Lesson 12 for the 19th of December, 2009 THE SECOND GENERATION: ADMONITIONS Lesson 12 for the 19th of December, 2009

THE CENSUS NEXT TO JERICHO A NEW CENSUS TRIBE THE CENSUS ON SINAI THE CENSUS NEXT TO JERICHO REUBEN ─ 46.500 43.730 SIMEON 59.300 22.200 GAD 45.650 40.500 JUDAH + 74.600 76.500 ISSACHAR 54.400 64.300 ZEBULUN 57.400 60.500 MANASSEH 32.200 52.700 EPHRAIM 32.500 BENJAMIN 35.400 45.600 DAN 62.700 64.400 ASHER 41.500 53.400 NAPHTALI 45.400 LEVI 22.000 23.000 625.550 624.730

ORGANIZING THE LAND A second census was made to share fairly the conquered land. “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”. Numbers, 26: 53-56

ORGANIZING THE LAND Against any cultural norm, God was equitable in dealing with inheritances. The land must always be possession of the family: 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.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION Before 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) He showed the same compassion that Jesus would show later to the people. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark, 6: 34)

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION 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. How should Joshua consult God to lead the conquest?

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION The 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.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION 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) A vow is a commitment before God. An oath commits us to something before other people. “It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it” (Ecclesiastes, 5: 5) Should we keep a vow even if it’s against God’s law? “Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfil my vows day after day” (Psalm 61: 8)

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

MILITARY ORGANIZATION 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? “People get along by speaking” (Spanish proverb)

MILITARY ORGANIZATION How implicated in God’s work are we? 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.

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