In today’s reading, Israel departs from the Sinai wilderness toward the promised land, and the people ungratefully complain about their diet. The LORD in His wrath sends quails and a plague, causing many to die. Miriam and Aaron later speak against Moses, and the LORD answers them with a severe rebuke. Twelve spies are dispatched to gather intelligence about the promised land and its inhabitants, ten of whom return a faithless report of Israel’s military inferiority, and their inability to take the land, causing the people to lose faith and disbelieve. Caleb and Joshua alone of the twelve spies stand firm in the LORD’s promise, and all Israel is turned back by the commandment of God to wander in the wilderness until the faithless elder generations die off, leaving their sons and daughters to come in and take the land.

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

In today’s reading, the LORD gives the law of the Nazarite vow, and a blessing upon His people, Israel. The altar of the tabernacle is dedicated, with abundant offerings and sacrifices given by the heads of each of the tribes: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. Aaron lights the gold candlestick of the tabernacle, and Moses purifies the Levites and separates them from the rest of Israel to serve the LORD. The LORD commands again the keeping of the Passover at the appointed time, and signals the movement of the whole camp of Israel by His guiding cloud upon the tabernacle.

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

As we begin the book of Numbers, the LORD orders a census of the people, and accounts the tribes of Israel and their populations. He gives orders as to their encampment positions, and further sets the Levites apart by exempting them from the census as His own servants. The descendants of Aaron are assigned Service responsibilities according to their families, and the LORD gives commandments concerning the unclean, of recompense, and of wives suspected of adultery.

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

Today’s reading concludes the book of Leviticus; the LORD declares jubilee years and gives commandments concerning them; also of the redeeming of possessions, the lending of money, and the redeeming of servants. He declares blessings for obedience, punishments for disobedience, and advises that even should they depart into great wickedness, and fall into the punishments the He warns them of, that should they turn again and confess and desire renewal, the LORD will remember His covenant with their ancestors. Leviticus concludes with commandments concerning things devoted to the LORD, and His permanent possession thereof.

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

In today’s reading, the LORD declares a litany of sins pertaining to idolatry, sexual pollution, sorcery, cursing one’s parents and blasphemy, to be capital offenses punishable by death or exile; following these declarations is the reiterated command to be holy, and a reminder that for all those sins were the indigenous nations of the promised land destroyed. After, the LORD gives further commandments concerning the priests and holy things, deformities, blemished animals, sabbaths, and the appointed feasts to be observed by all Israel.

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

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In today’s reading, the LORD gives the laws concerning uncleanness in both men and women, and describes in great detail the annual ceremony of atonement to be performed by the High Priest, including the use of the scapegoat. The LORD then gives laws about special sacrifices, and forbids unlawful sexual relations, including, but not limited to, incest, homosexuality, and bestiality, and describes such acts in no uncertain terms: abomination, confusion, defilement. He then issues a series of widely varied commandments concerning personal holiness and behavior, reinforcing a number of the Ten Commandments, and forbidding theft, abuse of the disabled, corrupt judgment, prostitution and sorcery, and commanding love for one’s neighbor and a willingness to rebuke to keep sin from his door.

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

In today’s reading, the LORD gives the laws of clean and unclean animals, purification after childbirth, and detailed laws about skin plagues, plagues in garments and dwellings, and their cleansing.

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

In today’s reading, the LORD continues instruction in the sacrifices: the burnt offerings, the sin and trespass offerings, and the peace offerings, and appoints the portions for the priests who offer them. Moses anoints the priests to begin their work as such, and the consecration of the priests is accomplished. But after all has begun so well, tragedy strikes in an act of disobedience as the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offer strange fire before the LORD and are destroyed for it. In this, Moses recognizes the meaning of the LORD’s words, “I will be sanctified in all that come nigh me…”, and, not without heart, urges Aaron and his remaining sons to keep their composure and fulfill their office. 

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

Today we begin in the book of Leviticus, or “That which pertains to the Levites”, the priests of Israel. In the first five chapters the LORD gives instructions for burnt offerings, meat offerings, peace offerings, trespass offerings, and the various sin offerings for priests, the congregation, rulers,  common men and women, and the poor. 

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

Bezaleel and his appointed craftsmen make the ark of the covenant, all the furnishings of the tabernacle, the court of the tabernacle, the garments of the priests, and the priest’s breastplate and robe. They present the finished work to Moses, who validates its faithfulness to the LORD’s design, and blesses them. 

Exodus concludes with the complete assembly of the tabernacle, after which the glory of the LORD fills it in a cloud by day, and in fire by night.

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