Numbers 32

Here in this chapter we read a story of compromise. The two and a half tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh wanted to stay on the east side of the Jordan rather than cross to the true Promise Land along with the other tribes of Israel.

Moses reproved them for it and said that their actions would discourage Israel from possessing the Promise Land. But the two and half tribes insisted and assured Moses that they would help the other tribes cross over the Jordan and possess the land but they themselves will return back to that part of the land to be with their wives, little ones, flocks and livestock after the conquest. They saw how good the land was for their livestock and so they decided to stay there.

Moses agreed to compromise and give them consent. This was clearly wrong on Moses' part. God's intention and will was that all the tribes of Israel was to cross over the Jordan and settle in the Promise Land.

The chapter ends with the two and half tribes possessing that part of the Jordan.

The tragedy of such a compromise is seen in the subsequent history of the nation many years later.

Numbers 31

Here in this chapter we read of God instructing the Israelites to punish the Midianites for corrupting Israel with their women. It was so serious---their relationship with God was placed at stake. And so 12,000 men (a thousand from each tribe of Israel) went to war with Midian. It was a holy war led by Phinehas.

They killed all the males including the five kings of Midian. Balaam, the one who masterminded the corruption of Israel by Midian, was also put to death. Israel, however, took all the women with their little ones as captives. They took their animals and all their goods with them but burned their cities and their forts.

When they returned, Moses got angry with the military leaders for letting the women live. These women caused Israel to sin against the Lord through the counsel of Balaam. And so Moses commanded to execute all the women except those who did not know any man intimately, those who did not participate in the seduction. Midianite boys were to be executed too.

Midianite culture was deep in immorality and idolatry. It was so ingrained in them that the only thing left to do with them was to have them executed. God saw in advance that these boys would grow up into men who would perpetuate the anti-God culture of Midian. The women among the Midianites who did not know any man sexually were shown mercy and were therefore spared for the mitigating circumstance that they did not participate in the seduction of Israel into sexual immorality.

Then we read of the men who were involved in the war being instructed to do some ritual purification for seven days.

Then we read that what they took from war was divided between the soldiers and the non-soldiers in Israel.

When the soldiers found out that not one soldier among them was missing in the battle, they decided to add an additional offering to the Lord as a sign of their thanksgiving to Him.

Numbers 30

Here we read of the law concerning vows. If a man made a vow and an oath then he was responsible to fulfill it. He has bound himself to some obligation, it is binding, he could not be released from it.

In the case of women, it's different. A woman living under the authority of her father in his house can have her vows nullified by the father. But if her father does not object to it, then her vows are binding. However, if the father objects to it on the day he heard it, then all her vows will be cancelled. The Lord will release her from her vows.

It's the same with a married woman. Her husband has the authority to cancel her vows so long as he expressed his objection to it on the day he heard it. His silence on the matter, however, meant consent.

Widows or divorced women who made vows in their widowhood or in their state of being divorced are obligated to perform their vows. Their vows are absolutely binding.

If they made their vows while they were still with their husbands and their husbands did not object to it, they were bound to fulfill it. If, however, their husbands objected to it, they were released.

If, at first, he gave consent to the vow but in some other day changed his mind about it and prevented his wife from performing her vows, he will bear his wife's guilt.

Numbers 29

Here in this chapter we read of offerings on the Feasts of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the offerings at the Feast of Tabernacles. These are annual events.

These offerings along with the other offerings to be made that are stipulated in chapter 28 make up the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly offerings.

Numbers 28

Here in this chapter we read of the daily, weekly and monthly offerings, along with the offerings to be made at Passover and on the day of first-fruits.

These offerings are demanded to make them realize the enormity of sin, the importance of maintaining fellowship with God and the absolute necessity of a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

That such number of sacrifices are needed should point them to the enormity of sin. That such frequency of sacrifices must be made should point them to the importance of maintaining fellowship with God and the absolute necessity of a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

Numbers 27

Here in this chapter we read of the daughters of Zelophehad who asked for an inheritance from Moses. Their situation was this---Zelophehad had no sons but only had five daughters. The allocations of the portions of land were given to male family heads. This would mean that they would not have an inheritance. Their request was granted along with an enactment concerning the law of inheritance.

We read also that Moses was granted by God to see the Promise Land before he would die. Then we read of Joshua appointed as the successor of Moses.

Numbers 26

Here in this chapter we read of a second census conducted by Moses and Eleazar among the children of Israel---men from 20 years old and above who were able to go to war.

At this point, they are about to possess the land promised by God. The size of the inheritance of each tribe was in direct proportion to the population of each tribe. Lots were cast to determine the location of each tribe's territory.

Then we read of a census conducted among the tribe of Levi. The number of male Levites, from a month old and above, was 23,000.

 Except for Joshua and Caleb, none remained alive during the first census. They died in the wilderness.

Numbers 25

Here in this chapter we read of the immorality and idolatry of Israel. Balaam, wanting to gain for himself the sizable financial reward he would get from Balak, instructed Balak how to put a curse on Israel. We could not read this in this chapter but other portions of the Bible tell us that this is so (see  Num_31:16; Rev_2:14, 2 Pe 2:15 and Jude 1:11)

His advice apparently went along like this---Balak was to seduce Israel by making them commit immorality and idolatry through sexual relations with women from Moab and Midian.

