"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you;

The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26, NIV 

 

Let's face it - parts of the Books of Moses are not the most exciting stuff.

 

So, why read it?

 

Is it really important to "plow through" the seemingly endless genealogies, the numerous dimensions of every item in the tabernacle, the painstaking numbering of the troops and the minute details of every specification for the sacrifices, the laws and their corresponding punishments?

 

In a word: Yes.

 

Part of the reason for the Old Testament is to teach us that God is serious. He expected His rules to be carried out to the letter - as a matter of fact, He still does.

 

He also gives us ample evidence that the Bible was inspired. For the number "geeks" among us, He gives us enough information to be amazed at the accuracy of His Word. He allows the architects and builders to see how He did things, including the intelligence behind the functional utility of His plans. As an example, ship engineers can appreciate the stability of the dimensions that God specified for Noah's ark. Mathematicians and archaeologists alike can add up the figures given in the various genealogies and see that they jibe very well with what we know about history.

 

How could one man, Moses, possess all of that knowledge that has withstood thousands of years of the critical eyes of the various experts in their fields unless his works were truly inspired by God?

 

And then we have verses like the one found at the end of Numbers 6! After going through all of those meticulous numbering of the troops, specifications for the tabernacle elements and exacting details on the priesthood, we are given one of the most beautiful blessings ever recorded: May the LORD bless you and keep you!

 

Aren't you glad you are taking the time to read all of God's Word? Don't you wish you had started earlier?

 

"Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4, NIV

 

Today is the nineteenth day of the Thirty Day Challenge to read through the Books of Moses. The reading for today is the first six chapters of Number. May God richly bless your efforts to seek every word that He has given!