In today’s reading, Israel commits whoredom and idolatry while dwelling in the region of Shittim, and again the anger of the LORD is kindled. Phinehas in his zeal averts a plague from the LORD by executing two of the offenders, one an Israelite, and the other a Midianite, and the LORD blesses him for it. The LORD then orders a second census of the people, numbering the tribes and establishes the division of the land by tribes. A matter of inheritance is decided when a family has no sons, and the LORD gives Moses a view of the promised land, though he would not pass in to inherit it because of the breach he made at Meribah. Moses beseeches the LORD for a successor to replace him so the Israelites would not become “as sheep which have no shepherd”, and the LORD appoints Joshua.

Into/Outro music: "Unexpectedly" (c) 1995 Alex Grant Used by permission