V14-25 – When we come to genealogies, there is a temptation to pass over them but it’s important to always remember that this is still part of God’s Holy word, given to us for our direction and for accomplishing his great purposes in us.
There are a number of things that I see in these verses as they explain some of the descendants of Israel.
FIRST
First, there is an obvious distinction between the descendants of the Levites and the rest of Israel clans mentioned here. The Levites were the priests and they were set apart for service to the Lord. As such, the Lord had said that He would be their inheritance. All these descendants of Aaron as explained here would inherit the Lord. What an awesome privilege!!
Out of all the Israelites, the Levites had the best inheritance, the Lord!
Deuteronomy 18:1-2 NIV – The Levitical priests—indeed, the whole tribe of Levi—are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the Lord, for that is their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.
Having being made a holy priesthood unto the Lord then, our inheritance is also the Lord. Our inheritance is not earthly, it is heavenly. A lack of understanding of this, or forgetfulness concerning this, can easily lead us to have desires that are contrary to God’s design. When we don’t understand this, we start craving the world yet concerning life in this world, the Lord has said that He will provide for our every need.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
SECOND
The number of clans/descendants that a person gets is not fixed, it varies per individual. God gives children and descendants according to his wisdom. For example, Reuben has 4 sons, while Simeon has 6. Aaron had 3 sons, while his son, Merari, has 2. This designation belongs to the Lord, it’s not for us.
Psalm 127:3 NIV – Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
It is really not up to you how many children you can or will have. The Lord decides these things in his wisdom. Every human being belongs to the Lord and therefore, parents receive children as gifts from God. They become custodians and keepers of God’s work. Having this perspective greatly changes our understanding in parenting and in thinking about children.
Can we be careless keepers or custodians? No.
May the Lord help us to diligently guard and keep his gift(s) to us.
THIRD
The age of some of these people is mentioned. It is also random. Levi lives to be 137, Amram – 137, and Kohath – 133 yrs. old. It is also all God’s doing, it’s not man who decides how long anyone lives. And so, human beings are also custodians of life. God puts life in me and you and therefore, we need to be careful how we live. The Lord can decide to take his life out of a person and there is nothing that person will do.
Let us carefully walk each step in life, thinking about the Lord who gives the life and who purposed for us to be here at this time.
V26-30 – The Bible notes that Moses argues with the Lord yet it was God’s command to him and Aaron that they go and speak to Pharaoh.
The kind of arguing that Moses does is inward looking. He looked at himself as a clumsy speaker, and as inferior and wondered how He could speak to Pharaoh.
But you see, here is the contrast, from what we have seen above. It is God who gives life and decides where we are to be at different points in time. It then means that He has placed us here for reason known to Him. Clearly, God had the purpose of using Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt but here Moses argues. He does not seem to understand that part of the reason God had created and given him life was for this purpose.
And thus, Moses argued with God his creator.
When the Lord calls to us, we often fall in this place where we forget his ultimate power over our lives, We forget that He is our maker, our creator and that He has the right to do with us whatever He wants. We argue with him yet He created us for his glory.
Isaiah 45:9 NIV – Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?
Isaiah 45:11 NIV – This is what the Lord says— the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?
This is our reminder and may we not forget. He is the potter, we are the clay. He does what He wants with us. He orders and we obey, not the other way round. There is no use arguing with Him. When He speaks, this is how we respond:
Luke 17:10 NIV – So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty. ‘ ”
Luke 1:38 KJV – And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Remember, the Lord is good and there is no evil in Him, He is not a harsh and cruel master. He is good and his purposes are good toward us. When He commands, it is also for our good. Whatever He decides for our life is best!
PSALMS 32: 8-9 NLT – The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
There is no use arguing against the Creator!