Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Numbers 19-36

Mar 27, 20249 min read

Come along with me as I complete The Daily Grace Co.’s Eden to Eternity study!

This chronological Bible study requires us to dive into the 66 books of God’s Word while encouraging self-reflection and application. In the following posts, I intend to discuss the content, existing themes, and perceived messages throughout the Bible so we may dwell in scripture together.

I hope we can approach God's word with an open heart and fall more in love with Christ, who had our eternal salvation in mind all along!

4/66 | Author: Moses | Old Testament | Pentateuch/Torah | 1445-1406 B.C. (estimated)

19. The Purification Ritual

The Lord discussed the Purification Ritual with Moses and Aaron, highlighting the importance of transforming the unclean into clean with a red, unblemished cow.

20. Water from the Rock, Edom Denies Passage, and Aaron's Death

The Israelites entered Zin. At this location, Miriam passed away and was laid to rest.

The Israelites cried out in thirst since this area did not offer drinking water. “They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them” (20:7). God told Moses to speak to the rock with his staff in front of his people. Rather than calmly speaking, Moses hits the rock with the staff twice. “Abundant water gushed out” (20:11). This portrayal of disobedience prevented Moses and Aaron from being the two who would lead the Israelites into the promised land.

Edom denied access to the Israelites. So, the Israelites turned away.

Aaron passed away, and his son, Eleazar, wore his robes to represent his filling of his father's role.

21. Canaanite King Defeated, the Bronze Snake, Journey around Moab, and Amorite Kings Defeated

The Israelites promised the Lord that if He handed the Canaanites over, they would destroy their cities. And so it was.

When passing Edom, the Israelites cried out about how treacherous of a journey they had been on. To make it worse, poisonous snakes were tormenting them. Realizing their wrongdoing, the people asked Moses to intervene and make things right with God. God told Moses to construct a snake on a pole for anyone bitten to look at and heal (8–9).

The Israelites set out, even defeating the Amorites and settling in their region. The Lord continued to “hand over” kings and territories to His people.

22. Balak Hires Balaam, Balaam and the Angel

Fearing the Israelites as they approached his land, Moab's king, Balak, requested a curse. However, 22:12 states that God told Balaam (a man who dabbled in divination and was supposed to complete the curse): “You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed.” Balaam repeatedly denied the request to fulfill Balak’s demand. The Lord instructed Balaam to follow His orders and not Balak's.

Balaam and his donkey encountered an angel of the Lord blocking their path. The donkey was aware of this warning and turned from the angel and headed back three times, receiving physical punishment from Balaam each time. The angel told Balaam that he could engage with Balak and his men but must only speak the words granted by God.

Balaam tells Balak that he will only share the words of God.

23. Balaam's Three Oracles

Balaam and Balak had a symbolic encounter with seven altars, seven bulls, and seven rams. Then Balaam received the first message from the Lord. 23:5 described it as “the Lord putting a message in Balaam’s mouth.”

The first oracle questioned the character of anyone attempting to penetrate the force of Israel, a nation God did not curse. Balak was unhappy about this sentiment since he wanted Israel to receive a curse, but Balaam said, “Shouldn’t I say exactly what the Lord puts in my mouth?” (23:12).

Balak’s second attempt resulted in Balaam speaking another word of God that recognized the might of the Lord and His prophecy for the Israelites. Balak led Balaam to a different location in hopes of successfully cursing Israel.

24. Balaam's Third and Fourth Oracles

The third time, “the Spirit of God came on [Balaam]” as he declared Israel victorious over enemies (24:2).

Balak scolded Balaam and denied payment. Balaam responded, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the Lord’s command to do anything good or bad of my own will. I will say whatever the Lord says” (24:12–13).

Balaam warned Balak that a star deriving from Jacob would arise and defeat Israel’s enemies.

25. Israel Worships Baal, Phinehas Intervenes, and Vengeance Against the Midianites

Israelite men began to engage in sexual relations with the women of Moab. The presence of these women influenced some of the Israelites to worship their gods and false idols, including Baal. This angered the Lord, so He demanded that their actions be exposed. Moses ordered their judges to kill the men who praised Baal.

Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, killed an Israelite man and a Moabite woman who were publicly sinning against God and their community. Phinehas received a covenant of peace because “he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites” (25:13).

26. The Second Consensus

After this instance, referred to as a plague, God ordered another census of Israelite men twenty years of age and older. The twelve families combined totaled 601,730 men (26:51). The families were to divide the land as an inheritance. According to 26:62, the Levites numbered 23,000 men.

The first consensus was for the previous generation that died in the wilderness due to their rebellious and sinful ways. "But among them there was not one of those who had been registered by Moses and the priest Aaron when they registered the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said to them that they would all die in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua remained," as stated in 26:64–65.

27. A Case of Daughter's Inheritance and Joshua Commissioned to Succeed Moses

The daughters of Zelophehad were petitioning to receive his inheritance since he did not have a son to pass on the family name. They were granted their wish. The practice of transferring an inheritance to the nearest relative was established.

