numbers 35-36

Today’s reading is part of a larger chiastic structure:

Num 27:1-36:13
1A: Num 27:1-7, The daughters of Zelophehad;
1B: Num 27:8-11, Laws concerning the inheritance of the land;
1C: Num 27:12-14, Moses shall be gathered to his people;
1D: Num 27:15-23, Moses transferred authority to Joshua by inauguration;
CENTRAL AXIS: Num 28:1-29:40, Daily, Sabbath, new moon, and feast day offerings;
2D: Num 30:1-16, Fathers/ husbands transfer authority to daughters/ wives by vow;
2C: Num 31:1-54, Moses shall be gathered to his people after taking vengeance on the Midianites;
2B: Num 32:1-35:34, Laws concerning the inheritance of the land;
2A: Num 36:1-13, The daughters of Zelophehad.

Please note that once again, Scripture is placing neon flashing lights around the set apart appointed times, the feast days of the LORD. This is a repetition we keep seeing in Scripture for a reason! Setting these days apart for remembering the LORD and worshiping Him, and everything else we are to do on these days, is important! This is just one more way Scripture is emphasizing their importance!

Finding Messiah: There are to be three cities of refuge on the west side of the Jordan, and three cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan – three! A sign of the Messiah! A city of refuge is a place to which someone who deserves death because of bloodshed, can flee and escape death. Escape from certain death is also a sign of Messiah, as He is the Resurrection and the Life! A city of refuge prophesies of Messiah, just as the Tabernacle is Messiah, and the Menorah, and the feast days, and the sacrifices, and the red heifer!

“So the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.” Num 35:25

Who is the high priest of our confession? Messiah Yeshua (Heb 3:1)! It is His death which releases all who are guilty and deserving death because of our guilt, from our deserved consequence! At His death, we are released, and we can return to our inheritance, which is our Promised Land!

<– 33-34 numbers ::: deuteronomy 1-2 –>
numbers index ::: ::: ::: one year reading schedule