Offering Review…
Q: When does the teacher give a review?
A: Before a test. 📝
There are several things happening in these chapters. Moses does a new census. The technicalities of land inheritance are settled. Joshua is commissioned to take Moses’ place.
The Lord is getting the new generation ready to settle in the land. And a big part of that is making sure that they know when and how they are going to meet with Yahweh.
The priesthood represents them before the Lord. It’s a representative form of government really. There are laws and consequences for breaking them.
If we were to compare Israel’s government to the 3-branch system of government in the United States it would look something like this:
Yahweh is the Legislative Branch. He makes the laws.
The Priesthood is the Executive Branch. They are appointed (by Yahweh) to make sure the laws are carried out. Later on, the prophets and kings will participate in this branch to some extent.
The Moses (and the 70 Elders) are the Judicial Branch. They interpret the application of the law and determine if a law has been broken. Later this group will include the scribes. The prophets will also function a bit like judges – announcing sentences of condemnation and punishment for breaking the law.
The “Judges” of Israel will at times function as Executives, Judges (as their name implies) and Military Leaders; or a mix of all 3.
By going back over the national calendar and the procedures around holidays (holy days) and the procedures for maintaining Yahweh’s sacred space – God is confirming that He is still committed to this whole project. He’s committed to them, even if Moses is gone. He’s preparing them to be a settled nation and clarifying that the appointed times weren’t just for their fathers in the wilderness. The appointed times are for them and their children. Yahweh is for them and their children.
And don’t we need the Lord to do this with each new generation?
As young people reach maturity they have to develop their own relationship with the Lord. There comes a time when He is no longer just your parents’ God. He must be yours. Every generation must choose.
I’m a big believer in learning from the mistakes of others. If I can avoid a hard lesson, I’m all for it. But here’s what I typically observe:
Gen 1: Let’s rebel against God.
Consequences: Suffering and Death.
Gen 2: Yeah, I know Gen 1’s decisions resulted in suffering and death, but it won’t be that way for me. Let’s rebel against God.
Consequences: Suffering and Death.
Me: Coulda told ya that.
Of course, it never looks that straightforward. It looks more like a little compromise here and a little “you do you” there. And it tends to cycle. At some point a generation gets tired of the suffering and death and starts to look into why. And they find their way back to the Truth.
I’m super pleased to hear that Gen Z young men are leading their generation back to the Bible and faith. For the first time in several years, the stats are pointing to a trend toward being more interested in Bible reading, church attendance, faith and family. But it’s primarily among Gen Z males. The girls are still trending further away sadly.
Side note to my Gen Z young men, readers:
DO. NOT. BACK. DOWN.
You go full-on noble warrior mode.
In Christ, you absolutely have what it takes.
Walk in step with Jesus. Ignore the world. When you mess up, own it and receive God’s grace. Fall forward.
I’m SO proud of you.
We need you. And you are making a difference – to the whole world.
We are going to have to fight for our kids. The Kingdom of Darkness isn’t just gonna say, “Oh shoot. They started a youth program. You got me. I surrender.”
You probably know some Gen Z kids. You may be their parent or grandparent. When you see young men and women in your church fellowship, please shower them with affirmation for making the choice to serve the Lord. Encourage them. Model Christian manhood and womanhood. The next generation is desperately going to need them.
So many people today (young and old – sigh) have been indoctrinated by the world. And I don’t think you argue people out of sin with powerful logic. You pray them out of sin and spiritual bondage. You shine as brightly as you can and model the life of peace and love that they want deep down.
The blue-haired, gender-confused, pierced and tatted “kids” are not the enemy. They’re the P.O.W.s.
And just like the Lord had to patiently go back over all the basics with the new generation of Israel, we will need to be patient with our next Gen and go back over the basics with them to help prepare them to face the giants.
To The Reader 