Numbers

Numbers 27:  God Values Justice and Equity for Women Collin Leong.  April 29, 2026 (v1-11) The Daughters of Zelophehad (v1-4) The daughters of Zelophehad, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, came before Moses and Eleazar and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying: "Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among out father's brothers." Exp: The daughters of Zelophehad was mentioned in previous chapter (26:33) . The division of the land is not given to daughters, but their husbands' clan, if any. As such, Zelophehad's clan were not given any land.  In Israelite society, land inheritance was tied t...

Numbers 26:  God’s Sustenance Endure Across Generations Collin Leong. April 25, 2026 (v1-65) Census of the New Generation (v1-4) After the plague, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar, the priest: "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their father's houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war." Moses and Eleazar, told the people in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho to take the census as the LORD had commanded. The people who came out of the land of Egypt were:  Exp: In v3 (and also in v63 ), the location of the people was at "plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho." They are not in the Jericho city, but across the Jordan river from Jericho . The text uses Jericho as a reference point because it was well-known and symbolically important. Israel was still east of the Jordan in Moabite territory, and not in Amorite territory in the land of Canaan.  (v5-11) Reuben, the first born of Is...

Numbers 25: God Sees and Rewards Faithfulness Collin Leong. April 22, 2026 (v1-9) Baal Worship at Peor (v1-3) While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And they anger of the LORD was kindled among Israel.  Exp: Shittim is on the east-side of Jordan river, and it is the territory of Moab. (In future, Joshua will send spies into Jericho from Shittim. Joshua 2:1 ) It is very near to Baal-peor, where Israelites had relationship with the daughters of Moab and gave in to the temptation of bowing to Baal.  (v4-5) And the LORD said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel." And Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of...

Numbers 24:  God’s Blessing is Irrevocable Collin Leong. April 17, 2026 (v1-14) Balaam's Third Oracle (v1-3a) When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go our to look for omens, as in previous times, but set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse and said:  Exp: In previous times, Balaam had been engaging in divination process by leaving the altars and seeking "omens" (signs or auguries) to discern what word might come. This was consistent with his background as a pagan diviner. But here, at the top of Peor, Balaam already know God won't change his mind; instead he looks toward Israel's camp and receive a message from the Holy Spirit.  (v3b-9) "My eyes are opened, and I hear the words of God, and see the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered. How lovely are your tents and encampm...

Numbers 23:  God Steadfastness and Covenant Loyalty Collin Leong. April 11, 2026 (v1-30) Balaam's First Oracle (v1-4) And Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." Balak did as Balaam has said. Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram. And Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you." And he went to a bare height, and God met Balaam. And Balaam said to him, "I have arranged the seven altars and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram." Exp: The passage above says "God met Balaam." However, we know from Exodus 33:29 and John 1:18 , that no one can see God's face directly and live. The text doesn't say Balaam saw God's face. Most commentators says God appeared as a voice, prophetic inspiration or maybe as pre-incarnate Christ, perhaps in the form of ...