THE SECOND GENERATION: ADMONITIONS

Lesson 12 for the 19th of December, 2009

TRIBETHE

CENSUS ON SINAI

THE CENSUS NEXT TO JERICHO

REUBEN ─ 46.500 43.730SIMEON ─ 59.300 22.200GAD ─ 45.650 40.500JUDAH + 74.600 76.500ISSACHAR + 54.400 64.300ZEBULUN + 57.400 60.500MANASSEH + 32.200 52.700EPHRAIM ─ 40.500 32.500BENJAMIN + 35.400 45.600DAN + 62.700 64.400ASHER + 41.500 53.400NAPHTALI ─ 53.400 45.400LEVI + 22.000 23.000

625.550 624.730

A NEW CENSUS

“The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed. Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups”.

ORGANIZING THE LAND

A second census was made to share fairly the conquered land.

Numbers, 26: 53-56

Against any cultural norm, God was equitable in dealing with inheritances.

The estate passed to the sons.If they had no sons, then to the daughters.If there were no direct heirs, then to the brothers.If there were no brothers, to the uncles.If there were no uncles, to the closest relative.

The land must always be possession of the family:

ORGANIZING THE LAND

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONBefore Moses died, he looked for a suitable leader for Israel, so they could enter Canaan. He raised his request to God.

“so that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd” (Numbers, 27: 17)

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark, 6: 34)

He showed the same compassion that Jesus would show later to the people.

Moses didn’t suggest a candidate. He put that choice in God’s hands.

Why should Moses hand out the position to Joshua in front of the congregation?

What does this expression mean: “And you shall give some of your authority to him” (Numbers, 27: 20)?

Moses spoke face to face with God, but Joshua couldn’t do that.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

How should Joshua consult God to lead the conquest?

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONThe religious obligations are reminded to the new generation.

Daily sacrifices (Numbers, 28: 1-8)

• In the morning and in the afternoon.Weekly sacrifices (Numbers, 28: 9-10)

• Sabbatical sacrifice.Monthly sacrifices (Numbers, 28: 11-15)

• New moon (starting a month)Annual sacrifices (Numbers, 28: 16-29: 40)

• Passover.• Weeks (Pentecost)• Trumpets.• Day of atonement.• Tents.

A vow is a commitment before God.An oath commits us to something before other people.

VOWS“This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said”(Numbers, 30: 1-2 NVI)

“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it” (Ecclesiastes, 5: 5)“Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfil my vows day after day” (Psalm 61: 8)

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

Should we keep a vow even if it’s

against God’s law?

“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows” (Proverbs, 20: 25)

Vow of a man

He was bound to his vow.

Vow of a woman

Single

If her father heard the vow and was quiet, she was

bound.

If her father disapproved of it, she was exempt from keeping it.

Married

If her husband heard the vow and was quiet, she was

bound.

If her husband disapproved of it, she was exempt from keeping it.

If her husband disapproved the vow after approving it earlier, it was considered a sin for the husband’s part.

Widow or repudiated

If the vow was prior to the husband’s death or the repudiation, the laws for

married women were applied.

If the vow was done later, then she was bound to her vow.

VOWSRELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

MILITARY ORGANIZATION

“People get along by speaking” (Spanish proverb)

Reuben and Gad tribes asked to remain at the west of the River Jordan, without entering the promise land. How harmful could that be?

How was that situation solved?

Apart from fighting for their own land, the sons of Manasseh –and Reuben and Gad– didn’t act in a selfish way.They were willing to go with their brothers to conquering Canaan, with all their warriors.

How implicated in God’s work

are we?

MILITARY ORGANIZATION

“In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us”.

E.G.W. (Life Sketches, cp. 31, pg. 196)