Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Numbers 35 Commentary All the 12 tribes get portions of land (on paper for now) apart from the tribe of Levi. 34vs13-28. Chapter 35 focuses on land allocation to the tribe of Levi. It’s not one large portion like other tribes. Instead, they get towns within tribal allocations – with measured areas around the townsContinueContinue reading “Numbers 35 Commentary”

Numbers 34 Commentary This book is about numbers. One figure has reduced significantly. It is the size of the Promised Land. The LORD’s promise to Abraham saw us looking at a much bigger portion of land. In this chapter, we have seen only a fraction of the Promised Land. Later we shall see that theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 34 Commentary”

Numbers 33 Commentary This is how the Holy Script came about – much of it by God’s direct command to write down the events. Verse 1. God is interested in history. Let posterity be informed! Verse 4 explains the plagues of Egypt. They served as signs against Egyptian gods, so we can look back andContinueContinue reading “Numbers 33 Commentary”

Numbers 32 Commentary Israel begins to occupy the land. Two tribes request that they settle on the eastern side of the Jordan. But fearful of another rebellion, Moses makes them promise that they would accompany their brothers into battle west of the Jordan.Moses is aware of the potential trouble that this request brings. It canContinueContinue reading “Numbers 32 Commentary”

Numbers 31b Commentary “Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord’s vengeance on them.” Verse 3.Take note, it’s the LORD’s vengeance. Humans don’t have this luxury!”Moses sent them into battle, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest,ContinueContinue reading “Numbers 31b Commentary”

Numbers 31 Commentary: Midian destroyed, Balaam killed. Moses had one more task from the LORD God: Destroy Midian. It’s not an ordinary military conquest. The LORD God calls it “Vengeance”.It’s vengeance because Midian “enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the LORD”. Verse 16. The last time we saw Balaam, he stood tall, having rejectedContinueContinue reading “Numbers 31 Commentary”

Numbers 30 Commentary The aim of these instructions on vows seems to be an encouragement to treat one’s relationship with the LORD very seriously. The LORD isn’t an inanimate object like a stone that you can easily paint in different colors. So vows must be made seriously.Another easy pick from this chapter is the order ofContinueContinue reading “Numbers 30 Commentary”

Numbers 29 Commentary Instructions on regular festivals. This chapter has three festivals—all in the seventh month. It begins with the festival of Trumpets, then the festival of Atonement, and lastly, the important festival of Tabernacles (shelters or booths). The requirement to blow trumpets may sound strange but it is not entirely meaningless. It was theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 29 Commentary”

Numbers 28 Commentary: Important laws repeated to a new generation We have a list of important offerings to the LORD. There are two burnt offerings per day. This is pleasing food for the LORD. But we have seen this before! Why this duplication? The nation about to enter Canaan is very different from the nationContinueContinue reading “Numbers 28 Commentary”

Numbers 27 Commentary We have another leadership transition: Moses to Joshua. Civil leadership followed a different route while the priesthood transferred from father to son. Joshua isn’t Moses’ relative. He even isn’t a Levite! It’s a picture of salvation. The saint is a priest based on his family status. To be “Born-again” means more thanContinueContinue reading “Numbers 27 Commentary”