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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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.

12. 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)