what I remember:
The people come to Moses and ask about transference of land in the case of marriage. In particular, there was the man with seven daughters who inherited his land - who does the land belong to if they marry someone from another tribe - the husband's or the wife's? God answered by commanding that these seven in particular marry within their tribe, and that each tribe's land stays in the tribe it originated to.
key verse:
Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance.
about God:
He did not want one tribe to benefit at the detriment of other tribes.
Showing posts with label Numbers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Numbers. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Numbers 35
what I remember:
God gives cities to the Levites - spread through the territory. They are of a specific size, and are to be cities of refuge. Those cities of refuge are for people who have accidentally killed someone to stay until they have been brought to trial and declared guilty or innocent. If they are declared guilty (of murder), the blood redeemer of the dead person is to kill them. If declared innocent, they remain in the city of refuge until the current high priest dies. If they leave that city of refuge, they're fair game to the blood avenger - he can kill them without guilt. But not in the city of refuge nor after the high priest dies.
key verse:
And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
about God:
God provides for the protection of those who kill accidentally. He also emphasizes that a person can't be convicted by just one witness, and that a trial is before multiple people.
God gives cities to the Levites - spread through the territory. They are of a specific size, and are to be cities of refuge. Those cities of refuge are for people who have accidentally killed someone to stay until they have been brought to trial and declared guilty or innocent. If they are declared guilty (of murder), the blood redeemer of the dead person is to kill them. If declared innocent, they remain in the city of refuge until the current high priest dies. If they leave that city of refuge, they're fair game to the blood avenger - he can kill them without guilt. But not in the city of refuge nor after the high priest dies.
key verse:
And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
about God:
God provides for the protection of those who kill accidentally. He also emphasizes that a person can't be convicted by just one witness, and that a trial is before multiple people.
Numbers 34
what I remember:
God gives the boundaries of the land that He's giving to Israel.
key verse:
When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.
about God:
God defined the future nation of Israel quite precisely on the land. I wonder if Israel actually occupied that exact tract as defined, and when.
God gives the boundaries of the land that He's giving to Israel.
key verse:
When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.
about God:
God defined the future nation of Israel quite precisely on the land. I wonder if Israel actually occupied that exact tract as defined, and when.
Numbers 33
what I remember:
Moses, as they traveled, took notes. From his notes, we know all the places that they camped, in order, and some of the main events associated with places. One place had 12 springs and 70 palm trees. One place was noted that they didn't have enough water. Aaron died while they were camped by a mountain. God warns Israel through Moses to completely destroy the nations they are displacing - in particular all their religious stuff (high places, idols, etc). If they fail to do so, then those people (the ones Israel is displacing) will become thorns in their sides, and God will punish Israel.
key verse:
And Moses recorded their starting places according to their journeys by the command of the Lord, and these are their journeys according to their starting places.
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land in which you live.
about God:
We know that the warnings of God in the second half of this chapter come true. They don't wipe out the others, and indeed, they are still troublesome to Israel. God had their best interest in mind when he made the commands. God cares about purity, and it's for our own good.
Moses, as they traveled, took notes. From his notes, we know all the places that they camped, in order, and some of the main events associated with places. One place had 12 springs and 70 palm trees. One place was noted that they didn't have enough water. Aaron died while they were camped by a mountain. God warns Israel through Moses to completely destroy the nations they are displacing - in particular all their religious stuff (high places, idols, etc). If they fail to do so, then those people (the ones Israel is displacing) will become thorns in their sides, and God will punish Israel.
key verse:
And Moses recorded their starting places according to their journeys by the command of the Lord, and these are their journeys according to their starting places.
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land in which you live.
about God:
We know that the warnings of God in the second half of this chapter come true. They don't wipe out the others, and indeed, they are still troublesome to Israel. God had their best interest in mind when he made the commands. God cares about purity, and it's for our own good.
Number 32
what I remember:
The tribes of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh decide that they'd like to stay where they are now (west of the Jordan?) instead of cross over with the rest of Israel. The land here is good for their livestock. Moses gets really angry at their request, thinking that they're being traitors - like the 10 bad spies. But they're not, and agree to go to battle with their brothers until they all have a home.
key verse:
And Moses said to them, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, everyone who is armed for battle, will cross with you over the Jordan in the presence of the LORD, and the land will be subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession.
about God:
God was flexible with Israel. He allowed the three tribes to stay in Gilead while the others went on, provided it didn't mean shirking. He wished them to all stand and fight together.
