Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Numbers 6 Commentary: Nazirite Laws We know Samson was a nazirite, hence his long hair. Samuel was also a nazirite. The key line was holiness for the nazirite. It’s like the LORD is providing a way for non-priests, male or female, to experience a closeness to God which only priests enjoyed. We can see theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 6 Commentary”

Numbers 5 Commentary: Purity in the Camp. http://www.lovingscripture.com The LORD orders Moses to expel any individual who is ritually unclean from the community of God’s people. Now we fully understand the reason – it’s because the LORD is present among the people. He detests sickness of this kind. Man was made in God’s image butContinueContinue reading “Numbers 5 Commentary”

Numbers 4 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Both Moses and Aaron came from the line of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of the patriarch Jacob. Chapter 4 zooms into the family line of Kohath and their role as caretakers of the most holy things. We have seen different lists. The list in chapter 2 is forContinueContinue reading “Numbers 4 Commentary”

Numbers 3 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The scripture zooms into the Levitical family with a list of key figures. Then the LORD confirms Aaron and his sons as priests. The rest of their brothers, (the Levites) are recruited as helpers. There is a clear division of labor. Here we see that even less honorable tasks like carryingContinueContinue reading “Numbers 3 Commentary”

Numbers 2 Commentary: The community is organized. http://www.lovingscripture.com The first census is covered in chapter 1. Chapter 2 concerns itself with the physical arrangement in the camp and when marching out as they begin to possess the land. It looks plain but in reality this is a military activity and forms part of the conquestContinueContinue reading “Numbers 2 Commentary”

Numbers 1 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Location? The foot of Mount Sinai.The LORD speaks to Moses and orders him to conduct a census of the community. It is a detailed census. Members of God’s community must be counted one by one and listed by name. We possibly understand why in some sections of the holy script weContinueContinue reading “Numbers 1 Commentary”

Genesis 49 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The aged Jacob calls his sons together (like Isaac did) in order to bless them.Reuben is the first. He is dislodged from his top slot as the firstborn because of sexual sin with his father’s wife (his stepmother). There is more about Reuben’s character which Jacob references. Turbulence. We are notContinueContinue reading “Genesis 49 Commentary”

Genesis 48 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Jacob must do one more thing before he dies. He must bless his children – Joseph first. Chapter 48 is about Joseph’s blessing while Chapter 49 extends to the rest of the children.In a very strange operation, Jacob adopts Joseph’s two children Manasseh and Ephraim. He reorders things and the childrenContinueContinue reading “Genesis 48 Commentary”

Genesis 47 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The aged Jacob summons Joseph. If you are blessed to have aged parents you easily appreciate these summons. Aged men are full of them! Joseph must take leave from his national duties to attend to what appears to be a normal old man’s request.Jacob instructs Joseph (and not Reuben, Simeon orContinueContinue reading “Genesis 47 Commentary”

Genesis 45 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com There are several very emotional points in the story of Joseph. Chapter 45 brings you tears. The emotions climax here. Joseph makes himself known. The brothers are stunned! But Joseph knows far more than the immediate emotions of reunion or of even possible past recollections to be distracted.The LORD sent himContinueContinue reading “Genesis 45 Commentary”