Justin Houtz

Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

DateVersionReading Plan
February 17, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Numbers 1-2

Observation & Interpretation

The Book of Numbers begins with a command by the LORD of Moses to take a census of the congregation of the people, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male twenty years and upward. The census “was taken to determine the number of fighting men in Israel so that they could organize Israel into a war camp with the tabernacle at the center.” (FSB). The people of Reuben were the first to be specified in the census and the rest (with the exception of the tribe of Levi) follow in similar pattern. The Levites were exempted from the census because they were appointed over the tabernacle of testimony. The FSB explains the reasoning well:

Without the integrity of the tabernacle—which enables Yahweh to live among the people—Israel would not succeed in war. In this way, the Levite’s guardianship of the tabernacle is a form of military service in that it ensures Yahweh’s protection for Israel’s soldiers.

The dedication of the Levites for temple responsibilities showcases the centrality of God among the Israelites. The LORD was at the heart of their entire way of life collectively and was to be the primary focus for devotion for every person individually. In a similar way, believers in Christ are to live in such a way that reflects God as the Fountainhead of all manner of faith and life.

In chapter two, we read of how the Israelite tribes were to be arranged when encamped as well as how they were set out in travel through the wilderness. Again, we see the importance of God’s dwelling place among the people in the Levites’ physical position at the center of the encampment and during times of movement. Between the census of chapter one and camp arrangement of chapter two, there emerges a strong theme of the LORD’s utmost importance and one that we should take in principally in the way that we live for God.

Acts 24

Observation & Interpretation

It is remarkable to see how things came about such that Paul, in his defense against the accusations of Ananias, Turtullus and the elders, was given audience with Felix and an opportunity to convey gospel truths. From this, we should see how even in the midst of difficult or oppressive circumstances, that we can leverage these times to share the gospel and make a defense for the hope we have within us.

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