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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Num. 19
God instituted a special process for purifying anyone who came in contact with human death. Contact with even just a bone or a grave was enough to require this purification. This process involved the ashes of a cow that, unlike other sacrificed animals, was both slaughtered and burned outside the camp. The author of Hebrews points out in chapter 13 that Jesus was also killed outside the city. So I can’t help but think that this whole purification process is somehow symbolic of how Jesus cleanses us from our human condition of death.
Num. 20
Once again the Israelites complained to God because they came to a place where they did not have what they needed and wanted. They said, “Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink!” (Num. 20:5). I find it ironic that they labeled the place as evil because it didn’t have these things, even though the very presence of God was with them there. It speaks of our unreasonable reluctance to look to God for what we need and to find satisfaction in what He gives. Instead, we are tempted by and drawn to the things this world provides.
Chances are that we all sometimes make the mistake of judging good and evil based on our own human desires. This seems like a good thing to watch out for whenever we think we are lacking something. The truth is that God is all we need, no matter how we feel. The evil exists where our misplaced longings are, not where God’s presence is. It can be hard to recognize that in this wilderness of life where suffering abounds, but God will reveal Himself as holy when we place our trust in Him.
Num. 21
I’m here to say, the journey from captivity in Egypt to settling in the Promised Land was not a direct path! There were so many obstacles, detours, and conflicts along the way. Our journey from the moment of belief to our ultimate salvation is the same. So when we read the Israelites’ story, we should see our own story in it. There is much to learn about both human nature and God’s character in their journey. If we are smart, we can apply those truths to help our own journey be a little more tolerable. God is faithful. He will see us over every obstacle, around every detour, and through every conflict we face.