Category: Numbers

To recap, in Num 13, 12 spies were sent into Canaan to assess the land – 10 spies basically said it was impossible to inhabit the land, even with God’s help (the last part was implied, not explicit). Only 2 spies, Joshua and Caleb, said they could take the land (of course with God’s help,…

This dark chapter describes some unfortunate choices and consequences for many from Israel. “While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of…

After blessing Israel a third time, Balaam is sent away by an utterly frustrated Balak. Before leaving, Balaam prophesies the defeat of Moab: ” ‘…a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead[c] of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Edom…

Balak takes Balaam to multiple places overlooking Israel’s camp, hoping that Balaam would curse Israel. Each time Balaam waits for a word from God, and shares it with Balak. “And Balaam took up his discourse and said, ‘Rise, Balak, and hear; give ear to me, O son of Zippor: God is not man, that he…

This fascinating chapter is the first of three containing the account of Balaam, a servant of God. Balaam is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel, so Moab could hopefully overcome them in battle (for Israel was greater than Moab). There are so many aspects to this account we can’t discuss them…

This odd chapter contains three accounts of Israel conquering land from different kings who opposed them, as well as a song about a well (don’t ask me, I have no idea why this is in here…). There’s also this important section which is full of foreshadowing: “From Mount Hor they set out… And the people…

There is so much happening in this chapter, we can’t cover it all. Minor events include the death of Miriam and denial of passage through the land of Edom (that one has interesting back story). There are also two major intertwined events I’ll try to cover. “Now there was no water for the congregation. And…

This chapter covers laws for purification – specifically someone who becomes unclean through proximity of a dead body or place where a person has died. “Whoever touches the dead body of any person shall be unclean seven days. He shall cleanse himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and…

” ‘To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. But the Levites shall do the…

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers’ house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers’ houses, twelve staffs. Write each man’s name on his staff, and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. Then you shall deposit them in…