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Friday, February 28, 2014

Deuteronomy 3-4 Hearing his voice and seeing his form

From Deuteronomy 3-4





What does God look like? If you were to imaging what God looked like what things come to mind?

Overview

Dt 3.1-11 Story; Defeat of King Og of Bashan
Dt 3.12-22 Story; The tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh claim their land, but still have to enter and fight
Dt 3.23-29 Story; Moses not allowed to enter the promised land because of Israel
Dt 4.1-8 Story; Moses commands Israel to obey the LORD’s statutes and commands
Dt 4.9-14 Story; Moses exhorts Israel not to forget their experiences with the LORD at Horeb and the Ten Commandments
Dt 4.15-24 Law; Idolatry (Ten Commandments) Reminder that idolatry is forbidden
Dt 4.25-31 Prophecy; Prediction of Idolatry - Apostasy, but they will return and the LORD will honour the covenant
Dt 4.32-40 Story; Israel is greatly blessed because of the favour the LORD has shown them. They are to remember this.
Dt 4.41-43 Story; Moses commands they set up a few cities of refuge
Dt 4.44-49 Story; Introduction to Israel’s Covenant Law

Passage and Comments

Moses continues describing the early history of Israel. When the new generation first begins to enter the promised land they meet hostile armies and defeat them. They defeat them because the LORD is with them. Their is a potential hiccup when the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh want to reside in their inheritance and the other think they will not help them fight for their land. They agree to help them with the remainder of the battles.

Moses recalls he was not allowed to enter the promised land. He is not allowed to enter because Israel has refused to listen to the LORD. This reason is obviously different from Numbers, where Moses was not allowed to enter because he struck the rock instead of telling it to bear water and in doing so did not regard the LORD as holy before the people.

Our passage begins will Moses continuing to exhort Israel to obey the LORD’s commands. He reminds them of the mighty works of the LORD and instructs them to teach generations to come.

4 “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. (Dt 4:1–2)

Israel’s life was predicated on their observance of the law (cf. Lev 18.5). They are not to add to, remove from, or modify the commandments the LORD gives them. Moses reminds them what they are doing. They are about to enter the promised land. If they want the LORD to remain with them not offending him by keeping his commands might be a good idea.

3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today. 5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. (Dt 4:3–5)

Moses recalls what the LORD has done for them so far.

6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? (Dt 4:6–8)

The commands of the LORD are intended to make them look good and commend the LORD before the nations around them. Perhaps in doing so they will inspire the other nations to join the faith.

9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 10 how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’ 11 And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. 12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. (Dt 4:9–12)

Moses reminds them of when they were at Horeb. Only they weren’t at Horeb, that generation died in the wilderness as a result of their unbelief. Numbers remember? However 'Moses' says this as if they also were there with them. So this is how Deuteronomy is pitched. It is written for a later generation of Israel, but the savings events of the exodus and the giving of the law in some way are involving all future generations of Israel as well.

13 And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14 And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess. (Dt 4:13–14)

Moses describes the Jewish law as the covenant. Abraham’s covenant gets added to over time. First came circumcision (Gen 17) and now comes the Jewish law. Because of the evolution, the Jews were seen to be the sole beneficiaries of the LORD’s covenant blessings. Provided they upheld their end of the covenant. To keep the law the LORD gave them.

If we jump forward a bit, Moses makes the same connection between the Jewish law and the covenant.

23 Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. 24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.  (Dt 4:23–24)

It might be helpful to remember the golden calf incident. There is every reason for Moses to keep reminding Israel against carved images.... But then later, Moses predicts that Israel will fall away, but after a time they will return and the LORD will accept them back, why? Look what he says about this.

31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Dt 4:31)

The LORD binds himself to fulfill his own covenant obligations.

Moses will explain to the people how blessed they are because of what the LORD has done for them. Moses begins to speak more and more about the law. He introduces the idea of cities of refuge. When someone committed a crime or was accused on one normally they would be pursued by the victim or their family and perhaps killed. So Moses setup cities of refuge so they could flee there and hope to get a fair trial.

