NUMBERS 21
MOSES LIFTS UP THE BRONZE SNAKE
The Israelites pray to God asking Him to protect them from the Canaanites, and God provides.
Even after God’s provision, the Israelites become impatient and angry with God and Moses. In response, God sends fiery serpents to bite and kill many of the Israelites. The Israelites realize they have sinned against God and ask Moses for prayer and help.
God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it up on a pole, saying that everyone who has been bitten who sees the serpent will live. Although this sounds like an idol, the Israelites are not to worship the serpent, but instead see it as a gift of protection from God.
In John 3:14-15, Jesus references this event by saying “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” This serpent on the stick points to both the sin caused by the serpent in the garden and the cross that Jesus will die on to pay for our sins. Moses is standing in the middle of two world-altering events: the entrance of sin and the final defeat of sin.
NUMBERS 22
BALAAM’S TALKING DONKEY
Balak, the king of Moab, sees that Israel is powerful and headed towards Moab. He hires a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites for him.
God intervenes and tells Balaam not to curse the Israelites, calling them blessed. Balaam’s donkey sees an angel and God opens the mouth of the donkey so that he is able to speak to Balaam! Balaam is instructed by the angel to only speak the words that God tells him.
NUMBERS 23
BALAAM’S MESSAGE TO BALAK
Balaam speaks to Balak, the King of Moab in three oracles. The first time Balaam speaks, God tells Balaam to bless Israel and call them set apart.
Balak tries to get Balaam to reconsider, but the second time Balaam speaks, he blesses them again and says that there isn’t anything he can say to overrule what God says.
NUMBERS 24
BALAAM SPEAKS HIGHLY OF THE ISRAELITES
Balaam abandons the sorcery and divination he previously used and learns to look towards God. Balak wants Balaam to speak again, and Balaam speaks highly of the Israelites and speaks of their power, trusting God’s word over sorcery.
NUMBERS 25
THE MOABITES SEDUCE THE ISRAELITES
The Israelites are led astray by the Midianite women and start worshiping Baal, the god of the Midianites.
A man named Phinehas is steadfast towards God and not led astray. God notices his faithfulness and makes a covenant of peace for his family, protecting him against the enemies of the Israelites.
NUMBERS 26
THE SECOND CENSUS
Another census is taken, since there have been a lot of deaths. The only people remaining from the first census are Caleb and Joshua, the two men who trusted God’s plan for the Promised Land. Judah is still the largest of the tribes.
NUMBERS 27
ZELOPHEHAD’S DAUGHTERS
A man named Zelophehad has five daughters and no sons, so the daughters petition to be included in his inheritance, and God allows them to be included.
God reminds Moses that because he struck the rock in the wilderness, he will not enter the Promised Land and that Joshua will be his successor.
NUMBERS 28
MORE INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFERINGS
God gives Moses more instructions for daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, Passover offerings, and feast offerings.
NUMBERS 29
OFFERING INSTRUCTIONS FOR FESTIVALS
God gives Moses more instructions for offerings for the Feast of Trumpets, offerings for the Day of Atonement, and offerings for the Feast of Booths.
NUMBERS 30
LAWS REGARDING VOWS
God explains the difference between men making vows and women making vows. Although this may appear sexist or wrong, the law appears to be protective and grace-filled towards women, allowing them to break their vows. Often, these vows are made towards God in dire situations, and people promise more than they can sustain. When men make these promises, they have to keep them, but women are allowed forgiveness if they cannot keep their vow.
Although women were not granted equal rights during this time, this one example might have served them positively. Either way, God demonstrates His value for women throughout scripture by placing them in important roles that fulfill His purposes and spread His Word.
NUMBERS 31
VENGEANCE ON THE MIDIANITES
God tells Moses that for his final task, before he dies, he is to take vengeance on the Midianites. Israel kills all the men, divides their possessions, and burns down the city. Balaam is included in the people who are killed, but all of the Israelites survive.
NUMBERS 32
THE TRANSJORDAN TRIBES
Reuben and Gad ask to settle in Gilead. Moses originally says no, but they promise to still fight for the Promised Land with the rest of the Israelites. They will be faithful to see God’s promise fulfilled, but ultimately want to return to fertile land and raise their livestock in Gilead.
NUMBERS 33
THE ISRAELITES CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY
The Israelites continue on their journey, camping out in the wilderness near the Jordan. God tells the Israelites they are to take the land of Canaan and settle there.
NUMBERS 34
BOUNDARIES WITHIN THE LAND OF CANAAN
God gives the boundaries for the Promised Land. God instructs Moses that Eleazar and Joshua will be the ones to divide the land. As the Israelites get closer to the land, God reveals more details about what is to come.
NUMBERS 35
TOWNS FOR THE LEVITES
God instructs Moses and the Israelites to provide places called cities of refuge for the Levites to reside in as well as those who have committed accidental murder. God wants to spread the Levites throughout the territory, so that there are priests throughout the Promised Land.
NUMBERS 36
INHERITANCE OF ZELOPHEHAD’S DAUGHTERS
God gives instructions for the marriage and inheritance of the remaining Midianite virgin women living among the Israelites.