Regulars at The Master's Table got a written explanation a few weeks ago of what was going on with Read the Bible but if you only listen to the podcast then you may not know. I started a full time job - during the week, I haven't left the church I pastor - rather suddenly. So I wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and well just very busy and kind of struggling to adjust to the hours and demands of a new routine. I hope to get back to reading the Bible and sharing my experience but it may be more like a couple of episodes per week than every single day.

A well known statement made by the Israelites concerning manna – we loathe this light bread – is found in this chapter. God’s response is pretty well known too, I imagine; fiery serpents came into the came and many people died. At the command of the LORD, Moses puts up a bronze serpent on a pole.

This is not a good chapter in the life of Israel. Miriam dies at the beginning, Aaron dies at the end, and in between Moses is judged by God and told he will die before entering the promised land. Throw in Edom coming out with a small army against them for good measure.

A sacrifice was required to produce the water of purification. More details are given here for who is clean and who is uncleaned.

God returns to giving instructions, as we see here with the details of what the priesthood costs and the benefits of service to Aaron and his descendants.

There are three things kept in the ark of the covenant/ ark of testimony. The 10 commandments written on stone tablets, a jar with an omer of manna, and Aaron’s staff. Aaron’s staff is not actually in the ark, but kept with it in order to remind the Israelites who God has chosen to do his work. Here is that story.

This is a longer chapter but very exciting so it goes by quickly. Korah, a descendant of Kohath, gets a group of men together who challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. They agree with Moses’ plan to have both stand before God and let him choose (which he had already done).

This chapter almost feels out of place. The children of Israel have just rebelled against their leadership and God, and have been condemned to spend the next 40 years in the wilderness. Then he goes back into giving instructions about making offerings and emphasizes the importance of obedience; but the instructions are for that next generation that is being raised up.