Our next blog will introduce the covenant law and in particular the most important commandment. The Shema.

Story of Israel

The voice of the LORD is a concept that is remembered through Israel’s history. At the end of Joshua, he instructs the people to obey the LORD’s voice (Josh 24.24). In judges the LORD’s anger is kindled because they do not obey the LORD’s voice (Jdg 2.20; 6.10). Samuel instructs the people to obey the LORD’s voice when they ask for a king over them (1 Sam 12.14-15). More often than not Israel is condemned because they do not listen to the LORD’s voice of obey it (e.g. 1 Ki 18.12; Jer 3.13,25; Dan 9.11). When you read the scriptures, if you read something about someones ‘voice’, remember that it can carry connotations of someone’s speech, their authority and command.

Moses suggested, if Israel obeys the LORD’s voice the nations will be impressed by their wisdom and righteousness. They will want to know more about the LORD. This is actually prophesied in a later prophet.

4 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, 2 and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Mic 4:1–2)

Story of Jesus

Jesus briefly referred to his own ‘voice’. Jesus voice has authority, it commands, judges and gives life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (Jn 5:25–29)

He will later allude to Dt 4.11-12 when he condemns the Jews who have rejected him as they have been rejecting the LORD’s voice for so long.

37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (Jn 5:37–40)

All who hear Jesus’ voice and come to him have life. Come to Jesus.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Deuteronomy 1-2 The Jewish story retold

From Deuteronomy 1-2





When you think of the Jewish law, what kinds of things come to mind?


Introduction


Deuteronomy, which means “second law,” is a retelling by Moses of the teachings and events of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It includes an extended review of the Ten Commandments (4:44–5:33) and Moses’ farewell address to a new generation of Israelites as they stand ready to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses reminds them of God’s faithfulness and love, but also of God’s wrath on the previous generation of Israelites because of their rebellion. Repeatedly he charges Israel to keep the Law. Deuteronomy is a solemn call to love and obey the one true God. There are blessings for faithfulness and curses for unfaithfulness. The book closes with the selection of Joshua as Israel’s new leader and the death of Moses.


(The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)


Overview


Dt 1.1-8 Story; Israel commanded to leave Goren and go to the promised land
Dt 1.9-18 Story; Moses appoints leaders to help him govern the people
Dt 1.19-33 Story; Moses sends out spies to the promised land, they return and report
Dt 1.34-46 Story-Sin; Israel refuses to go in and the LORD condemns them to wander for a generation, they try to enter but are defeated in battle
Dt 2.1-15 Story; The forty years in the wilderness, part one, the men of war have perished
Dt 2.16-37 Story; The forty years in the wilderness, part two, a new start, early battle won
Passage and Comments


Deuteronomy means ‘second law’. The Hebrew word translated as ‘law’ is ‘Torah’, it can also be rendered ‘direction’ or ‘instruction’. Deuteronomy itself is presented as summary of the dealings between the LORD and Israel on the way from Horeb to the promised land.

1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. (Dt 1:1)

Deuteronomy begins with someone recalling Moses words and deeds. The third person reference eventually changes to first person (Dt 1.9). This brings up questions of who wrote Deuteronomy. But I will leave this question for another day. Deuteronomy continues;

2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him in commandment to them, 4 after he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei. (Dt 1:2-4)

As they journeyed along Moses passed on the LORD’s commandments to Israel. There were a few. Some fairly obvious about how they should treat the LORD and treat one another. Others were ceremonial and involved rituals to recall certain events. Some administrative, etc.

5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, 6 “The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’ (Dt 1:5–8)

The explanation of the law doesn’t seem to provide rationale for the commands of the law. So what is going on here and why has Moses explained the ‘law’ this way? What is reasonably is that Moses is referring to the LORD’s command and promise that Israel continue on to Canaan, the promised land. The ‘law’ in this sense describes the command to go to the promised land and the story of Israel in doing so.

Moses will continue to describe the early history of Israel. Recalling how he setup leaders to look after the people. His sending of Caleb and the spies to check out the promised land. Their initial refusal and unbelief in the LORD that they can take it. And then their punishment. The wilderness wanderings after which a whole generation had passed away.


