Through Numbers Uzorak

Passing the Torch 

When the Moabites were successful in seducing the Israelites, they induced God's wrath by breaking two commands. They were following other Gods and at the same time committing adultery with women who did not follow the Lord. The zealous act of Phineas won him God's favour of the priesthood to his children. Phineas' act brought an end to the death of the Israelites under God's wrath. 

Today God wants us to stand in the gap like Phineas, interceding for those who are being seduced by the evil one. The Lord fulfilled his word about His jealousy and punishment to those who followed other gods. Here we see Phineas with his zealous act, passing the 'Torch of the priesthood' to his descendants.

Now Moses and Eliezer take a census of the Israelites. Except for Moses, Joshua and Caleb, no one counted by Moses and Aaron was alive. The Lord fulfilled His promise that all Israelites except Joshua and Caleb would die in the wilderness. Their death was the consequence of not trusting God and believing the report of the spies. In today's world, God wants us to believe and trust His word even though our circumstances may encourage us to consider otherwise.

God fulfilled His promise to the family of Zelophehad that his daughters would have inheritance even though he did not have a son. This way, God blesses every Israelite family in the promised land. God protected the mantle of the family property from being lost. Today are cultural or legal traditions hindering you from receiving God's blessings? God is 'just', and He will give you your portion. 

God tells Moses to go to the top of the Abraim Mountains to have a look of the promised land. The incident at the rock in the wilderness of Zin, when Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, cost him his inheritance. 'The torch of leading' the Israelites were passed on to Joshua by the laying of hands of Moses. 

Thought for the day: 

How does God want you to safeguard the torch handed to you? Are you asking God how and when you need to pass it on and to whom?

Lord, help me complete my leg of the race and pass the baton on faithfully.

Additional Reading - Numbers 25-27