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Numbers 21 - 36

At the place where water came out from a rock, Moses didn't show proper respect to God when addressing the Israelites hence was cut-off from leading the people into the promised land.

The Israelites go into the canaanite lands and find that they are able to defeat them (Moabites, Amorites). They capture and settle into the land of Moab. Aaron and Miriam died on their way to into the land.

The story of Balaam is a very interesting one. I'm not sure why it's in the bible but a couple of lessons can be learnt. It sounds like Balaam was a prophet who knew how to inquire of the Lord but yet was not an Israelite. He also used to practice divination, hence the Moab elders asking for his help.

He was rebuked by his own donkey having the voice of God and decided to repent and bless the Israelites instead of cursing them. It says that he was filled with the spirit of God when he uttered oracles to the people of Israel. What's interesting is that God used an alien to proclaim his glory and might. I can't help but feel that the message of this story is that God will use ANYONE and ANYTHING to get his message across. When his plan is in motion, noone can oppose him.

Isrealites get seduced by the Moabites women and worshiped other gods and were put to death by Phineas (grandson of Aaron) with a spear. Although this story shows radical repentance, this sort of punishment was not new to the community.

A second cencus was taken. The clan of rebels who were swallowed by ground did not die out. God loves beyond our sins deserve! But yet none of those who rebelled at the report of strength of the canaanite people, none of them were counted all of them had died except Caleb and Joshua.

Joshua son of Nun was declared the new leader of the Israelites. It was done by Moses waiting on God to choose who should lead.

God iterates the feast and offerings to be kept from generation to generation.

The Israelites go to war with the Midianites. Remember that Jepthro, Moses' father-in-law, was a Midian priest. God makes no exception eventhough he used you for a good purpose. But yet they allowed the non-virgin to live. The virgins were taken as plunder. The spoils were divided amongst the people.

Now the tribe of Gad and Reuben wanted to stay and live and grow their livestock while the others went to war. But this was not to be so and so they left their woman and livestock behind and went to war. Yet their land will be of that side of the river Jordan.

The stages of Journey of the Isrealites was recalled. Before crossing the river Jordan into the land of Canaa, God told them what they should do when they are there.

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