Day 63: Israel's Rebellion

 Today's readings: Numbers 14, Deuteronomy 12, and Psalm 95.

I. And in the fourteenth chapter of Numbers, the people rebel. Rather surprising given their stellar performance in the previous chapter! Yes, sarcasm. In fairness, I seriously doubt we'd do any better today in their situation, but they did have benefit of seeing great divine miracles personally which most of us now do not. At any rate, the Israelites panic and complain yet again, saying that they wished they had died in Egypt. In an outright act of rebellion, they talked about choosing a new leader and returning there. Not even Joshua and Caleb could soothe their hysteria, as they threatened to stone them. So trust, faith, and obedience were completely tossed aside by Israel for sheer terror of what awaited them in Canaan. Needless to say, God was not pleased at all. He proposed striking them down, but Moses interceded. God forgave Israel, but there were consequences:

• The entire adult generation who doubted will not enter the Promised Land.
• They will instead wander for 40 more years, one year for each day the land was explored.
• Only Joshua and Caleb will enter.
• The 10 unfaithful spies die immediately.
• Israel ignores Moses' warnings and in regret for their hysteria, attempt to enter Canaan, but are defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

On this major act of rebellion by Israel, the Ignatius Bible notes:

The second major apostasy of Israel since leaving Egypt. The first was the golden calf rebellion at Sinai (Ex 32:1-35), and now the tribes rebel again at Kadesh (13:31-33). On both occasions, the Lord released a plague among the people (14:37; Ex 32:35) and Moses stepped in to plead for God's mercy (14:17-19; Ex 34:9). The NT recalls the tragedy at Kadesh to warn that apostasy and unbelief can deny Christians a heavenly inheritance, much as it barred faithless Israel from entering the Promised Lan (1 Cor 10:5, 10; Heb 3:12-4:13). (p. 248)

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, also comments on this:

The people of Israel still have the hearts and minds of slaves - they would rather return to slavery in Egypt than enter the land God has promised because it will be dangerous and difficult to conquer... God gives them the land, but they need to cooperate with him... This is a lesson for us. If we are unwilling to fight against the things that enslave us (e.g. fears, bad habits, addictions) and move forward in freedom, our children will have to fight those battles. (p. 136)

II. In Deuteronomy 12, Moses instructs Israel on how they are to worship once they enter the Promised Land.

• First, Israel must completely remove Canaanite religious practices, including all idols and pagan "holy" places.
• Israel must worship in the place that God chooses.
• Israel may slaughter animals for ordinary food locally, but sacrificial offerings belong at the chosen sanctuary. A repeated command is to not eat the blood of animals, as it symbolizes life and belongs to God alone.
• Israel must not imitate pagan worship practices, even if they seem appealing, most especially with pagan practice of sacrificing children to their false gods.
• Israel is forbidden from adding to or taking away from God’s commands.

It sounds like Israel is in the steep learning curve, only having been liberated from slavery in Egypt less than 50 years ago, which is why some of this seems very strict. Also, given the state of pagan religion at the time, something they were most familiar with, it is understandable.

III. Psalm 95 is one of praise. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It issues a summons to worship (95:1-7c) and a warning against unfaithfulness (95:7d-11). That implies that liturgy and life form a unit, so that serving God in the Temple must be joined with a commitment to obeying God when he speaks. Otherwise, hearers risk offending him and forfeiting the blessing of his "rest" (95:11). God appears in the psalm as a great King (95:3) and Shepherd (95:7). The Church's daily prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, regularly begins with Ps 95. (p. 912)

That's it for today! 

Day 62: Spies Sent to Canaan

 Today's readings: Numbers 12-13, Deuteronomy 11, and Psalm 94.

I. In the twelfth chapter of Numbers, the sister and older brother of Moses "speak out against Moses," which angered God who defended His prophet. The Lord also struck Miriam with leprosy and healed her after Moses interceded. What's surprising to me is this all sounds like sibling jealousy and Aaron, though the High Priest, wasn't also struck with leprosy to teach him a lesson like happened to Miriam. He was in a position to know even better than her I'd say.

The next chapter finds 12 spies being sent into the land of Canaan, to travel around and report back on what they find. When they return, they report that it is indeed a land "flowing with milk and honey." Ten of the spies then give a fearful report that though rich, Canaan has fortified cities, powerful peoples, and giants, all of which severely demoralized the people. One spy, Caleb, urged the people to trust God and take possession of the land immediately. Yet, the fearful report of the majority struck fear in them.

II. Deuteronomy 11 continues Moses' exhortation to the Israelites to love and obey God, remember His mighty acts, and that they will be blessed for their obedience while there will be consequences for their disobedience.

