Numbers – Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment.

March 7, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 18:10-35. This chapter contains the parable of the lost sheep, which leads naturally into the subject of forgiveness, reconciliation and church discipline. Jesus also promised that “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them”. The chapter ends with the parable of the unmerciful servant.

Numbers 33 is a reciting of Israel’s Journey from Egypt, and provides instructions on how the Israelites were to conquer Canaan.

Numbers 34, defines the Boundaries of Canaan and mentions all the leaders appointed to divide the land.

Numbers 35 defines the forty-two Cities for the Levites and their six Cities of Refuge.

Numbers 36 tells about the Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters and why the Israelite women must marry within their tribe.

March 6, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 18:1-10. To the question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child. Then he expanded the question and elaborated on the subject of sin.

In Numbers 29 the specifications for offerings continue, Offerings at the Feast of Trumpets, Offerings at the Day of Atonement and finally Offerings at the Feast of Tabernacles.

Numbers 30 is short, and it deals with what the Law says about vows.

Numbers 31. The Israelites executed vengeance on the Midianites, returned from the war and dividied the spoils.

Numbers 32, The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh decided to settle East of Jordan.

Psalm 18 is the fourth longest psalm. David wrote it ” To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:” (Read it, ponder and enjoy it.)

March 5, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 17:14-27. The disciples tried to heal a boy with epilepsy but failed. Jesus healed him immediately. The disciples could not do it because they had so little faith. Jesus also predicted his death, and the tax collectors came to Peter to collect the poll tax. Jesus solved this by telling Peter to go fishing and from the first fish he caught he would take the four drachma coin swallowed by the fish. That did take care of the tax for both Peter and Jesus.

Numbers 26 lists in detail, by tribe, the Second Census of Israel.

Numbers 27 defines inheritance laws, and it was decided that Joshua should succeed Moses.

Numbers 28 is all about offerings, the Daily Offerings, Sabbath Offerings, Monthly Offerings, Offerings at Passover and Offerings at the Feast of Weeks.

Psalm 17 demonstrates David’s total trust in God and not in self in spite of David’s best efforts. It can be summarized: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings” with regard to the threats from David’s enemies.

March 4, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

March 3, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 16:13-28. Peter made his famous confession: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Right after that Jesus predicted his death, unto which Peter said “Never” and Jesus answered “Get behind me, Satan.” Those were strong words. Jesus furthermore said “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Finally Jesus predicted his transfiguration.

In Numbers 21 the Canaanites were defeated in Hormath. The people kept speaking against God, so God sent venomous snakes their way and many died. Moses made a bronze snake, put it on a pole and when people looked at it, they got healed. (Does that remind you of a symbol used even today?) The travels continued.

Numbers 22 tells the story of how Balak sent for Balaam, and how Balaam’s Donkey behaved when he saw the Angel.

March 2, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 16:1-12. the Jews demanded a sign. Jesus told them the there will be no sign other than the sign of Jonah: Three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread and Jesus coincidentally told them : Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Huh? Jesus had to explain to them he meant the doctrine, not literal yeast.

Numbers 18 describes the duties of Priests and Levites, offerings for Supporting the Priests, tithes Supporting the Levites and the tithe of the Levites. As representatives of the LORD they were entitled to get the best part.

Numbers 19 details the laws and procedures of Purification, and introduces the red heifer.

In Numbers 20. Moses committed a major error in Kadesh. Thy were short on water, so God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses smote the rock. Water sprung forth but God punished Moses and his people so severely that that generation was not allowed to enter the promised land. Why did God give them this harsh punishment? The rock was to be smitten only once, the second time Moses was to speak to the rock, a foreshadowing of Jesus, who was smitten once for our sins. At the end of the chapter Aaron died.

March 1, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 15:21-39. Jesus went to Canaanite territory, the region of Tyre and Sidon where he met a Canaanite woman with a sick daughter. She had such great a faith that Jesus healed her daughter from afar. Jesus went back to the sea of Galilee and did many other miracles. Large crowds followed him, and after having been without food for three days he fed the crowd of 4000 (plus women and children). This time they had seven loaves of bread and a few fishes. After eating to everybody’s satisfaction the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftovers. (No waste here).

Numbers 15 deals with Laws of Grain and Drink Offerings, Laws Concerning Unintentional Sin, Laws concerning Presumptuous Sin, Penalty for Violating the Sabbath, and specifies how to make Tassels on Garments, all good stuff if you are an orthodox Jew.

In Numbers 16. Korah, Dathan and Abiram as well as 250 other men rose up in opposition to Moses. It did not turn out well for them.

Numbers 17 tells of the budding of Aaron’s rod, a really short chapter.

February 28, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 15:1-20. Jesus defined what defiles a person; it is not what he eats, but what comes out of his mouth. Ceremonial cleansing is just for show.

In Numbers 14 the people rebelled and refused to go into the promised land. As a punishment the people had to continue wandering for forty years in the desert until that generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, had passed away. Meanwhile the people tried to take on the Amalekites in their own strength, but failed miserably.

Psalm 21, of David. The New Testament references from Revelation 14 seems to fit. When I read this Psalm, the battle hymn of the republic kept ringing in my ears.

February 27, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 14:15-36. After learning of the beheading of John the Baptist Jesus tried to withdraw from the people by boat to a solitary place, but there he found a large crowd, so he decided to feed the gathering of 5000 plus women and children with five loaves of bread and two small fishes. After all were satisfied, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus dismissed the crowd, made the disciples go in a boat to travel to the other side of Lake Gennesaret, and then after Jesus had prayed alone he joined them by walking on the water. A very interesting read.

In Numbers 11 the people complained about eating manna every day, so God put His spirit on seventy elders to prophecy, but He also sent them quail , a delicious game bird, but after eating quail for a whole month until it came out their nostrils; they got sick, and so God punished the gluttons.

In Numbers 12 Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses and Miriam suffered the consequences.

In Numbers 13 God prepared His people to take the land He had promised them, so they were sending out scouts to survey the land and how best to conquer it. They came back with a discouraging report; it is a good land flowing with milk and honey, but the people are too strong for them, they felt like grasshoppers in their sight. Only Caleb dissented. (Joshua joined Caleb in the next chapter).

February 26, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Matthew 14:1-14 tells about John the Baptist being beheaded. It is interesting that most people know the name of the daughter of Herodias, but it is not in the Bible. There is another Salome in the Bible, but she was a follower of Jesus. After learning of the beheading of John the Baptist Jesus tried to withdraw from the people by boat to a solitary place, but there he found a large crowd, so he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Numbers 8 deals with setting the Levites apart for their duties.

Numbers 9 defines how the Passover shall be celebrated from that time on. It also describes the cloud over the tabernacle, if it lifted they moved on, if it stayed, they stayed.

Numbers 10 tells of making two silver trumpets and with the blasts from them they finally leave Sinai, still in formation, tribe by tribe.