Story of Israel


The 'law' is understood in different ways by the Jews. Simply put, it can be a combination of;
1) The scriptural narrative of Israel, and/or
2) The commands given to Moses (encoded as part of the narrative)


Unfortunately the era of the law turned out to be a time of slavery and wrath. Firstly they were enslaved to Egypt (Ex 1.8-14). Afterwards when Israel had been delivered from Egypt and when they sinned against the LORD. The LORD gave them more laws as another form of slavery (Eze 20.25-26; Gal 3.22-23; 4.1-10).


While some of the commands of the law are good (Rom 7.12), living under the whole law was actually a burden (Acts 15.10). God gave the law to Israel when the sinned so they could sin more (Rom 5.20) and thus their sins would pile up to the point where God could pour out his wrath on them (Rom 4.15). This isn't the end though. There is hope.


Story of Jesus


One of the interesting aspects of Romans 3 is Paul’s references to the law. Paul says;


10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15  “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (Rom 3.10-19)

When Paul is using the word ‘law’ (or Torah) at the start of verse 19, he is referring to the whole narrative of God’s dealings with Israel. The passages he quotes above come from Psalms and Isaiah. He is not referring to the law as a set of commands at this point. Paul will say in Galatians;

23 Now before faith [Christ] came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith [Christ] would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith [Christ] has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith [Christ’s faithfulness]. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:23–29)

In the story of Jesus (the gospel), the story of the Jews is superseded and a new people of God will be defined by him.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Overview of Numbers

Num 1.1-16; Story; The LORD commands a census of all the congregation
Num 1.17-46; Story; The resulting numbers counted from the census
Num 1.47-54; Story; The Levites are exempted from the census so they could perform Priestly duties
Num 2.1-2; Story; Instructions for how to camp and how to move as a group
Num 2.3-9; Story; The group on the east side - Judah, Issachar, Zebulun. They set out first.
Num 2.10-16; Story; The group on the south side - Reuben, Simeon, Gad. They set out second.
Num 2.17; Story; The Tent of Meeting with the Levites in the midst of the camp. They set out next.
Num 2.18-24; Story; The group on the west side (the original 'Westies') - Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin. They set out third.
Num 2.25-31; Story; The group on the north - Dan, Asher, Naphtali. They set out last.
Num 2.32-34; Story; Summary statement mentioning the Levites in the group.


Num 3.1-4; Story; The generations of Aaron and Moses introduced
Num 3.5-39; Law; Instructions regarding the Priestly duties
Gershon - Guard duty for the tent of meeting
Kohath - Guard duty for the ark, table, lampstand, altars and vessels of the sanctuary
Merari - Guard duty for the frames of the tabernacle, the bars, the pillars, pegs and cords
Moses, Aaron and His sons - Guard duty for the sanctuary
Num 3.40-51; Story; Listing of all the firstborn for redemption and the monies used to finance the Tent of Meeting and Priestly service
Num 4.1-16; Story; Instructions for the Kohathites for carrying the sanctuary and its contents
Num 4.17-49; Story; Continued duties for Gershon, Kohath, Merari, Moses, Aaron and his sons.


Num 5.1-4; Law; Skin diseases, people with skin diseases are to be put out of the camp
Num 5.5-10; Law; Restitution after releasing guilt for wrong
Num 5.11-31; Law; Families, test to see if a woman has committed adultery
Num 6.1-21; Law; Nazirite vow


Num 7.1-11; Story; Setting up the tabernacle
Num 7.12-83; Story; Twelve days of offerings from the tribes of Israel
Num 7.84-88; Story; Summary of all the dedication offerings for the tabernacle
Num 7.89; Story; The LORD speaks to Moses from above the mercy seat