Moses asked God to appoint a man to shepherd the Israelites since it could no longer be him. The Lord responded, “Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him” (27:18). Joshua was commissioned as the Lord instructed, with a symbolic gesture of Moses laying his hands on Joshua in front of the people.

28 & 29. Offerings

The Lord reminded the Israelites to continue their regular and festive offerings.

30. Regulations about Vows

Vows, oaths, or promises made between an individual and the Lord could not be broken. The bounds of vows in varying circumstances are defined in Chapter 30.

31. War with Midian

The war with the Midianites commenced. Twelve thousand Israelite men prepared for this fight that represented the Lord’s vengeance. They captured and raided the city. Only virgin women survived. The Israelites who committed murder or made physical contact with the deceased remained outside of the camp for a week to be cleansed. All objects were also to be purified via fire. Inventory was taken for all the possessions that the Israelites plundered. Of these new possessions, they were to be divided among the Israelite tribes, with a portion set aside for the Levites. Gold portions were voluntary offerings presented to the Lord.

32. Jordan Settlements

Due to the abundance of livestock the Reubenites and Gadites inherited, they sought out land that would suit their overhead. When they found a fitting location, they asked Moses and Eleazar if they might stay back rather than cross the Jordan. This concerned Moses since other Israelites might also wish to stay behind, being disobedient. The last time a generation did not obey God's commands, men aged 20+ were no longer allowed to enter the land awaiting them, and they died after wandering in the wilderness.

Moses received assurances from those who chose to follow God that they would fulfill their promise to cross the Jordan and allow the Israelites to settle in the promised land. Moses gave them the cities that their families requested.

33. Wilderness Travels Reviewed

This chapter is Moses' record of the travels of the Israelites. They were now on their way to the land of Canaan, where they needed to rid it of its inhabitants. 33:55 states, “But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs for your eyes and thorns for your sides; they will harass you in the land where you live. And what I had planned to do to them, I will do to you.”

34. Boundaries of the Promised Land and the Leaders for Distributing the Land

The Lord assigned the boundary lines upon entrance. The Lord made Eleazar and Joshua responsible for distributing the land.

35. Cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge

The Israelites were to share land with the Levites. Since the Levites were the group who performed tasks for the Lord with the tabernacle, they earned parcels for their families and belongings.

Cities of refuge were plots of land for the guilty who needed somewhere to safely stay until they received their punishment. The Israelites had six of these locations. At this time, the consequence of an action was equivalent to the initial action itself. Bloodshed was not to defile the land, as it was not only the home of the Israelites, but also of the Lord.

36. The Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters

To keep an inheritance in the family and avoid it transferring to another man’s family, Zelophehad’s daughters married within their father’s side.

Reflections based on the Daily Grace's discussion questions (pp. 142-153):

In Chapter 20, Moses, acting on his emotions, dishonored God by aggressively hitting the rock instead of speaking to it as instructed. This allowed him to take the glory of providing water for the thirsty Israelites when God intended to display His provision for them, should they approach Him with respect. In Chapter 27, the daughters of Zelophehad shared their case, revealing God to be understanding and compassionate. In Chapters 28 and 29, He reminded the Israelites to participate in offerings so they could live harmoniously together, remembering how far they had come with the hand of God. The Lord wants us to be in awe of His plans for us and the mercy He holds. He simply wants our attention and love!

The bronze snake in Chapter 21 was a metaphor for looking to the Lord for healing. John 3:14–15 says, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life." We look to the Lord not to be criticized but to be salvaged, like John 3:17 says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

The talk of inheritances stuck out to me, especially concerning daughters, since we hear about Christ's inheritance for us! In the Old Testament, it was common law for the son(s) to inherit the father's possessions and carry on the family name. But what about the families that did not have sons? Seeing God understand the validity of daughters retaining their family's ownership and name was heartwarming. As a daughter of Christ, we inherit purity, eternity, fruitfulness, and the Holy Spirit (just to name a few)! Sons and daughters alike carry on the name of Jesus from generation to generation, passing along the largest estate anyone could leave behind.

"Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant" (Hebrews (9:15).

Balaam is an interesting character to recall in today's culture of idolatry. Astrology, psychics, mediums, tarot cards, etc. have a stronghold that fuels an addiction to feed our need for control and validation. Rooting our identity and destiny in falsehoods is never a saving grace.

2 Peter 2:18: "For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who escape those living in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption since people are slaves to whatever defeats them."

Balaam, a man with supposed sorcery, didn't even notice an angel of the Lord in his path! The covenant in Genesis 12:1–3 ensured a blessing to the line of Abraham, overpowering any dark magic Balaam could conjure. Minor interactions led the one who profited off of curses to in turn speak blessings over Israel! The story of Balaam is a perfect example of speaking with intent and aligning with God's tone when discussing His people.

Gratitude List:

Watching older series for the first time and catching up with the storylines and cast present-day
Birthdays, and the love that comes with them!
New interests that unlock new books, podcasts, and shows
Costco and Sam's foodcourts—I'll take one of everything, please!
Finding the perfect bouquet of roses
Fresh candles
Friends receiving new opportunities