The tribes of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh decide that they'd like to stay where they are now (west of the Jordan?) instead of cross over with the rest of Israel. The land here is good for their livestock. Moses gets really angry at their request, thinking that they're being traitors - like the 10 bad spies. But they're not, and agree to go to battle with their brothers until they all have a home.
key verse:
And Moses said to them, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, everyone who is armed for battle, will cross with you over the Jordan in the presence of the LORD, and the land will be subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession.
about God:
God was flexible with Israel. He allowed the three tribes to stay in Gilead while the others went on, provided it didn't mean shirking. He wished them to all stand and fight together.
Numbers 31
what I remember:
God sends Moses and the Israelites out on Moses' last battle - to punish the Midianites (for not letting the Israelites pass through their land?). They do so, killing off all sorts of people, including Balaam, the prophet that Balak had hired to curse Isreal, but who had blessed Isreal (and who had the talking donkey). They brought the women and kids back to Israel captive, but ended up also killing the women and boys and left only young girls. The loot was divided equally between those who went to battle and those who didn't (note: the battle group was smaller, so they each got more), and a portion of each was God's.
key verse:
"Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered to your people."
about God:
Important to remember that God is just. When he orders revenge, it's the right thing. I don't understand it.
An offense against God's chosen people (Israel) is one that God takes incredibly seriously.
God sends Moses and the Israelites out on Moses' last battle - to punish the Midianites (for not letting the Israelites pass through their land?). They do so, killing off all sorts of people, including Balaam, the prophet that Balak had hired to curse Isreal, but who had blessed Isreal (and who had the talking donkey). They brought the women and kids back to Israel captive, but ended up also killing the women and boys and left only young girls. The loot was divided equally between those who went to battle and those who didn't (note: the battle group was smaller, so they each got more), and a portion of each was God's.
key verse:
"Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered to your people."
about God:
Important to remember that God is just. When he orders revenge, it's the right thing. I don't understand it.
An offense against God's chosen people (Israel) is one that God takes incredibly seriously.
Numbers 30
what I remember:
A vow that a woman takes before God can be nullified by her husband or father (whichever one she lives with). The man, however, must nullify it on the day he learns of it. If he lets it stand, then later changes his mind, he bears her guilt.
key verse:
Every vow and every binding oath to humble herself, her husband may confirm it or her husband may annul it.
about God:
This seems to me to take special note of women's impulsiveness - God gives her a way out when she's acted impulsively. I'm not going to get in to whether this is un-feminist. God put it here.
A vow that a woman takes before God can be nullified by her husband or father (whichever one she lives with). The man, however, must nullify it on the day he learns of it. If he lets it stand, then later changes his mind, he bears her guilt.
key verse:
Every vow and every binding oath to humble herself, her husband may confirm it or her husband may annul it.
about God:
This seems to me to take special note of women's impulsiveness - God gives her a way out when she's acted impulsively. I'm not going to get in to whether this is un-feminist. God put it here.
Numbers 29
what I remember:
It seems like the seventh month of the Jewish year was full of celebrations: The first day, the seventh day, and a seven day feast beginning on the fifteenth day. Each feast is spelled out with what the sacrifice should be.
key verse:
You shall present these to the LORD at your appointed times.
about God:
God is meticulous, detailed, and precise. I'm amazed at how many things passages like this spell out. The efficiency and lazy in me wants there to be a bullet-list, with the note: "Repeat on these days". God didn't write the Bible like that, and I know the repetitions have meanings. This was important to God.
It seems like the seventh month of the Jewish year was full of celebrations: The first day, the seventh day, and a seven day feast beginning on the fifteenth day. Each feast is spelled out with what the sacrifice should be.
key verse:
You shall present these to the LORD at your appointed times.
about God:
God is meticulous, detailed, and precise. I'm amazed at how many things passages like this spell out. The efficiency and lazy in me wants there to be a bullet-list, with the note: "Repeat on these days". God didn't write the Bible like that, and I know the repetitions have meanings. This was important to God.
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