The generation of those who rebelled against the Lord in the desert has died. A new generation is prepared; they had no experience of Egypt, since they were born during the Exodus.

The Bible’s first instance of women’s rights is in the account of the five daughters of Zelophehad. This man had no sons; the daughters came to Moses requesting justice for them, so that they could have the inheritance of the family, which usually passed along by the sons alone. They present a delicate balance between assertiveness and yielding to the final decisions left in the hands of the Lord through his servant Moses.

Joshua is selected as the one to lead the people into the Promised Land. 27:14 recalls how the Lord denied entry to Moses, because he complained. Reflect on yourself in this regard.

The Sabbath Torah Portion — Pinhas (Phineas)

Numbers 26:52—28:15

Here is a sample of a seven-syllable breath-prayer from today’s reading:
Showing off Your holiness 27:14
For more information about this creative way to pray, see Bible Breaths.

Saturdays are dedicated to the Sabbath Torah portions
read in synagogues throughout the world.
This plan follows those traditions that take a third of the portion
over a three year cycle, this year, the second part.
For more about the Torah portions and thoughtful commentaries, visit
The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Beginning tomorrow, the Firestarters from the new edition of
The Bible Through the Seasons for families will be posted daily. 

King Balak of the neighboring country of Moab hired Balaam, a pagan prophet, to curse God’s people. Balak wanted to eliminate any threat that the Israelites would have against him and his land of Moab. Today’s reading is the account of what happened between God and Balaam. God declares to Balaam the unique blessing that God gives to his people.

The pagan Balaam stands in awe of the power of God. God is true to God’s word. When God blesses, who can curse?

The well-known hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” based on Lamentations, 3:22-23, expresses this when we sing in praise of God: “Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not.” The Letter to the Hebrews, 13:8, expresses it this way: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

The Sabbath Torah Portion — Balak

Numbers 22:39—23:30

Here is a sample of a seven-syllable breath-prayer from today’s reading:
Speaking only what You want 23:12
For more information about this creative way to pray, see Bible Breaths.

Saturdays are dedicated to the Sabbath Torah portions
read in synagogues throughout the world.
This plan follows those traditions that take a third of the portion
over a three year cycle, this year, the second part.
For more about the Torah portions and thoughtful commentaries, visit
The Jewish Theological Seminary.

On July 8, the Firestarters from the new edition of
The Bible Through the Seasons for families will be posted daily. 

Hear the sobering consequences for those who challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Death by plague comes to those continuing to rebel and complain against the Lord. Moses stands in the gap for the people as their intercessor. (Cf. Ezekiel 22:30.)

Chapter 17 tells what the Lord does about the arrogance of the people’s complaining about Aaron. His rod buds with blossoms and almonds. Together with the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, this wondrous sign from the Lord is placed in the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle.

You are called to a unique ministry that only you can fulfill. What would be a symbol of this uniqueness? Put it near the place where you pray.

The Sabbath Torah Portion — Hukkath (Ordinance)

Numbers 20:22-29

Saturdays are dedicated to the Sabbath Torah portions
read in synagogues throughout the world.
This plan follows those traditions that take a third of the portion
over a three year cycle, this year, the second part.
For more about the Torah portions and thoughtful commentaries, visit
The Jewish Theological Seminary.

For the next few weeks, I’ll be posting Firestarters from the original version of The Bible Through the Seasons.