Saturday, July 21, 2018

Life in the Desert - Num 26-36: Laws and Events in the Plains of Moab


Highlights from this part of Numbers include the second census (after the first generation had all perished), the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses, the many offerings described as a “pleasing aroma to the LORD,” the binding nature of vows under various circumstances, the destruction of Midian, the review of the wilderness route, the boundary divisions of the land, and voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Among the most often quoted statements is found in Nu 32:23. “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.”
------------
These are lesson notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form.  
To see thumbnails of all posts on this blog:
To receive email notifications of future posts, enter your email address at the lower left corner of the page where it says, “FOLLOW BY EMAIL.” You'll get an email from FeedBurner. Just click the link inside it to confirm that you want to subscribe.
For the other lessons in this series, click on the "Life in the Desert" link in the left column on this page.
------------
Numbers 26
26:1-65 The Second Census
For the new generation, in the plains of Moab.
Following the death of 24,000 by plague. 25:9
Those age 20 and up, able to go to war.
26:11 Sons of Korah did not die.
26:33 Zelophahad had only daughters, no sons.
26:52-56 Basis of future land allotment.
26:57-62 Counting of the Levites.
26:63-65 Only Caleb and Joshua from 1st gen.
Numbers 27
27:1-11 The Daughters of Zelophehad
Five enterprising, courageous young women!
Issue: no brothers (legal male heirs).
Land given to daughters, keeping it in the family.
They must marry within their tribe (36:1-12).
Later they received inheritance (Josh 17:3-6).
27:12-23 Joshua Appointed to Succeed Moses
Moses, soon to die, to view entire land.
Senses need for, requests shepherd. Joshua.
Numbers 28
Schedule and Quantities for Public Offerings.
To begin upon entry into the Promised Land.
Unblemished males. Cumulative. Often in 7’s.
28:1-8 The Daily Offering
28:9-10 The Sabbath Offerings
28:11-15 The New Moon Sacrifices
28:16-25 The Feast of Unleavened Bread
28:26-31 The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
Numbers 29
Repeated: “pleasing aroma to the LORD.”
29:1-6 The Feast of Trumpets
29:7-11 The Day of Atonement
29:12-38 The Feast of Booths
What did they look like? See image above.
29:39-40 Clarification and Summary
Congregational vs. voluntary individual offerings.
Numbers 30
30:1-16 The Obligations of Vows
Why would God require people to honor vows?
30:1-2 Men and Vows
30:3-5 Young Women at Home
30:6-8 Newly Married Women
30:9 Widows and Divorcees
30:10-15 Married Women
30:16 Summary
What did Jesus teach? Matt 5:33-37; 23:16-22
Numbers 31
31:1-12 Retribution Against Midian – Holy War
Because they led Israel into sin (Num 25).
1000 soldiers from each tribe. Killed Balaam, etc.
31:13-18 Moses’ Anger: Some Were Spared
Male children, too. Purpose: not to blame them for parents’ sin, but to prevent future Midianites.
31:19-24 Purification for Uncleanness
31:25-47 Division of Spoils of War
31:48-54 Head Count and Atonement Offering
Numbers 32
32:1-42 The Settlement in Transjordan
32:1-5 Reuben, Gad Request Eastern Inheritance
“Do not take us across the Jordan.”
32:6-15 Moses’ Rebuke of Tribal Selfishness
32:16-27 Revised Proposal with Invasion Role
32:23 “Be sure your sin will find you out.”
32:28-32 Confirmation of Agreement
32:33-42 Provisional Defensive Settlement
Numbers 33
33:1-56 Review of Wilderness Route
33:1-4 Exodus From Egypt
33:5-15 Route From Egypt to Sinai
33:16-36 March to Kadesh, Wanderings
33:37-49 Journey to Plains of Moab
33:50-56 Command: Expel People, Destroy Idols, and Possess Land
Numbers 34
34:1-15 Description of Boundaries
34:16-29 Choice of Leaders for Land Division
Eleazar the priest and Joshua to divide the land.
Tribal chiefs all new except for Caleb of Judah.
Numbers 35
35:1-8 Cities for the Levites (48 Total)
35:9-34 Cities of Refuge
For those committing accidental manslaughter.
35:9-15 Their Selection and Purpose
35:16-21 Homicide Deserving Death
Use of blunt instruments implied intent to kill.
35:22-29 Homicide Not Deserving Death
Without enmity or premeditation.
35:30-34 Final Points
Numbers 36
36:1-12 Marriage of Zelophehad’s Daughters
Tribe of Manasseh. Again, if they married out of their tribe, their family would lose its land.
Solution: they must marry within the clan, tribe.
36:13 Summary, Reminder, and Conclusion
“These are the commandments and the ordinances which the LORD commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.”

No comments: