Numbers 24: The end of the story with Balaam and Balak. Balaam leaves and goes back home, arguing that he will not fight the Israelites because God is on their side and he won’t go against. God. Smart guy!
8/28 Reading (Numbers 21-23; Acts 17)
Numbers 21: Israelites are on their way to Canaan and fight several groups, winning both battles.
8/25 Reading (Numbers 15-17; Acts 16)
I’m noticing some subtle changes in my attitude from time to time. There are times where I feel more at peace than before. Almost more spiritual than before. I also find that there are times where I don’t feel like reflecting or writing anything. Instead I just want to read. This has been one of those weeks.
8/24 Reading (Numbers 12-14; Acts 15)
I didn’t have much to say about Numbers today. Just for my own recollection I’ve included the subtitles for each chapter if I don’t write anything else.
8/23 Reading (Numbers 9-11; Acts 14)
I noticed something the other day during the eclipse. It was also something else that I experienced during a funeral recently. I’m starting to feel more spiritual. I can’t really explain it, but I’ll try. I have always been good at distinguishing science and religion and that’s not changing. The thing that is changing is that I’m feel that I’m able to appreciate things in a different way than I could before. I’m having a hard time putting into words that make sense, so I’ll have to come back to this throughout the process. Let me share a picture from the eclipse, that should help:
8/22 Reading (Numbers 6-8; Acts 13)
Numbers 6: Chapter is all about instructions for people who want to be nazirites. The rules for them are interesting. They are supposed to stay pure while in this position. According to the notes in the CEB study bible (p. 213 OT), “a nazirite is not an ethnic description but a special category for a person who has vowed to perform a sacred duty.” Does this still exist?
8/21 Reading (Numbers 4-5; Acts 12)
I saw a total solar eclipse for the first time ever today. It was cloudy, but wow was it an amazing experience. I loved it. I will have to do another one in the future.
8/18 Reading (Leviticus 27; Acts 11)
Leviticus 27: The sole title in the CEB version is dedications. The notes actually say that this chapter “looks like an appendix containing rules and instructions about payments” (p. 198 OT).
8/17 Reading (Leviticus 25-26; Acts 10)
Leviticus 25: Chapter is about the sabbatical year (every 7th year) and Jubilee year (every 50th year) and the rules associated with each one. The sabbath year is a special year of rest for the land. In the Jubilee year, people must return to their original homes, slaves must be freed, land must be restored to their original owners, and farmland must not be planted or harvested. What’s interesting here is that God specifically outlines how people must help the poorer people of society. They are supposed to help them so they can survive. AND, the people are not allowed to cheat the poor or charge interest. God specifically tells them they have to be treated as well as they would treat an immigrant or a foreign guest. As I’ve said many times already, I wonder if our elected leaders are aware of this passage?
8/16 Reading (Leviticus 22-24; Acts 9)
I have to be honest here, I’m relying heavily on the notes and section headings for the rest of Leviticus, primarily from the CEB version. I just keep struggling with Leviticus and I think the problem is the feeling that I need to write a lot. After talking with my father about all of this I realized that I can’t let myself get frustrated about this. If I don’t write much, so be it. That’s how I felt on that particular day or during those readings.