8/26 Reading (Numbers 18-20; Psalms 25-27)

Numbers is tedious. Lots of rules and regulations to follow.

Numbers 18: Learn about the priests’ and Levites’ duties, the priests’ compensation, and the Levites’ compensation.

Numbers 19: A red cow is sacrificed and this helps with water of purification. Didn’t realize that. I honestly have no idea what they’re talking about here. Another reminder about how to deal with when one comes into contact with a dead body.

Numbers 20: Moses’ sister, Miriam, dies. The people get mad because they have no water. Moses and Aaron disobey God and he tells them “Because you did not trust in me, to show my holiness before the eyes of the Israelites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them” (Num 20.12). The strangest part of this all is how Moses disobeys God. God tells him to talk to the rock that will provide water. Instead, Moses talks to the people. Kinda strange. Aaron dies at the end of this chapter.

Psalm 25: Psalm is a prayer for forgiveness and guidance. The writer prays for assistance when it comes to their enemies, God’s guidance, forgiveness of their sins, and for relief from an affliction.

Psalm 26: Psalm is a plea for salvation and for a declaration of righteousness. To me it seems like the writer is presenting theirself almost like a flawless person.

Psalm 27: Psalm focuses on longing to find the Lord in the Temple despite obstacles. The first part indicates with God on your side, you are ok. You don’t need to have fear of even death because God protects you. There is a lot of trust present. The second part is almost like a plea for help from God. It’s like the writer now recognizes they are still in danger, so the attitude has shifted a bit to still plea for help.