MARCH 8 READINGS…Numbers 27:1-29:40.
Our readings are moving us to the end of the ministry of Moses. The Israelites will soon be entering the promise land, but Moses will not go in with them…he and Aaron were disobedient to the Lord at Meribah. Remember by this time Moses is 120 years old, and the Lord is going to allow him to climb Mt. Nebo and look into the promise land, and then Moses would die. Who would be the new leader? God had appointed Joshua. Joshua had already shown himself faithful to the Lord and trusting in the Lord in the face of great odds. He and Caleb went in to spy out the promise land with the twelve men…these two gave the good report, and believed that the Lord would give them the land that He had promised Israel. Moses was to lay his hands on Joshua and transfer his authority to him before the nation of Israel. Joshua’s leadership would be different than Moses’ was…where Moses talked directly to God, Joshua would find the will of God by going to Eleazar the High Priest and he would use the Urim to determine the will of God. Joshua was about to take the place of leadership of the nation of Israel as they entered the promise land.
The second part of our readings dealt with the required sacrifices the nation of Israel were to bring to the Lord daily, on the Sabbath, monthly, and on the high holy days. Once again we see that the required sacrifices and the time they were brought to the Lord was set by the Lord Himself. The people could not just bring whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Also notice that this giving of sacrifices was to be all year around. This demonstrate Israel’s need for God all the time…it helped them remember that they were totally dependent upon Him for all things. God was to be their life…their faith was not to be casual, but to be a living and vital relationship with God. Nothing has changed…we too are called to a faith that is totally dependent upon God for everything. And like Israel we are to present a daily sacrifice to God…Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2…”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This biblical model helped Israel and helps us to stay close, obedient, and dependent upon God.
Please share your insights and thoughts from today’s readings. I know the Lord is blessing you as you read and receive His wonderful Word.
TOMORROW’S READINGS…Numbers 30:1-31:54.