Numbers 1-2
Day 35 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the census the Lord orders of all the Israelite tribes.
My commentary* indicates that the "numbering is more than a census or even a military draft...In fact it is a national registration from which the Jewish people in centuries to come will trace their ancestry".
*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Ancestry and genealogy are key to our understanding of the Bible because the Bible makes promises that certain descendants of certain lines (Abraham, Jacob, David, etc.) will become a great nation and Jesus is a descendant promised from the genealogies documented in the Bible. An understanding of these genealogies helps us understand that God keeps His promises and prophecies are fulfilled by Jesus' life, death on the cross, and His resurrection. It is also important to note how - time and time again - imperfect people are used by God for His glory and purpose. We should be encouraged by this.
See also posts from John Piper and DesiringGod.com on the genealogy of Jesus in both the book of Matthew and Luke, and a brief comment on genealogy as a "boring" but important aspect of the Bible.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who always keeps His promises - thank You Jesus! I know You love me and I am greatly comforted by this as well as by all of Your promises. Yet I am not deserving. I sin...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
So
the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way
they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out,
each of them with their clan and family. Numbers 2:34
Day 35 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the census the Lord orders of all the Israelite tribes.
My commentary* indicates that the "numbering is more than a census or even a military draft...In fact it is a national registration from which the Jewish people in centuries to come will trace their ancestry".
*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Ancestry and genealogy are key to our understanding of the Bible because the Bible makes promises that certain descendants of certain lines (Abraham, Jacob, David, etc.) will become a great nation and Jesus is a descendant promised from the genealogies documented in the Bible. An understanding of these genealogies helps us understand that God keeps His promises and prophecies are fulfilled by Jesus' life, death on the cross, and His resurrection. It is also important to note how - time and time again - imperfect people are used by God for His glory and purpose. We should be encouraged by this.
See also posts from John Piper and DesiringGod.com on the genealogy of Jesus in both the book of Matthew and Luke, and a brief comment on genealogy as a "boring" but important aspect of the Bible.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who always keeps His promises - thank You Jesus! I know You love me and I am greatly comforted by this as well as by all of Your promises. Yet I am not deserving. I sin...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
