Numbers 36 Questions arise again about what happens to the land of the daughters of Zelophehad if they marry outside their tribe. The goal is to keep the tribal inheritance within the clans of the tribe. There is reference to the jubilee principle, which was designed to "reset" to the original every fifty years the property holdings of any families who had to sell them to pay debts. The solution was for these women to marry within their tribe.
And so the Book of Numbers ends. What do you think?
Psalm 52 This is one of the psalms that makes us aware of how challenging it is to control the tongue; and how much damage lies, deceit and cruel words can do.
The psalmist is confident that those who have felt the pain of the razor-sharp tongues of their enemies, spreading lies, don't escape God's oversight. God notices and cares.
There is also a characteristic reference to the dangers of wealth:
52:6: The righteous will see, and fear,
and will laugh at the evildoer, saying,
"See the one who would not take refuge in God,
but trusted in abundant riches
and sought refuge in wealth."
Romans 13 This is the chapter that is the source for much of John Calvin's view of the state as God's tool. I would like to see how the Mennonites and other Anabaptist groups of the radical reformation read and interpret Romans 13.
Paul summarizes: "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (13:8).
And he makes reference to the coming of the Lord, which he believes is near. "Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (13:11-13). This is a passage that we often read in Advent.
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