Highlights In Today's Reading:
Following one failure after another, the nation regroups and preparation of the new generation to enter the promised land begins. Much can be learned by us from the events disclosed in today's reading. A generation was lost — ALL the adults except Caleb and Joshua. Moses prepares to die and Joshua becomes the new commander-in-chief.
Once again, the Lord reminded the great leader of Israel that he could not enter the promised land. God had commanded Moses (20:8) to take the rod and speak to the rock. But Moses smote the rock and spoke to the people: Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water (20:10). He did not fully acknowledge God in the miracle but included for himself equal honor and authority that belonged to God alone.
The rod symbolized the authority of God and Moses represented that authority before the nation but, on this one occasion, he represented the authority of Moses.
Moses is now given instructions concerning the apportionment of the land, which was to be divided among the tribes in proportion to their size: And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance . . . to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him (26:52-54).
God is faithful to His Word and to His promises. He said that none of the earlier generation of Israel would enter into the promised land because of their sin and unbelief (26:64-65), except for Joshua and Caleb who had remained faithful to the Lord.
Only one sin kept Moses from the promised land, but Moses represented the Law that cannot allow even one exception. For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). The promised land was given to Israel through Abraham, the man of faith. The Law of God could never bring one man — not even Moses — into the promised land. There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Deut. 34:10). Yet, Moses had to die and Joshua, a type of Christ, had to take his place. Jesus' Name in Hebrew was also Joshua (Y'shua, meaning "God is salvation"). Only the sinless Christ can lead us into our inheritance.
The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Gal. 3:24).
Thought for Today:
Disobeying the Word of God brought tragic results in the past and still brings serious consequences.
Christ Portrayed:
By the man (Joshua) who would lead the people like a shepherd (Num. 27:17). Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd. . . . My sheep . . . follow Me (John 10:11,27).
Word Studies:
26:2 the sum =a census; 26:9 strove against =rebelled against; 26:61 strange =unauthorized; 27:13 shall be gathered to =shall die; 27:14 sanctify Me =by strict obedience and submission; 27:18 lay thine hand =transfer authority; 27:19 give him a charge =commission him as your successor.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Staff: Barbara Jean Loyd • Government Official: Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT) • Country: Bulgaria (8.2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Bulgarian and ethnic languages • Newly opened to evangelism • 85% Eastern Orthodox; 12% Muslim Sunni; 1% Shi'a Muslim; .6% Catholic; .27% Protestant; .1% Armenian Gregorian; .03% Jewish; 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and fast in secret so that only the Lord knows (Matt. 6:16-18).
Optional Reading: Luke 11
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:10