Num 8.1-4; Law; The seven lamps and the lampstand
Num 8.5-13; Law; Levites - cleansing of the levites
Num 8.14-22; Law; Levites - to serve the LORD, instead of the firstborn
Num 8.23-26; Law; Levites - work life is from 25 to 50
Num 9.1-5; Story; The Passover is celebrated
Num 9.6-14; Law; Repeated instructions for Passover, people who have touched dead bodies included
Num 9.15-23; Story; The cloud and the fire of the LORD directing the people
Num 10.1-10; Law; The Silver Trumpets (War and Worship)
Num 10.11-36; Story; Israel leaves Sinai


Num 11.1-6; Story-Sin; The people complain, are lament leaving Egypt, The LORD's wrath burns
Num 11.7-9; Story; The LORD provides manna like coriander seeds for the people
Num 11.10-15; Story; Moses complains to the LORD about being leader of the people
Num 11.16-17; Story; Elders appointed to help Moses lead the people, they are spiritually anointed
Num 11.18-23; Story-Sin; The LORD gives them more meat than what they want as a punishment
Num 11.24-30; Story; The spiritually anointed prophesy for a short time
Num 11.31-34; Story-Sin; The LORD sends quail and a plague
Num 12.1-16; Story-Sin; Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses and the LORD responds
Num 13.1-20; Story; Spies sent into the land of Canaan from among the tribes
Num 13.21-33; Story-Sin; The spies return and give a mixed report. They say good land and strong people. Caleb and Joshua say let's go, the remainder are afraid and won't go.


Num 14.1-12; Story-Sin; The people rebel against Moses and Aaron. The LORD rejects the people.
Num 14.13-19; Story; Moses intercedes with the LORD for the people
Num 14.20-38; Story; The LORD promises judgement. They will not enter his rest.
Num 14.39-45; Story; Israel mourns, presumes to enter the promised land and is defeated in battle.
Num 15.1-21; Law; Worship and sacrifice, Repeated instructions on various offerings
Num 15.22-31; Law; Laws about unintentional sins and deliberate sins
Num 15.32-36; Story-Law; Festivals and holidays, Sabbath breakers to be executed
Num 15.37-41; Law; Clothing, Tassels on garments to remind them of the commands


Num 16.1-15; Story-Sin; Korah and his sons rebel against Moses and Aaron
Num 16.16-35; Story-Sin; The LORD wiped out Korah and his family
Num 16.36-40; Story; Aaron's sons appointed to serve the LORD
Num 16.41-50; Story-Sin; The remaining congregation rebel. Aaron hastily atones for them.
Num 17.1-13; Story; Aarons staff budded indicating the LORD's approval of him.


Num 18.1-32; Law; Priesthood, Duties and contributions for the priests and levites
Num 19.1-22; Law; Cleanliness, Laws for purification and for the unclean
Num 20.1 Story; Moses' wife Miriam does
Num 20.2-13; Story-Sin; Moses strikes the rock at Meribah rather than tell it as instructed
Num 20.14-21; Story; Israel asks to pass through Edoms territory but the refuse
Num 20.22-29; Story; Aaron dies because they rebelled against the LORD’s command


Num 21.1-3; Story; Israel is defeated by Arad, makes a vow to the LORD and then destroys the Canaanites
Num 21.4-9; Story-Sin; Israel grumbled against the LORD and Moses, the LORD sends serpents, the LORD commands Moses to raise up a serpent, so looking at it Israel will be healed
Num 21.10-20; Story; Israel moved around various places. The LORD gives them water.
Num 21.21-30; Story; The Amorites fight against Israel and lose. Israel sings about it.
Num 21.31-35; Story; The king of Bashan attacks Israel and loses.

Num 22.1-6; Story; Balak king of Moab Summons Balaam to curse Israel
Num 22.7-14; Story; Balaks first attempt, Balaam consults the LORD with Balaks request
Num 22.15-21; Story; Balaks second attempt, offers Balaam gold, the LORD forbids Balaam to curse
Num 22.22-35; Story; Balaam follows Balak without the LORD's direction pursuing gold and has a conversation with his donkey who is protecting him from an angel.
Num 22.36-41; Story; Balaam meets with Balak saying he can only speak the LORD's words.


