King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, March 06, 2026
Chapters: Numbers 25-27
Message: Numbers: Joshua Succeeds Moses
Hello My Friend,
After all that we had read about yesterday and how no curse could be cast upon Israel because God was with them, ans they had not done anything to merit a curse, we learn that they did the unthinkable. As we continue in the reading of Numbers, while still camped in Moab, some of the people not only associated themselves with Moabites, they literally participated in their giving sacrifices to their god.
[Numbers 25:1-5 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.]
Think about it. Israel’s own sin accomplished what all of Balaam’s enchantments could not: it turned their hearts against God. And these were not ordinary people; they were the leaders of their tribes. After everything they had witnessed over the past thirty‑eight years, they should have known better. Yet they were not only guilty of idolatry themselves, they openly encouraged others to join them. One Israelite even went so far as to commit the unthinkable by setting up a tent in full view of the Tabernacle.
[Numbers 25:6-9 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.]
His name was Zimri, and he set up a tent directly facing the Tabernacle and used this woman as a prostitute. He chose a spot within clear view of the very house of God, as if declaring to God that he was not one bit ashamed. The people were weeping, not out of repentance, but because of the STD’s that had struck them and was spreading rapidly. When Phinehas saw Zimri enter the tent with this woman, righteous anger rose within him. He took a javelin and struck them down in the midst of their sin, stopping the plague. God saw what Phinehas did as a great act of faithfulness to Him and praised him for putting an end to the sin, and the plague that pretty much killed off all the elders that were left among the congregation.
[Numbers 25:11-13 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.]
While God certainly does not call us to kill those who lead His people into sin or into the worship of false gods, He does warn us to remove their influence from our lives. If we allow them to remain close, their corruption will bring unnecessary pain, and in some cases even lead to destruction, [II Corinthians 6:15-18 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.]
This is basically the same thing that God tells Israel to do after the names of the two who were killed in the tent were revealed, [Numbers 25:14-18 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. 15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.]
While Moab was guilty of seeking the help of the Midianites to curse Israel, the Midianites were guilty of even more. They not only assisted Balaam in his attempt to curse God’s people, they also enticed Israel into idolatry and fornication. Now, with only Moses, Caleb, and Joshua remaining from the elders who left Egypt, God calls for another census so they may know how many will cross into the promised land.
[Numbers 26:1-4 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. 3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 4 Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.]
The census was taken for two purposes: first, to give Israel an exact number so they would know how to divide the land once they crossed over; and second, to demonstrate the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise that once the last of the older generation had died, the people could finally enter the promised land. To show that God is not a respecter of persons, and that His salvation is not based on the family into which we are born, an account is given of the descendants of Korah as well.
[Numbers 26:5,8-11 Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: 8 And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. 9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: 10 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. 11 Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.]
It was Korah and those who followed him who were swallowed up in the earthquake when they rebelled. This stands as a clear reminder that each of us is responsible for our own soul. Yes, there are times when people suffer because of the sins of others, but ultimately we alone determine where our soul will spend eternity. Those who end up in hell do so because they either rebelled against God or chose another path in an attempt to reach Him, and failed—for there is only one way to God, [John 6:44-45 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.]
Yes, even the people of old who never heard the name of Jesus Christ believed that He was coming, and that He would come through one of their own families. That simple faith was all God required to save their souls. Now, to show that this promise extended to every believer all the way back to their fathers, an account is given of Judah and his unusual family line.
[Numbers 26:19-22 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites. 21 And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22 These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.]
The account of Judah’s descendants, reaching all the way back to Er and Onan, who died under God’s judgment, is given for a specific purpose beyond simply showing that Jesus would come from this tribe, and in particular through Pharez, [Matthew 1:2-3 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;]
Now, the count is given of all who is left except Joshua and Caleb, [Numbers 26:51-53,55-56,64-65 These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. 52 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 53 Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56 According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few. 64 But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.]
Compare that number to the first census taken thirty‑eight years earlier, which recorded six hundred three thousand five hundred and fifty men. The new total shows a decrease of one thousand eight hundred and twenty. God’s people will continue to diminish in number until the very last soul who will receive Christ is saved, [II Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.]
After the census, Moses gave instructions that once they entered the promised land, the land would be divided according to the number of people in each tribe. It was at this moment that the daughters of Manasseh came before Moses, interestingly enough Manasseh had no sons, only five daughters.
[Numbers 27:1-4 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.]
In other words, they wanted to know why they should lose their inheritance simply because their father died in his sin and left no sons. Each of us is responsible for our own sin, whether we were enticed into it or not. As long as we have not believed in Christ in vain, God is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sin, and He will even help us rise out of it when we stumble. Yes, we must continue to confess our sin after we are saved, not to keep our salvation, but to keep our fellowship with God strong and our hearts faithful to Him. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God repeatedly affirms that no one is denied a share in His inheritance because of the sins of others, and He confirms this truth again in His response to these daughters.
[Numbers 27:7-11 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.]
This is actually the very rule that would keep Judah’s lineage from losing their inheritance when his descendants needed a kinsman redeemer. It is a reminder that although women are often looked down upon as the “weaker” gender, they are just as precious to God as men are, [Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.]
We must understand that our salvation is never on the line. As long as we have not believed in Christ in vain, we will never lose our inheritance in the Kingdom of God. That does not mean, however, that God will not deny us earthly blessings when we walk in disobedience. After these matters were settled, God sent Moses up to Mount Abarim, a cluster of mountains joined together, and specifically to the very top of Mount Pisgah. It was there that God reminded him that this was the end of his earthly journey.
[Numbers 27:12-17 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 15 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, 16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.]
Moses was far more concerned about there being someone to guide and instruct the people than he was about where he himself was going. He already knew his destination, but he did not want to leave without knowing that a faithful successor would shepherd Israel after him. Though Moses was forbidden from entering the land promised to Israel, he was not denied entrance into the land he had inherited from his Father. How do we know this? Moses appeared during the transfiguration of Jesus, standing in the very land he once longed to see.
[Mark 9:2-4 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.]
Moses was able to see every inch of the beautiful land, but he was not allowed to enter it. He was reminded once more of the reason he had been forbidden, and though surely disappointed, he also knew that a far better place awaited him. His concern was not for himself, but for the people he would soon leave behind. He wanted to be certain that someone would lead them after his departure. It was then that God appointed Joshua to succeed him.
[Numbers 27:18-21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.]
Joshua went from being a mere servant to becoming the leader of God’s people. First of all notice that God said that he has His Spirit. God does not look for human qualifications before He uses someone; He looks for those who receive Him, the qualifies faithful servants who are willing to do whatever He asks. Then, in His perfect timing, He is the One who qualifies them, [John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for making the way to the promise land simple, only by our faith and trust in Your Son are we saved. It is truly a journey as we walk the path You take us, and we will face lots of plagues and famines along the way, sometimes by our own doing. The trials and temptations we endure now will be all worth it when we get to receive our eternal inheritance. Lord, lead us and guide us as we travel this earth until You come and get us, keep us reminded of Your promise and let us be a walking, talking testimony of Your Son in our lives. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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