Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Lifting up the countenance [v. 26 KJV] refers to manifesting power. The priest called on God to manifest power for his people. Specifically this would produce peace. 'Shalom' does not mean just the absence of aggravation. It is the sum of all God's blessing."
God wants to bless his people and give them Shalom. Let's receive from him.
6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Lifting up the countenance [v. 26 KJV] refers to manifesting power. The priest called on God to manifest power for his people. Specifically this would produce peace. 'Shalom' does not mean just the absence of aggravation. It is the sum of all God's blessing."
God wants to bless his people and give them Shalom. Let's receive from him.
7:9 But Moses did not give any [carts] to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.
Here is David's problem – he thought he could use a cart to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 13:7-8).
The remainder of the chapter lists the offerings every tribe brought – which are exactly the same!
(From Constable's Commentary) "This chapter stands as a monument to the pleasure of God who took enjoyment from the repetition – for these were grand gifts in the good days of the early relationship with his people. These were the honeymoon days of the marital relationship of the Lord and Israel (Jeremiah 2:2-3) … When people are conscious of the blessing of God in their lives, they will give spontaneously and keep on giving. Finance in the church is directly related to faith and consecration."
7:9 But Moses did not give any [carts] to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.
Here is David's problem – he thought he could use a cart to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 13:7-8).
The remainder of the chapter lists the offerings every tribe brought – which are exactly the same!
(From Constable's Commentary) "This chapter stands as a monument to the pleasure of God who took enjoyment from the repetition – for these were grand gifts in the good days of the early relationship with his people. These were the honeymoon days of the marital relationship of the Lord and Israel (Jeremiah 2:2-3) … When people are conscious of the blessing of God in their lives, they will give spontaneously and keep on giving. Finance in the church is directly related to faith and consecration."
8:24-26 This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.
There is a time to let younger people take over the work of ministry.
8:24-26 This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.
There is a time to let younger people take over the work of ministry.
9:5 The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses.
9:23 At the LORD’s command they encamped, and at the LORD’s command they set out. They obeyed the LORD’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
During this "honeymoon" period the Israelites did exactly what the Lord commanded Moses. When they could not meet the Lord's command (v. 6) they went to Moses and asked what to do. It was an obedient relationship. But in the chapter 11 it all goes wrong? Why?
9:5 The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses.
9:23 At the LORD’s command they encamped, and at the LORD’s command they set out. They obeyed the LORD’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
During this "honeymoon" period the Israelites did exactly what the Lord commanded Moses. When they could not meet the Lord's command (v. 6) they went to Moses and asked what to do. It was an obedient relationship. But in the chapter 11 it all goes wrong? Why?
10:29, 32 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” …If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”
Moses knew that God had good things in store for Israel and was happy to include his father-in-law, a Midianite. The Law made provision for foreigners to be included with Israel.
Today God has good things in store for us and wants us to include others.
10:29, 32 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” …If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”
Moses knew that God had good things in store for Israel and was happy to include his father-in-law, a Midianite. The Law made provision for foreigners to be included with Israel.
Today God has good things in store for us and wants us to include others.