood to help preserve Israel’s holiness. God then declared that the Midianites would be enemies of Israel because they had led the people into idolatry and the worship of Baal.
After the plague, it had been about 38 years since Moses and Aaron had taken the first census (Numbers 1:46). God now commanded Moses and Eleazar to take a new census. The total number of men age 20 and older who were eligible for war was 601,730. This was slightly fewer than the first census of 603,550. God had vowed that the Exodus generation would not see the Promised Land, and through this census we see that only the faithful Caleb and Joshua remained, just as God had promised.
Verse 26:8 highlighted Eliab and his sons, Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. This is the same Dathan and Abiram who, along with Korah, led the rebellion against Moses and Aaron and were swallowed by the earth (Numbers 16). Including their genealogy served as a warning and a remembrance. However, the line of Korah did not die out, because Korah’s children did not follow their father’s path of sin.
The genealogy also showed the line of Judah and the Perezite clan. Perez was one of the twins born to Judah and Tamar, Tamar being his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38). These additions were important because they demonstrated God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises.
The distribution of the land was based on the size of each clan. Larger clans received larger land allotments, and the land was assigned by casting lots, similar to drawing straws. Everyone received land except the Levites. God Himself was their inheritance because they had been chosen when they defended His honor during the Golden Calf incident. The Levites were devoted to serving God, and the required farming for food would have distracted them from their work at the tabernacle. Serving God and ministering to the people, rather than owning land, was what God desired.
When Moses’s father-in-law, Jethro, suggested appointing judges to help govern the people (Exodus 18:13–27), the inheritance issue later became a clear example of why that structure was needed. The leaders handled ordinary cases and brought difficult matters to Moses. In this instance, the five daughters of Zelophehad brought their case to Moses, Eleazar the high priest, and the leaders. Their father had died without sons, and they asked whether the inheritance could pass to them. Moses sought the Lord for guidance, and God established a new law. If a man died without sons, the inheritance would pass to his daughters, then to his brothers, and onward to the nearest relative. This is another example of laws being clarified as the community grew and new situations arose.
At the end of chapter 27, Moses was given the opportunity to see the Promised Land from afar. God told him that his time was near and that he would be “gathered to his people,” an assurance of covenantal hope beyond death. God reminded Moses of his disobedience at Meribah, when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, which was why he would not enter Canaan, the Promised Land. In humble submission, Moses asked the Lord to appoint a leader like a shepherd over the people.
Joshua was chosen as Moses’ successor. He was not Moses’ son, but he demonstrated faithful leadership. He led Israel’s army against the Amalekites, assisted Moses during the Golden Calf incident, and was one of the twelve spies who trusted God’s plan. God instructed Moses to transfer some of his authority to Joshua so the people would recognize him as their leader. Joshua would receive direction through the high priest Eleazar, using the Urim from the sacred breastplate to discern God’s will, rather than receiving direct revelation as Moses had.
In chapter 28, the Israelites were reminded of the offerings and feasts they were to observe when they entered the Promised Land. The animals were to be without blemish, and the offerings were described as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The purpose was continual worship marked by gratitude, obedience, and remembrance of God’s holiness. This chapter covered the daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, Passover and Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost or Firstfruits. For convenience, a reference URL is provided, along with an attached chart listing the festivals and their required sacrifices.
The Five Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel the Burnt Offering
Today's Discussion question:
In what areas of your life today might you be tempted toward the “wide path” of compromise, and how can looking to Jesus as the narrow gate strengthen you to choose faithfulness instead?
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