Day 29 Reading Schedule : Numbers 14-18

Numbers 14: Those Who Will Not Enter the Land of Canaan 

[Summary]

This chapter records the incident in which the Israelites who heard the report of the spies complained against God and were judged and had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The Israelites who believed the words of the ten faithless spies complained against God and Moses (vv. 1-10). God wanted to destroy Israel, but Moses prayed for the people (vv. 11-19). After hearing Moses’ prayer, God withdrew His will to destroy them all and instead allowed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and except for Joshua and Caleb, no one over the age of twenty was allowed to enter the land of Canaan. In addition, the ten spies were judged and put to death (vv. 20-38). The Israelites who repented belatedly tried to enter Canaan, but instead were defeated by the Amalekites (vv. 39-45).

When the spies who had completed their exploration of the land of Canaan reported two conflicting contents (see Numbers 13), the Israelites did not accept the report with faith, but instead grumbled and tried to return to Egypt. Because of this unrighteous and unbelieving behavior, the Israelites could not escape God’s severe judgment. In fact, most of the tribulations and pains that humans experience are caused by humans themselves, as mentioned above.

Numbers 15: The Laws of Sacrifices in the Land of Canaan 

[Summary]

This chapter mentions several laws that the Israelites had to keep after entering the land of Canaan. The laws regarding grain offerings and drink offerings (vv. 1-16), the law regarding the offering of the first fruits of the harvest (vv. 17-21), the laws regarding the sin offerings for the sins of the community and individuals (vv. 22-31), and the laws regarding punishment for those who violated the Sabbath (vv. 32-36) are presented. God demanded that descendants remember and follow these commandments from generation to generation (vv. 37-41). The commandments in this chapter, which were recorded after the Israelites were judged for their sins, include the intention to give hope to their descendants through the commandments.

Because of their complaints and grumbling, the Israelites were unable to enter the land of Canaan and had to endure a harsh life in the wilderness for 40 years. Even in this wilderness life, God never forgot His promise to Israel. In other words, in this chapter, God presented various regulations that had to be observed when entering the land of Canaan, thereby confirming the faithfulness of His promise to the land of Canaan, which He had repeatedly confirmed since Abraham. In this way, God is a faithful being who does not break His word because He is not a human being.

Numbers 16: The Rebellion of the Korahites 

[Summary]

The history of Israel in the Old Testament is not a history of obedience but of rebellion, and the God revealed in it is a God of grace who judges their rebellion while continuously providing salvation. This chapter also deals with the opposition of the middle leaders of Israel against those appointed by God and the judgment that followed. Following Miriam’s challenge to Moses’ authority, this time the middle leaders, including Korah, challenged Aaron’s authority (vv. 1-3). Moses rebuked them, but instead, the patriarchs, including Dathan and Abiram, denied Moses’ leadership (vv. 4-19). At this time, God announced that he would personally judge the rebels, and at the same time, the rebels were annihilated by the earth splitting open and fire coming out from the incense altar (vv. 20-40). However, the people who did not repent and blamed Moses and Aaron died from a plague (vv. 41-50).

After emphasizing the faithfulness of God's promise regarding the land of Canaan and introducing the rules that stipulate the attitude of life that the Israelites as the chosen people should pursue, this chapter introduces another unjust incident that challenges God's sovereignty. Namely, the rebellion of Korah and his men resulted in God's stern judgment upon Korah and his men, reminding us that God Himself grants all authority.

Numbers 17: Aaron's Rod That Budded 

[Summary]

Although Korah's challenge to Aaron's authority ended in failure due to God's judgment, the crisis surrounding Aaron's authority still existed. God commanded that one rod for each of the twelve tribes of Israel be prepared and placed in front of the Ark of the Covenant (vv. 1-7). The next day, when the rods were checked, only Aaron's rod had blossomed and produced almonds. This was God's official recognition of Aaron's authority. Moses then placed Aaron's rod that had budded in the Ark of the Covenant as a sign (vv. 8-11). After experiencing this incident, Israel feared that they would be judged for their rebellion (vv. 12-13).

God, who had reminded us through the rebellion of Korah and his men of how futile and dangerous human pride and desire are (see Numbers 16), now took measures to prevent further conflict and rebellion by clearly revealing who among the Israelites had been entrusted with the authority He had given them. In this way, God not only entrusts missions to His workers, but also actively supports them so that they can fully carry out the missions entrusted to them.

Numbers 18: The Duties and Inheritance of the Levites 

[Summary]

This chapter deals with the duties and regulations of the priests and Levites, which were already mentioned in Leviticus. This is to stabilize the Levites who were shaken by Korah’s rebellion and to ensure that they were faithful to their duties. God assigned each of the general Levites and the priests their respective duties (vv. 1-7) and distributed the priests’ portions from the offerings offered to God (vv. 8-20). In addition, for the Levites who were not given land, all the tribes of Israel offered tithes to become the Levites’ portions (vv. 21-32).

Due to Korah’s rebellion (see Num. 16), the discipline of the priests and Levites who were entrusted with the mission of serving in the tabernacle, the holy dwelling place of God, may have been somewhat disrupted. Here, God reminded the priests and Levites of their responsibilities once again and encouraged them to serve only for Him by presenting them with the portion they would receive when they served Him. In this way, God is a faithful God who takes responsibility for the lives of those who serve Him.