Year 1, Week 17, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 17, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 15, Psalm 90.

Today’s reading comes as something of a surprising twist in light of the previous day’s reading. Numbers 14 ends with the Israelites defeated in battle and prevented from taking possession of the Promised Land. The reason behind Israel’s defeat was their despicable unbelief: “Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you.” (Numbers 14:43b). And yet, Numbers 15 marvelously describes the time that will come in which Israel will dwell in the land: "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, and you offer to the LORD from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice” (Numbers 15:1-3). Numbers 15 is oriented with hope and grace, designed to sustain Israel during their delayed entry into the Promised Land. Psalm 90, a song of Moses, picks up on themes from the journey described in Numbers and prays for wisdom to characterize the journey: “Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:11-12).

What struck me in today’s reading was the LORD’s loyal love and mercy against the backdrop of sin and unbelief: "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.” (Psalms 90:14-15). While the LORD is disciplining Israel due to their unbelief, He is not changing His plans for them. The LORD has made provision for Israel to return to Him. The means by which sinful Israel can return to a Holy God is through sacrifice. Thus, much of Numbers 15 is a review of the various sacrifices that the LORD provided Israel to offer so that they could gather in the presence of the LORD. But today’s reading adds more details to the sacrifices described in Leviticus. While alluded to in Leviticus, Numbers 15 brings out, in more detail, the aspect of a meal that was to accompany the sacrifices. The meal experienced in the context of the sacrifices underscored that the design behind these arrangements was to provide fellowship with the LORD. Israel approached the LORD’s presence through the sacrifices and enjoyed a meal with the LORD. Therefore the along with the sacrifice, Israel would need to bring abundant supplies for a feast: “he who brings his offering shall offer to the LORD a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil; and you shall offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, a quarter of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb.” (Numbers 15:4-5; see also 15:6-7, 9-10). Israel’s feasts, in the presence of the LORD, was to reflect the satisfaction that the LORD’s love was for their lives. It would not ultimately be the land that would satisfy Israel, but the LORD as He dwelt with them in the land.

The hope and grace that is on display in today’s reading is not merely seen in the sacrificial feasts, but also through the means that the LORD provided to help Israel to be mindful of the LORD and His commandments: "And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.” (Numbers 15:39-40). Israel was provided a means to aid in their recognition of what their lives were to consist of. They were to me ever aware of the LORD’s presence in their midst and out of that orientation, they were to serve and obey the LORD from their hearts. Israel belonged to the LORD; He had rescued them and brought them to Himself: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” (Numbers 15:41). As a result, their lives were to reflect that they lived in relationship with the LORD. The tassels were a practical means for remembering—remembering whose they were as well as remembering how they were to live. Their focus was to be, not on themselves, but upon the LORD: “Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Numbers 90:16-17).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe