Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Number 34-36
The daughters of the deceased Zelophehad had appealed to Moses on a previous occasion that he guarantee their inheritance even though they did not have a male heir in the family. Moses affirmed the concerns of the men from Manasseh and required that Zelophehad’s daughters only marry men from their father’s tribe, Manasseh. Once again Moses insisted that every Israelite keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers. The daughters did as the Lord commanded them through Moses, and they married their paternal cousins. From the beginning God was concerned with the plight of the unfortunate and widows and made special provision for them.
With these final words the Lord closed the Book of Numbers, although He would supplement the law with a final book, Deuteronomy. Israel now stood at the precipice of destiny as they overlooked the land before them. For a generation the Lord had guided them through peril and trial, and through incredible trouble. Would the new generation hold fast to the commands of the Lord?
Here, we are introduced to a new generation that did not rebel at the command of the Lord, as their fathers had done. So much of the Book of Numbers dealt with life as it would be once in the land. Now they crept forward, perhaps inching toward a closer view across the Jordan and peering toward Jericho, armed with a divinely guided history and assured of continued guidance from their God. Would they hold fast to the commands God had given them at Sinai and throughout their various journeys? Would they repeat the errors of the past and shrink from the command to conquer the land before them? Israel’s future would prove tenuous in one sense but final in another.
We likewise, have been given the command to “occupy until He come.” Just as Israel was given a responsibility, we have likewise been given clear responsibility to share the gospel and reproduce ourselves by making disciples. Will we hold fast to the command?
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to be responsible and obedient to share the gospel to those you place on my way.
- Lord, please help me to see the importance of convincing and motivating another generation to be faithful with the commands of scripture.
- Lord, please help me to not repeat the mistakes of Israel as I live the life you have so graciously given to me to live.
Political
- Senator Erika Geiss – District 6 – Taylor
- Representative Annette Glenn – District 98 – Pinconning
- Representative Phil Green – District 84 – Mayville