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May 25, Sunday
Reading A145 — Numbers 6 — Vow of a Nazirite Audio: Numbers 6 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Separation and Sacrifice — Although Samson was designated by God to be a Nazirite from birth, normally it was a voluntary commitment by an individual for a limited time period to set himself/herself aside as an act of special dedication to God. Verse 2 provides the definition that “the vow of a Nazirite [was] to separate himself to the LORD.” The Hebrew words for “Nazirite” (nazir) and “separate” (nazar) show the close relationship of the name to the action. This vow of separation was not only a layperson’s highest level of commitment, but it also required a great sacrifice: no wine, no haircuts, no sharing in the grieving activities for a close family member. At the end, three costly animals had to be offered in sacrifice. What is the level of our separation and sacrifice to God? Paul challenges us to “go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing” (2 Cor. 6:17). How drastically are we willing to separate ourselves from the sinful world? How much are we willing to make sacrifices in our commitment to follow Jesus?
May 26, Monday
Reading A146 — Numbers 7 — Dedication of the Altar Audio: Numbers 7 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Sharing Our Gift — There are three main parts of this long chapter. First were the gifts of wagons and oxen from the 12 tribes to support the work of the Levites (vv. 1-11) when they had to transport the tabernacle. The sons of Merari received twice as much as the sons of Gershon because their assignment to move the frames amounted to much more weight. The sons of Kohath had to carry the holy furnishings on their shoulders. The second, and longest, section of this chapter describes the identical offerings from each of the tribes for the 12-day dedication of the bronze altar (vv. 12-88). The silver plates and basins and the golden dishes would be used by the priests inside the tabernacle structure. The final section of the chapter is the single verse that gives a clear description of how God communicated with Moses. The voice of God spoke to him from above the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle. What an awesome responsibility and privilege he had! He had to hear and remember the words of God so he could repeat them to the priests and people of Israel. Think of that tomorrow as you read a whole chapter of what God said to Moses. We Christians have a similar responsibility and privilege. We have the Word of God, too, but it is in an easily accessible written form. Our responsibility is to absorb it, obey it, and share it with others.
May 27, Tuesday
Reading A147 — Numbers 8 — Cleansing the Levites Audio: Numbers 8 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Representing Substitutes — Twice in this chapter, we are told of a symbolic act of laying on of hands. The first one was when the congregation was to “lay their hands on the Levites” (v. 10). It was a symbolic way of saying “these men represent us and serve as substitutes for us.” They were giving the men of this one tribe to Yahweh for religious service. The people didn’t have to do that work because the Levites did it for them. It was part of the formal dedication of the Levites. After that, the Levites were to “lay their hands on the heads of the bulls” (v. 12) before they were sacrificed to the Lord. This was also a symbolic gesture to show that the bulls represented them and were substitutes for them. The Levites didn’t have to pay for their sins because the bull took their place. That is what Jesus did for us. He chose us out of a crowd to belong to Him and to serve Him. He offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb of God to serve as a substitute to pay for our sins. What a Savior! What a Master!
May 28, Wednesday
Reading A148 — Numbers 9 — The Second Passover Audio: Numbers 9 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Follow the Leader — The first Passover was held in Egypt, as described in Exodus 12, and it was commanded to be kept annually thereafter. The second Passover observance (in the first year after leaving Egypt) is described in today’s reading, although we have already read about the census (Num. 1-4), which took place in the second year after the Exodus. A question arose in this second Passover regarding people who could not keep it because of being unclean from having touched a dead person. I love the response of Moses, who said, “Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you” (v. 8). You might expect a strong leader to answer their question from his own wisdom. No, he was too much of a follower of Yahweh to be leading Israel on his own strength. That is what we also should do when others bring us questions or when problems come into our lives that need direction. We should ask, “What has God said? Does the Word of God give us direction?” We should look for it and then follow it. The best leaders are careful followers. God’s answer to Moses was that for unclean people who could not keep the Passover on the required 14th day of the first month (v. 5), they could keep it on the 14th day of the second month (v. 11).
May 29, Thursday———————ACCOUNTABILITY TIME!
Reading A149 — Numbers 10 — Leaving Sinai Audio: Numbers 10 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Calling Trumpets — According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, the two silver trumpets mentioned in verse 2 were taken to Rome when Titus conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D. God had told Moses, “The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations” (v. 8). Centuries later, after the Messiah died and sent the Holy Spirit, the need for calling Israel together or sounding an alarm for war was ended. The Old Covenant was replaced by the New. The Gospel of Christ became both the sound of alarm (or warning) and the call to gather under the banner of Jesus: “…he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14). We also become the silver trumpets in our day as we reach out the inviting hand toward those who need to be “called … out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
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May 30, Friday———————ACCOUNTABILITY REMINDER
Reading A150 — Numbers 11 — Quail Meat Audio: Numbers 11 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Being Grateful — This is a chapter filled with complaints. Israel complained about food. They were tired of the manna that God had been providing for a year, even though it was free, good, and plentiful. All they had to do was gather it, grind it, and cook it. They were tired of it, however, and they were ungrateful. They complained to Moses, which angered God and displeased Moses (v. 10). Then, Moses complained to God about the leadership responsibility he had (vv. 11-14). He asked, “Where am I to get meat to give to all this people?” (v. 13). He was assuming responsibility and forgetting about the infinite Creator. God responded to Moses’ leadership problem by empowering 70 assistants, and then He addressed the meat problem by promising meat for a month—mounds of meat. He also brought punishment for the people’s greed and ungratefulness by sending a plague. This should be a good reminder for us to check our level of contentment and gratitude for what God has provided for us. If we are not satisfied with what we have, we won’t be satisfied with what we want.
ACCOUNTABILITY REMINDER If you are up to date in your reading as
of today, but did not report yesterday, please click here to leave your
email address or let me know at accbibleread@gmail.com.
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May 31, Saturday——————ACCOUNTABILITY FINAL DAY
Reading A151 — Numbers 12-13 — Leprosy and Fear Audio: Numbers 12-13 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Challenging God — Nothing else is known about the Cushite woman Moses married, except that Cush is usually associated with Ethiopia, so she may have been an African. Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses’ higher leadership position, using his second wife as an excuse. In response, God supported Moses and sharply rebuked his siblings. They were really criticizing God’s leadership choice. We also do that when we are envious of the obvious advantages others receive that were denied to us. God also chose and gifted us in a unique way to help accomplish His universal purpose. In chapter 13, Israel also challenged God’s promise to give them the land of Canaan (v. 1). He directed spies to be sent into the land to evaluate its people, cities, and produce. The problem was that 10 of the 12 spies saw it only from a human perspective, forgetting about God’s promise and miraculous power. The challenge of God’s leadership choice resulted in Miriam’s leprosy, and the challenge of God’s promise led to 40 years of desert living until all the fearful people had died off. There are always negative consequences to not trusting God’s word and power. Walking in contentment and obedience is God’s plan for our lives today as well.
ACCOUNTABILITY FINAL DAY! If you have not yet reported for this month,
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