READING: Leviticus 27:1-34, Numbers 1:1-54
Several years ago, I watched as I read through the Scriptures for words like “The Lord said,” “the word of the Lord came to ________,” or other phrases that indicate God’s willingness to speak to someone. The book of Leviticus is especially filled with such phrases—actually, as one scholar noted, “over 150 times and in more than twenty ways.”* Apparently, God wanted us to know that He—the God who communicates with His people—was ultimately the author of the book. He is also the God who keeps His word in multiplying His people, thus fulfilling the promise to give Abraham descendants numbering like the sand (Gen 22:17); further, He prepared His people for the conquest by raising up able-bodied men to fight (600,000+ men, though this generation would reject God’s offer of a land).
God is a communicating God who keeps His promises and prepares us for whatever He calls us to do. In the midst of the chaos of this world today, that’s really, really good to remember. Our responsibility is to hear Him through His Word and simply obey everything He commanded us (Matt 28:20).
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What does it mean to you to know that God communicates with us through His Word?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, I praise You again today for making Yourself known to us. ”
TOMORROW’S READING: Numbers 2:1-3:51
*Allen, R. B. (1990). Numbers. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 702). Zondervan Publishing House.