Num 23.1-12; Story; Balaam's first oracle blessing Israel. Balak spits the dummy at Balaam.
Num 23.13-26; Story; Balaam's second oracle blessing Israel. Balak tells Balaam to shut up.
Num 23.27-24.13; Story; Balaam tries to run away, but the Spirit of the LORD comes on him giving the third oracle blessing Israel. Balak threatens Balaam.
Num 24.14-25; Story; Balaam gives the final oracle blessing Israel and predicting the defeat of her enemies.

Num 25.1-9; Story-Sin; Israel hooks up with foreign women and worships their gods. The LORD sends a plague in punishment. Phinehas kills a couple having sex in the tent of meeting with one strike, thus atoning for Israel’s sin. The plague stopped.
Num 25.10-18; Story; Phinehas is commended as righteous with a covenant of peace. The offending couple are named and shamed.


Num 26.1-51; Story; Second Census of Israel, previous generation died out
Num 26.52-65; Story; Division of the land, numbering the levites, none of past generation entered with exceptions
Num 27.1-11; Law; Amendment to inheritance laws concerning a lack of immediate male descendant
Num 27.12-23; Story; Moses sees the promised land, Joshua is commissioned a next leader


Num 28.1-8; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Daily food (burnt) and drink offerings
Num 28.9-10; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Sabbath offerings
Num 28.11-15; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Monthly offerings
Num 28.16-25; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Passover (feast of unleavened bread) offerings
Num 28.26-31; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Feast of weeks offerings
Num 29.1-6; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Feast of trumpets offerings
Num 29.7-11; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Day of Atonement offerings
Num 29.12-38; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Feast of booths offerings
Num 29.39-40; Law; Worship and sacrifice; Summary statement, Moses exhorts
Num 30.1-16; Law; Vows,
Men (30.1-2),
Women under fathers care (30.3-5),
Women under husbands care (30.6-15),
Summary statement (30.16)


Num 31.1-12; Story; The LORD commands Moses to send Israel’s armed men and destroy the Midianites
Num 31.13-20; Story; The warriors bring back the women and children. Because of Peor, Moses commands they kill all the women and children except the virgin girls. The warriors are to remain outside the camp and purify themselves.
Num 31.21-47; Story; Dividing up the plunder from the battle
Num 31.48-54; Story; None of the warriors were killed in the battle. They all presented contributions to the LORD.
Num 32.1-5; Story; The tribe of Reuben asks that the land before the Jordan be given them as their possession.
Num 32.6-15; Story; Moses recounts what happened when Israel initially refused to enter the promised land
Num 32.16-42; Story; The tribe of Reuben agree they will go into the promised land to fight with the rest of Israel.


Num 33.1-2; Story; Moses recounting Israel’s journey and the places they have been to
Num 33.3-4; Story; Recounting - Deliverance from Egyptian slavery
Num 33.5-10; Story; Recounting - Rameses to the Red Sea
Num 33.11; Story; Recounting - Red Sea to the Wilderness of Sin
Num 33.12-15; Story; Recounting - Wilderness of Sin to the Wilderness of Sinai
Num 33.16-37; Story; Recounting - Wilderness of Sinai to Mount Hor
Num 33.38-40; Story; Recounting - The Death of Aaron
Num 33.41-49; Story; Recounting - Mount Hor to the Jordan river near Jericho
Num 33.50-56; Story; The LORD gives instructions for Moses concerning taking the promised land
Num 34.1-15; Story; The LORD sets the boundaries for the promised land
Num 34.16-29; Story; The LORD names the leaders of the tribes who will further divide up the inheritance


Num 35.1-8; Story; The LORD allocates cities for the levites including cities of refuge
Num 35.9-15; Law; Cities of refuge (places where offenders may find refuge for having their case judged)
Num 35.16-21; Law; Definitions for murder and the punishment (death)
Num 35.22-29; Law; Definition for manslayer and avenger of blood, term of punishment specified
Num 35.30-34; Law; Punishments and for murder and manslaughter
Num 36.1-12; Law; Property, Instructions prohibiting the transfer of property into other families
Num 36.13; Story; Summary statement concerning the rules the LORD commanded through Moses