III. Psalm 94 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It pleads with the Lord, the divine Judge, to avenge the righteous by repaying the wicked for their crimes (94:1-7); it offers instruction to the wicked and assures their victims that God's justice will triumph (94:8-15); the Psalmist gives personal witness to the Lord's help and consolations in his own life (94:16-22); and the final verse insists that God will punish evildoers for their iniquity (94:23). The dividing line between the righteous and the wicked in this psalm appears to run through Israel, with some of the covenant people violently oppressing others. (p. 912)

That's all for today!

Day 61: Complaining in the Desert

 Today's readings: Numbers 11, Deuteronomy 10, and Psalm 33.

I. And the Israelites begin today's reading in Numbers by loudly complaining. This displeases God and He sends fire that burns the outskirts of the camp. The people cry out to Moses, who prays and the fire stops (11:1-3). After this and everything else they had witnessed, you'd think they wouldn't be so brazen and selfish. Nope. We humans have a long history of shamelessness, even with our Creator. The Israelites grew tired of manna, the miraculous food God provided daily, and complained further about the lack of meat and others foods they were used to in Egypt (11:4-9). Poor Moses became overwhelmed by the people’s constant complaints. He expressed deep frustration to God, even asking to die rather than continue carrying the burden alone (11:10-15). God heard Moses and showed him mercy, first telling him to gather seventy elders of Israel to assist him with the burden command (11:16-30). Then next, God sent a massive flock of quail to satisfy the people’s craving for meat. However, while they were still eating, a severe plague struck as judgment for their greed and ingratitude (11:31-35).

II. Deuteronomy 10 recounts Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf while emphasizing God’s mercy, covenant, and what He requires of His people. So God renewed the covenant despite Israel’s sin, and the Law remained central to Israel’s relationship with Him. Best verse in this chapter: 

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. (10:16). 

That is, God desires inward obedience and transformation, not merely external ritual. To me, this foreshadows the fuller New Testament understanding of being transformed by grace into communion with God (2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pet 1:4).

III. Psalm 33 is one of praise for God. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

After an invitation to worship in song (33:1-3), it extols the Lord as the God of justice and love (33:4-5), the Creator of heaven and earth (33:6-9), the Lord of history and nations (33:10-17), and the Help of all who trust in him (33:18-22). (p. 857)

That's all for today!

Day 60: Intercessory Prayer

 Today's readings: Numbers 10, Deuteronomy 9, and Psalm 10.

I. In the tenth chapter of Numbers, God first instructs Moses to make two silver trumpets for summoning all the Israelites. These are to be used as practical tools and sacred signals, reminders that God is leading Israel (10:1-10). The rest of the chapter details the departure from Mt. Sinai by Israel, in the manner as previously organized (10:11-28).

II. Deuteronomy 9 begins with Moses reminding Israel that they are about to enter the Promised Land and defeat powerful nations. But victory comes from God, not their own strength, and they must not become proud or think they earned this blessing. He recounts their history, showing repeated failure, but though they repeatedly resisted God, history also shows His patience and the power of intercession.

III. Psalm 10 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Like many of this type, it begins with words of complaint (10:1-11) and ends with words of confidence (10:12-18). The wicked man is decried for his greed (10:3), arrogance (10:4), presumption (10:6), and ruthless oppression (10:7-10). He even denies that God will hold him accountable for his ways (10:13). The Psalmist prays against him, urging the Lord to rise up in judgment (10:12) and thwart his treachery (10:15). (p. 839)

That's all for today!

Day 59: Obligations to God

 Today's readings: Numbers 8-9, Deuteronomy 8, and Psalm 93.

I. The eighth chapter of Numbers begins with God telling Moses to arrange the lamps so they shine forward (8:1-4). The Ignatius Bible notes that:

The lamp illuminates the twelve loaves of the showbread, which are displayed on a table that stands across from the lamp in the holy place. Perhaps this symbolizes the glory of God shining upon his people... (p. 241)

The remainder of this chapter is on the consecration and service of the Levites (8:5-26):

Whereas priests are sanctified (made holy) for the ministry of sacrifice by a sprinkling of oil and blood (Lev 8:30), the Levites are purified (made clean) for the ministry of service by a sprinkling of water (8:7). Being appointed but not anointed, the Levites are not authorized to perform priestly actions but serve as assistants to priests and laity in performing the services of the Tabernacle. One might call them the "deacons" of the OT. (p. 241)

In the ninth chapter, Israel continues preparation in the wilderness and highlights two key themes, keeping the Passover, and being led by God’s presence. First, the people obey and keep Passover exactly as God commanded (9:1-5). Some men who were ritually unclean were allowed to celebrate it the next month (9:6-14). Second, a cloud covers the Tabernacle by day and appears as fire by night, which is a visible sign showing God’s presence and guidance (9:15-23). By this, Israel moved only at God’s command and not on their own timing.

