Deuteronomy 3

It looks like today's reading wrapped up the recent history of Israel, and brought us up to the current situation with Israel on the verge of passing into the Promised Land. Here are a couple interesting things that I did note in this chapter, though:

- It sounds like one of the kings that Israel defeated before crossing the Jordan was a giant - a 'Rephaite', which from earlier reading seems to be a people group related to the Nephilim. I wonder if his casket, the size of which is quite large apparently, has ever been found by archaeologists.

- Moses asked God to lift the ban on his entry into the land, but God did not change His mind. This is a good example of how one poor decision can affect the rest of our lives, and I'm sure Moses regretted his action. Oddly, though, in this chapter and the preceding ones he blamed the Israelites... and sure, he wouldn't have done what he did if it were not for them, but still it was his decision to disobey God.

Numbers 13

Today's chapter covers a classic story - the spies being sent in to scout out the Promised Land. Unfortunately, the majority of them were cowards and reported that the land would be too hard to take; so far we've only heard that Caleb spoke out in favor of going in and claiming the land God was giving to them. If I'm not mistaken we will see that Joshua, one of the other spies, will also side with Caleb (and God); but that is for a future chapter.

One of the reasons given by the rest of the spies for not invading was that descendants of the Nephilim were there - presumably giants, from the description they gave. That, in tandem with another reference in Genesis, has always interested me; furthermore, they are called here the "sons of Anak". I think later books will tie this name in again with Goliath, which fits with the idea that they were giants (as he was). If they were accurate in their description of these as real Nephilim, then it indicates that that race existed both before and after the flood - again fitting with the lines in Genesis 6.

Genesis 6

This chapter contains the prelude to the Flood, and right before it an interesting reference to "the heroes of old". They are given the name of Nephilim here, and while the name doesn't really bring much with it the description does. The idea of "sons of God" marrying daughters of men could be a simple reference to humans, but if that was the case then why the special name? And what would have set them apart as men of renown compared to others? No - there must be something else here. I think that these were angels who left their proper station and because of their actions brought forth quite powerful men. It is actually mirrored in the Greek account of Hercules, and would go a long way to explaining many of the myths of the ancient world. Goliath, the giant who David slays, may have been descended from such a bloodline; after all, this passage said that they were on earth in those days (before the Flood, presumably) and also afterward.

The main focus of this chapter is on Noah, though, and the preparations God instructed him to make for the impending judgement. It is noteworthy that Noah "walked with God" - the same phrase that is used of Enoch in Genesis 5. It must have taken a lot of faith in order to go building a boat like the ark, presumably a long distance from any major body of water. I suspect that Noah went through a lot of ridicule from his contemporaries for that, and I don't know how well I'd have stood up to something like that... but "thus Noah did".

This chapter in:
New America Standard, New King James, New International