 |
.JPG)  |
.jpg)  |
 |
Study the Word. Meditate on it and let it be your delight and holy guide.
Youth Ministry
Children's Nurture
Mission & Food Pantry
Fifth Month
|
Numbers, like Leviticus, can be a quick read.
We’ll skip over the first five chapters which
simply contain names. Week One, read Num. 6-14;
Week Two, read Num. 15-22; Week Three read Num.
23-30; Week Four read Num. 31-36 Before you begin your daily or weekly reading, you may want to visit our Guided Prayer pages or visit the spiritual formation page in order to center yourself without distractions in more prayerful reading. Background Numbers tells more about Israel’s journey in the wilderness. The first ten chapters are essentially preparations for departing from Sinai. Chapters 10-21 include the journey to Kadesh and an unsuccessful attack on southern Canaan (keep thinking about the Holy Land today as you read this!). Chapters 21 through 36 include the trip from Kadesh via the Transjordan to try to get to Canaan from the east. As you read, you’ll hear echoes of children’s voices asking, “Are we there yet?” And there will be lots of complaining! The people in Numbers seem to be faithless, unappreciative, rebellious and blind to God’s signs and actions. It makes you wonder if today we’re still like that! God, meanwhile, is like a parent - guiding them, sustaining them, disciplining them and trying to prepare them for the historical pilgrimage of a lifetime that’s still going on today. Some particularly interesting parts of Numbers include Ch. 6. There you’ll read about the rules governing the vows of Nazirites, people who give their lives to serving God. In Judges there’s a story about Samson, the one whose power was in his hair. Samson was a Nazirite. John the Baptist was also in the tradition of Nazirites. You may have heard about the “Aaronic blessing” that’s found in Numbers 6. This is the famous blessing that begins, “The Lord bless and keep you...” Moses taught Aaron to pray that blessing upon Israel. It’s a wonderful blessing. Try repeating it to yourself when you get up and when you go to bed, when you’re frustrated and when you’re tired. Whisper it as your family members head out the door. Keep it in your heart. Chapter 13 tells the story about spies sent out. Deuteronomy 1 says Moses sent out the spies. Numbers says it was God’s idea. The spies are to assess the situation they will face as they try to enter Canaan. Remember, people lived in the Promised Land just like native Americans dwelled in North America before the Europeans came. Only Joshua (which means, “God is salvation”) and Caleb thought it they could “overcome” the “huge” inhabitants. Upon hearing the report of the rest of the spies, the people panicked. Moses begged God to be patient with them and not destroy them for their doubt. Moses reminded them of God’s hesed, or loyal loving-kindness. As you read these chapters, remember the original covenant God made with Abraham. Israel was chosen to be a blessing to the nations. Even as they entered Canaan, it was to be a blessing. Do you think Israel remembered that then? Do we remember it now? For more on Numbers, click below: Copyright Carrie Scott 2002 |
Sixth Month, Seventh Month, Eighth Month, Ninth Month, Tenth Month
|
|