Books of the Bible--Leviticus, Numbers, and Dueteronomy

From the middle of Exodus to the end of Deuteronomy there's a lot more detail added in so it doesn't read quite like a storybook anymore. There are a lot of good stories but many places also that sometimes bog you down. The second half of Exodus describes in detail God's plan for the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings then goes into the creating of those items in all their detail.

Leviticus explains the establishment of the priesthood and God's instructions for  maintaining a life separate from  the way the other nations around them lived. To explain these guidelines it lists many laws and the penalties for breaking them. It explains the feasts and festivals that God designed so that we could celebrate.

Numbers chronicles the journey through the wilderness which lasted 40 years due to the disobedience of the people.  This book also can be a bit tedious because there's a lot of numerology and laws reviewed some in even more detail. Two interesting stories come to mind on the Book of Numbers.

• The story of the 12 Spies who found the land of Canaan to be wonderful and productive but full of fortified cities and giant races of men. The people listened to the ten spies who said it couldn't be done so God decided they weren't ready to enter yet and turned them back into the wilderness until the younger generation who believed and trusted in Him would be ready to take on the task. 
• The second story is the one of Balaam who was tempted from a bribe to call curses down upon Israel although he was a prophet of Israel. He was riding to meet with the foreign King when an angel blocked his path but he was so blinded by his own mindset that he couldn't see it. However his donkey did, and tried to stop. After being beaten by Balaam the donkey actually began to talk to him in a human voice and brought Balaam to his senses.

Deuteronomy is the last book that Moses wrote. It is written near the end of his life when his death is imminent. All of the generation that had been ready to go into the promised land at the beginning had now died. So Moses reminds the current generation of the laws encourages them to choose obedience. It's a review and an explanation of the law, calling them to remember their Covenant with God and to renew their allegiance to Him. Moses wants their conquest of Canaan to be successful. Deuteronomy also recounts the appointing of Joshua as his successor.

Favorite verses are
Numbers 6:24-26 -- The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live.