Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Numbers 17 Commentary In this very short chapter, the LORD God does one thing: Confirm Aaron’s priesthood. A simple but miraculous test of approval is devised. Staffs from tribal leaders with identity markings are placed before the LORD God. Aaron’s staff is selected (elected).The hope is that the matter of leadership is settled. But theseContinueContinue reading “Numbers 17 Commentary”

Numbers 16b Commentary Korah’s punishment doesn’t mean leaders cannot be criticized when they go wrong. But Korah’s criticism of Moses is premised on wrong motives. It doesn’t arise from a discomfort that Moses lacked the required zeal for the LORD.On the contrary, Korah’s assertion that the “whole community” is holy contradicts God’s assessment of theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 16b Commentary”

Numbers 16 Commentary Now this feels like it. Chapter 15 feels out of place given the absorbing events in chapters 13 and 14. With Chapter 16, normal business resumes. It’s Korah’s turn for rebellion. While the Sanctuary was open for worship to everyone, the conduct of its business was exclusively in the hands of theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 16 Commentary”

Numbers 15 Commentary The LORD God looks to the future. There is a generation to invest in. The older, sinful, and stiff-necked generation must be phased out. The new generation must learn the ways of the LORD. So, the laws are repeated.Of course, Chapter 15 is strange. It pretends like nothing happened in chapters 13ContinueContinue reading “Numbers 15 Commentary”

Numbers 14 Commentary We have a very low point here. You thought the golden calf experience was bad enough, but here we are again! Israel no longer wants to proceed into the Promised Land. They want to choose another leader and go back to Egypt. Real mutiny in the Camp! God’s view of everything isContinueContinue reading “Numbers 14b Commentary”

Numbers 14 Commentary Chapter 14 defines a couple of terms.Fear of enemy (in the presence of God): Contempt of God.Doubt (regardless of evidence of divine ability): Contempt of God.In Chapter 13, we discussed the words “fear” and “doubt.” We had our own view.Chapter 14 gives us God’s view of what we call fear. We haveContinueContinue reading “Numbers 14 Commentary”

Numbers 13b Commentary Chapter 13 is the reason for the exodus. Israel must possess the land – the Land. Spies are sent to “see”. The LORD God has once again invited Abraham (now as a nation) to view the Land. The spies are twelve because the nation must view the land, just like Abraham did.ContinueContinue reading “Numbers 13b Commentary”

Numbers 13 Commentary The LORD orders Moses to send out 12 spies to explore the land. Approximately two years after leaving Egypt, Israel is now ready to take possession of the land the LORD had given to Abraham.The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, toContinueContinue reading “Number 13 Commentary”

Numbers 12 Commentary: Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses On the face of it, the reason for the opposition seems to stem from Moses’ marriage to an unnamed African woman. We already know Moses was married to Zipporah, who gave him two sons named Gershom and Eliezer. At this stage, Moses was above 80, and probablyContinueContinue reading “Numbers 12 Commentary”

Numbers 11b Commentary Trouble begins. We can call it the complaints chapter. Again, we see just how displeased the LORD is with complaining. Strangely, many of our prayers today fall in this category. For the most part, complaining is a manifestation of doubt and ingratitude. The LORD reacts by sending a fire, but Moses’ intercessionContinueContinue reading “Numbers 11b Commentary”