The key events of chapters 20 -35, as listed below, include some very important events, as well as some defining moments. In chapter 20, both Miriam and Aaron die.  This chapter is also where Moses strikes the rock for the second time – this time not following God’s command – the event for which neither Moses nor Aaron will be allowed to enter the Promised Land. Other key events in the following chapters include that of the bronze snake, apostasy at Peor (see this previous post for comments on those two events), victories over Canaan, prescription of the land boundaries, and much more.

The Move From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab

• Miriam dies at Kadesh – Numbers 20:1
• The waters of Meribah \ Moses strkes the rock – Numbers 20:2–13
• Edom rejects Israel’s request – Numbers 20:14–21
• The death of Aaron – Numbers 20:22–29
• First victory over the Canaanites – Numbers 21:1–3
• The bronze snake – Numbers 21:4–9
• Wilderness of Transjordan – Numbers 21:10–20
• Victory over Amorite King Sihon – Numbers 21:21–30
• The defeat of Og, king of Bashan – Numbers 21:31–35

Balak and Balaam

• 

  Messengers from King Balak of Moab offer riches to the prophet Balaam to come to Moab and curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:1-20).

  Balaam rejects Balak’s first summons – Numbers 22:7-14

• Balaam and the donkey – Numbers 22:22-35
• Balak meets with Balaam – Numbers 22:36-40

Balaam blesses Israel

• First blessing – Numbers 22:41-23:12
• Second blessing – Numbers 23:13-30
• Third blessing – Numbers 24:1-14
• Balaam’s oracle – Numbers 24:15-19
• Balaam predicts defeat of three enemies – Numbers 24:20-25

Baal worship at Peor – Numbers 25:1-18

The Second Census – Numbers 26

Laws for the land

• The concern of the daughters of Zelophehad – Numbers 27:1-11
• Joshua named as Moses’ successor – Numbers 27:12-23

Schedule of feasts and sacrifices

• Daily offering – Numbers 28:1-8
• The Sabbath offerings – Numbers 28:9-10
• New moon sacrifices – Numbers 28:11-15
• Feast of Unleavened Bread – Numbers 28:16-25
• Feast of weeks (Pentecost) – Numbers 28:26-31
• The first day of the seventh month – Numbers 29:1-6
• Day of Atonement – Numbers 29:7-11
• The Feast of Booths – Numbers 29:12-38

The serious commitment of vows

• Men, women and their separate vows – Numbers 30:1-5
• Marriage, widows, and divorcees – Numbers 30:6-16

Vengeance on Midian – Numbers 31

Settlement in TransJordan – Numbers 32

Locating events in the Book of Numbers

Summary of Journey  (Egypt to Canaan) – Numbers 33

Boundaries ordained for Canaan

• Southern Border – Numbers 34:1-5
• Western Border – Numbers 34:6
• Northern Border – Numbers 34:7-9
• Eastern Border – Numbers 34:10–15
• Distributors of land named – Numbers 34:16-19
• Cities for the Levites – Numbers 35:1-8
• Cities of refuge
  • Purpose and selection – Numbers 35:9-15
  • Murders deserving the death penalty – Numbers 35:16-21
  • Murders not deserving of death – Numbers 35:22-29
  • Other instructions about murder and murderers – Numbers 35:30-34
• The marriage of Zelophehad’s daughters – Numbers 36:1-13

/Bob’s boy

___________________

image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.