Numbers 26-27 & Acts 22

In previously discussing Numbers, I mentioned that some commentators split the book into two sections, 1-25 and then 26-36. These two sections are set off by census taken by Moses to prepare the men of Israel for battle. In Numbers 26, we encounter this second census. The previous census taken in the first chapter had about  603,000 while this one numbers 601,000 with the only people who appear in both are Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who believed that Israel should invade the Promised Land previously. Moses is not listed in this new census because he will not enter into the Promised Land. What we are being told here is that the old generation has died, and the new generation is ready to move forward.

While the census is needed for military reasons, it is also needed so that Israel knows how to divide the land among the twelve tribes after the conquest of the land.

So after hearing how the land will be divided, an issue arises? What about those who were faithful during the wanderings, but perished leaving behind daughters who cannot inherit? Such was the case that the daughters of Zelophehad raise in Numbers 27 and God shows flexibility so that fathers who have no sons can pass property and land to his daughters.

Finally at the end of the chapter, Joshua is chosen as the new leader of Israel. It is he that shall bring the people into the Promised Land.

Acts 22

Paul opens his defense by retracing his roots. Paul is not just Jew, he was and is a Pharisee and was trained by Gemaliel, who was a highly respected Jewish teacher. Paul seeks to demonstrate that he is legitimate and that it is God who is behind all of this, it is not a personal attempt to gain notoriety or personal gain.

While it seems the crowd began as being receptive, they turn on Paul and he is eventually arrested by the Roman authorities who begin to beat him. Well, that is until Paul informs the centurion that he is a Roman citizen. Did I mention that beating a Roman citizen without cause or a trial is a no no? Now Paul will be tried upon the standards of the Roman system and the Jewish system.