II. Deuteronomy 8 has Moses reminding Israel not to forget God once they enter the Promised Land. It emphasizes humility, dependence on God, and gratitude. They are to remember His past faithfulness and depend upon God, not themselves. Above all, Moses warns them that pride leads to forgetting God, which leads to ruin.

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, has some good commentary on this:

While we can forget God in times of darkness, we can also do so in sunny days, when everything is going well, because we do not feel we need him. This is the temptation highlighted in Deuteronomy 8. (p. 128)

III. Psalm 93 is one of praise for the majesty of God's rule. The Ignatius Bible notes:

It praises the the Lord as the world's eternal (93:2) and almighty King (93:4). Scholars often classify it as one of the psalms that celebrates God's rule over the cosmos... (p. 911)

That's it for today!

Day 58: A Chosen People

 Today's readings: Numbers 7, Deuteronomy 7, and Psalm 92.

I. In the seventh chapter of Numbers, the offerings made by the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel during the dedication of the Tabernacle are described. Each leader is honored for their generosity and commitment to God by being listed here. At the end of the chapter, Moses enters the Tabernacle and hears God speaking to him from above the Ark of the Covenant (7:89).

II. Deuteronomy 7 is part of Moses’ address to Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It focuses on holiness, separation from pagan nations, and God’s covenant faithfulness. 

• A Chosen People: Israel must completely drive out the pagan nations in the Promised Land and not mix with them. Though small in number, Israel is called a “holy people” chosen by God, only because of His love and His faithfulness to the covenant with their ancestors (7:1-11).
• Blessings for Obedience: If Israel obeys and is faithful with the Lord, they will be blessed in number, fertile and prosperous, free from disease, and will defeat their enemies (7:12-16).
• Do Not Fear the Nations: Israel is called on to remember what God did to Egypt and trust Him, not fearing the nations who seem powerful for He will send fear and confusion among them, removing them gradually (7:17-24).
• Destroy All Idols: Israel is utterly destroy all idols of other nations, and not bring anything cursed into their homes (7:25-26).

Sadly, with regards to idols, they would be a curse for Israel for generations as its people forsook God again and again for such practices.

III. Psalm 92 is a thanksgiving psalm. The Ignatius Bible notes:

It praises the Lord for his mercy and faithfulness (92:2), his wondrous works (92:4), his unsearchable thoughts (92:5), and his moral uprightness (92:15). The latter is seen in his treatment of the wicked, who eventually come to grief (92:6-9), and of the just, who are firmly planted in the Lord's presence (92:12-14). (p. 910)

That's it for today!

Day 57: Hear, O Israel

 Today's readings: Numbers 6, Deuteronomy 6, and Psalm 91.

I. In the sixth chapter of Numbers, the focus is on the Nazirite vow (6:1-21) and the priestly blessing (6:22-27).

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, comments on the first:

For the Israelites, the Nazirite vow includes keeping one's hair uncut and abstaining from alcohol, and it is typically not lifelong. The Nazirite vow, then is a dedication of particular time of one's life to the Lord. (p. 124)

The Ignatius Bible notes some famous Nazarites:

Samson (Judg 13:4-5), Samuel (1 Sam 1:11), John the Baptist (Lk 1:15), and possibly James, the brother of the Lord (Gal 1:19; see Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2, 23). (p. 237) 

The chapter ends with the now well-known priestly blessing:

The Lord bless you and keep you:

The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

The Ignatius Bible notes that "this is the only prescribed prayer in the Pentateuch" (p. 238). 

II. Deuteronomy 6 centers on loving God fully, teaching the next generation, and remaining faithful in the Promised Land. Moses warns the Israelites to fear the Lord and keep His laws, giving them the central confession of their faith, the Shema, and to love the Lord completely with total devotion (6:1-9). He also cautions them to not disobey the Lord or put Him to the test as they did previously (6:10-19). Finally, Moses tells the Israelites to teach future generations what God's laws mean and that they are rooted in His saving actions, not just arbitrary rules (6:20-25).

III. Psalm 91 is one of wisdom. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It celebrates a relationship with God based on trust (91:2) and devotion (91:14). Its blessings include deliverance from evils (91:3-7), protection by angels (91:11-12), answers to prayers (91:15), and the gifts of a long life and salvation (91:16). Most of the psalm is the author's personal testimony, based on his experience (91:1-13), while its final verses are words of assurance spoken by God (91:14-16). (p. 910)

That's it for today!