Bible Study March 7

Tuesday March 7, 2023

Chapter 26 –

Numbers 26 and 27 give us some revelation on entering the promised land. In fact these preparations run through chapter 30:16.

By the time of Moses generation had died according to the decree of God Israel prepared to enter the promised land. In was time to take another census of a new generation counting males twenty years and more who could serve in Israel’s army. Soldiers would be needed to take the land and the census was taken on the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho the first city they would take.

The remainder of the chapter is primarily written to show the census was recorded tribe by tribe. But it also contains several interesting side notes. The first concerning Dathan and Abiram. They were two that joined with Korah’s followers in their rebellion against the Lord. The earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them.

The census continued until 601,730 fighting men had been counted this is close to the number taken four generations ago of 603,550 even with the death of the generations God had restored His people. After the census each tribe’s inheritance was determined by casting of lot.

Since the Levites had no land inheritance they were not counted because of their service to the Lord. Chapter 26 is a passage where names are important. The chapter ends with two more significant names. Moses had registered in the new census, there was not one…who had been registered by Moses and the priest Aaron when they registered the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai four decades earlier because the Lord said to them, they would die.

Chapter 27 –

As the lots were cast to determine where the tribal lands would be located, a problem came up. A man named Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh died without a son and left behind five daughters. Under Israel’s laws of inheritance the future did not look good for the girls so the approached Moses and the whole community.

They were careful to mention he did not ide under the influence of Korah but most likely died as a result of the discipline God placed on them. Their question was a legitimate one brought to Moses. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan? Since he had no son, give us property among our father’s brothers. God agreed with their dilemma He established a new rule for inheritance.

Now Israel was on the verge of crossing the Jordan to enter Canaan it was time for God to appoint a new leader to replace Moses who had been told he would not enter the promised land. God took Moses to Mount Nebo so he could look over the land that God had given the Israelites, this was the best Moses could hope for because he had struck the rock to bring forth water.

Moses did not complain for a minute he accepted the word from the Lord. In fact his plea was for God to give the Israelites a godly, qualified leader. Joshua was chosen as the one who had the Spirit in him. Moses commanded Moses to have Joshua stand before the community for commissioning. From this point on Joshua would lead them and work hand -in-hand with Eleazar the priest who would consult with the Lord for him.