This Israel did and the Lord's anger was aroused. A plague broke out. The Lord told Moses to kill all who were involved. One Israelite man from the tribe of Simeon, by the name of Zimri, boldly and openly, flaunted his sin by bringing a Midianite women, by the name of Cozbi, into his tent.

When Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, saw all this, he took spear in his hand and went inside the tent and impaled the man and the woman with it. Death penalty was served. As a result, the plague was stopped but 24,000 already died because of it.

God rewarded Phinehas for his zeal for God by promising him that his family would be the chief priestly family in Israel.

Then God commanded Moses to view the Midianites as their enemies and that they should punish them.

Numbers 24

Here in this chapter we read of Balaam yet again blessing Israel two more times to the dismay of Balak who wanted to curse Israel.

He prophesied about Israel's blessed condition, that they will be beautiful, fruitful, prosperous and victorious. And then he prophesied about the coming ruler of Israel. Moreover, Moab would be conquered by Israel and that in addition, the Edomites, Amalekites, Kenites and Assyrians would be destroyed,

Numbers 23

Here in this chapter we read of Balaam blessing Israel instead of cursing them as Balak would have it.

In the first instance, Balaam prophesied about Israel's multiplication and enviable standing and destiny before God: “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!”"

In the second instance, Balaam blessed Israel that God was on his side and that he would be victorious over his enemies.

Each time, it angered Balak but Balaam spoke what God had revealed to him.

Numbers 22

Here in this chapter we read of the king of Moab, Balak, threatened by the presence of Israel near them. So he sent for Balaam, a man whom he believed had the power to curse Israel.

Balaam, at first, refused, being told by God not to go. Then, a second delegation of men were sent back to him to convince him to come, this time with a promise of a rich payout from them. Balaam piously responded that even though they would give him a huge reward of money, he would not do anyting that would be against God's will. Balaam again consulted the Lord about the matter. This time, God, as a test for Balaam, permitted him to go, on the condition that Balaam would only speak God's word to Balak.

When he went, apparently, a perverse motivation entered his heart. The glitter of riches apparently took root in his heart as 2 Peter 2:15 tells us: "They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." He was tempted to compromise for the sake of money.

He did not go to obey God, but, now, he went for the sake of money. As an illustrative rebuke of his dumb stubbornness, God caused his donkey to be stubborn from obeying Balaam's will. Balaam wanted to go one way, but his donkey would not, it would go another way, because the Angel of the Lord prevented it. As his donkey was to Balaam, so was Balaam to the Lord.

The Angel of the Lord showed himself to Balaam and was rebuked, again reiterating that he should only speak what God wants him to speak and not compromise for the sake of money.

Eventually, he and Balak met and Balak showed him Israel and portrayed them as a threat that needs to be cursed.

Numbers 21

Here in this chapter we read first of Israel being attacked by the Canaanite ruler, king Arad, who took captives from Israel. But Israel, now, believing in God, defeated king Arad in their counter strike, as opposed to what happened many years before (Numbers 14:45) when they were defeated because of their unbelief.

Then we read again that the people, as they continued their journey, murmured and complained again against God and Moses. As punishment, God sent them fiery snakes and many died. The people cried out and sought for mercy, and so Moses was told by God to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole that anyone who was bitten who would look at it would live.  

Israel then further journeyed, making various stopovers at certain places.

Then as they got to the border of Sihon, king of the Amorites, they sent messengers to him to ask permission that they, if he pleases, would pass through his territory. They promised that they won't take anything from his land. But Sihon reacted violently against Israel. But Israel defeated him and took possession of his territory.

As they continued their journey, Israel was met again by another opposition. Og, king of Bashan, came out against them. Emboldened by God's promise of victory, Israel fought and defeated Og. They then also took possession of his land.

Numbers 20

Here in this chapter we read of the death of Miriam. Then the chapter proceeds with a very familiar story. There was shortage of resources and the people as usual complained to Moses with their usual characteristic angry speech.

Moses and Aaron, as usual turned to God to deal with the matter. God then gave them instructions what to do but they (Moses and Aaron) failed to obey God and honor Him. He was instructed to speak to the rock but he struck it with his rod. He also made it appear that he was the performer of the miracle instead of being simply an instrument of it. As a result, he was debarred from entering the land with Aaron, who apparently supported him in his sin.

Then we read of Edom, Israel's brother nation, not allowing them to use their land for Israel to traverse en route to the Promise Land. Edom even got violent on Israel. And so Israel turned away.

Aaron was about to die. He was not allowed to enter the Promise Land and so the priesthood was transferred to Aaron's son Eleazar. Aaron died and Israel mourned for him.

Numbers 19

Here in this chapter we read of the water of purification. It will be used in cases when defilement through contact with the dead takes place.

The first part of the chapter tells us how this water of purification was prepared. A red heifer was to be sacrificed and burned. Its ashes will be mixed with water. The second part of the chapter tells us about the use and application of the water on certain persons who had defiled themselves through contact with a dead body.

Numbers 18

Here in this chapter, we read again of God reiterating the roles and functions of Aaron and his sons and that of the Levites. Their position and place are clearly defined. Aaron and his sons will be responsible for what happens in connection with the priestly work in the tabernacle. The Levites were given by God to assist Aaron and his sons. But only Aaron and his sons will be responsible for the priestly work. The Levites are not to intrude into it.

Then we read of the portion of the priests for their sustenance, followed by the portion of the Levites for their own sustenance. Since they work in connection with the tabernacle full time and since they had no inheritance of land in Israel, the people are responsible to support them.