Observations from Daily Readings (through Numbers)

Reading everyday is a challenge EVERYDAY! How do we keep going? Well, cram in a couple days, skim, read in depth occasionally, etc. But just keep pushing through! The discouraging part comes when you stop altogether. Don't give up!

General Observations:

• When God and Moses are talking, "Gonna get drastic" language keeps popping up. God is serious about being worshiped. It's not an option. He is God...which means there are no other options when He gives a command. He must be obeyed! 

• In Leviticus and Numbers, what are the importance of all of the numbers given for people, sacrifices, etc.? 
• First, it points to the seriousness of the sacrifices. God's requirements are serious. The price of sin is high. This is important to us as Christians because it shows the cost of sin, and the extravagant gift of God sending His own Son - the worth of Jesus!
• Small clues exist in the numbers. We see a nation that is growing and the Abrahamic covenant is being fulfilled (numbers of people affirm "great nation"). Also, we see that the tribe of Judah is large, and the Levites are a large group of people dedicated to the temple.

• Everything God says, He says twice. If things did not need to be repeated, the Bible would be half the size. Repetition is the key to understanding. Repetition allows God's message the time necessary to rise above the clutter of the many and unceasing cultural messages that bombard us.

• Balaam and the donkey
• Donkeys were considered ignorant and "dumb" in the culture. 
• Balaam is trying to curse Israel, but God says bless. It is obvious that Israel is blessed and not cursed by God. Balaam is more stubborn and ignorant than the donkey! 
• However, in the next section, we see Israel serving Baal instead of God. Could it be that the picture of the prophet and the donkey is taken a step further with Israel? Here they are, rescued from Egypt by God, and now they are turning to worship an unknown god named Baal who has done absolutely nothing for them! The digression is: Donkey is dumb, Balaam is dumber, but Israel is acting most ignorant.

• Phineas is the grandson of Aaron, and he remembers the error of his uncles a couple of chapters back, and how God killed them for offering "strange fire." He knows by experience in his own family that if this sin is not stopped, then death is imminent.