Numbers 7:89
“When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with GOD, he heard the Voice speaking to him from between the two angel-cherubim above the Atonement-Cover on the Chest of The Testimony. He spoke with him.”
“Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The LORD spoke to him from there.”
I wonder, was Moses afraid each time he went to speak to God? The late bronze age part of him must have been. Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke face to face with God, as with a friend, yet he knew of God’s awe-inspiring attributes. God is such that all of us find ourselves down on our face before him. Yet Moses was enabled to stand and converse with him. I am amazed this verse had led me to the tender heart of God. God enabled Moses to stand in his presence because the work demanded it. This was possible because of the work of Christ on the cross. It reaches both forward and backward into time.
Lord, you are worth knowing and imminently loveable!
Numbers 7:1
“When Moses finished setting up The Dwelling, he anointed it and consecrated it along with all that went with it. At the same time he anointed and consecrated the Altar and its accessories.”
“On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy. He also anointed and set apart all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils.”
It is easy to read over this lightly. All the ceremony in the Pentateuch is fatiguing and we breeze past it. But it was utterly serious business for Moses. He was the one who survived a conversation with God lasting forty days. He knew this God who had taken them out of Egypt was no one to mess with. Consecration ritual was a physical acknowledgement of a spiritual reality. God is holy. It is the first thing we need to learn about him. Otherwise, there is no awareness of sin and no need for a savior.
Lord Jesus, thank you facing and enduring the cross, finishing the work of redemption. Thank you for doing it for me, because I need it. I need you.
Numbers 6:21-23
“GOD spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them, GOD bless you and keep you, GOD smile on you and gift you, GOD look you full in the face and make you prosper. In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel— I will confirm it by blessing them.””
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.””
It is interesting most all non-believers, freely receive general blessings and respond with thanks. When I bless, it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, though I don’t say so. According to these verses it places God’s name upon them. And God confirms it by blessing them. Those I bless may eventually throw God’s name off, but my blessing assures it will remain on them and guides them into truth until they do.
Lord, understanding this I will be bolder with my blessings and offer them more often. Thank you!
Numbers 6:1-21
The word Nazarite comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning consecrated or separated. This ritual is a way for those so inclined to grow draw near to God as they go about everyday life. It is a wonderful provision for Israelites who hunger for more of God. The Law’s Instructions for ritual in all the Pentateuch build the Israelites understanding of this God who brought them out of Egypt. They are learning how to live together and of their God’s holiness, his otherness. Ritual is his visual aid.
Numbers 5:30-31
“The priest is to have her stand in the presence of GOD and go through this entire procedure with her. The husband will be cleared of wrong, but the woman will pay for her wrong.””
“…the husband must present his wife before the Lord, and the priest will apply this entire ritual law to her. The husband will be innocent of any guilt in this matter, but his wife will be held accountable for her sin.”
Husband and wife stand in the presence of God in this judgement by ordeal. They are in the court of ultimate authority with no escape. God knows who did what. Interestingly the priest is to walk with the woman throughout. What a comfort for the wrongly accused! Sexual infidelity by either partner destroys children and families thus God’s commands against it. Strong families provide security and a framework for cultural development. He makes sure we notice the seriousness of infidelity.
Numbers 5
This chapter gives lengthy and specific instruction for dealing with suspected infidelity. It brings the sin of infidelity on the woman’s part or jealousy on the man’s out into the open, the first step in healing. The ancients often looked to trial by ordeal to determine guilt. In the Enlightenment we gave up our relationship with the mystical in favor or scientific method. So, this kind of trial seems ridiculous, especially when the ordeal is extreme. The spirit and material world were more intertwined in the ancient mind and God gave instruction they understood and could believe in. Now modern research is discovering the power of the mind this seems less anachronistic.
Why is the woman the only one to undergo trial and bear consequences of infidelity? Her husband and lover are of no concern. This double standard spans the ages. Is it a consequence of Eve tempting Adam? The suffering of all earth’s women is certainly commensurate with the destruction Eve brought into the world through her rebellion. Christ says marriage does not exist in eternity. (Luke 20:35) He will put the double standard to rest and judge accordingly.
I look forward to it! Lord Jesus, come quickly!
Numbers 4
Chapter 4 details instructions for moving the tabernacle. The Levite clan of Kohath did the work. Aaron and his sons administrated. Each man had his own instruction of what to carry. Though God gave these instructions for the entire clan, he saw the individuals among them. He is a personal God.
Twice the priests are told to protect the Kohathites from accidental exposure to the holy items. Such exposure would have meant instant death. God’s expressions of his holiness through the sacred furnishings of the temple taught Israel about an essential part of his nature. It was not to revel in slaying those who got too close. It was necessary to reveal himself to a bronze age culture in love and holiness.
Lord, I am amazed by this. Thank you for showing me!
Numbers 3:49
“ So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites.”
“So Moses collected the silver for redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites.”
Every single firstborn in Israel was accounted for. God knew every one of them and counted each worth calling to himself. As he did for Israel, he does for all mankind, because he loves us.
Numbers 3:40-41
“GOD spoke to Moses: “Count all the firstborn males of the People of Israel who are one month and older. List their names. Then set apart for me the Levites—remember, I am GOD—in place of all the firstborn among the People of Israel, also the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. I am GOD.””
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now count all the firstborn sons in Israel who are one month old or older, and make a list of their names. The Levites’ must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel; I am the Lord. And the Levites’ livestock must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the whole nations of Israel.””
The Lord, twice in this passage, reminds Moses and Israel, “I am God,” so it requires special attention. In Egypt God protected Israel from the plague of the firstborn. He introduced redemption into Israel’s story before he gave the Law. God is first a redeemer. He gave the law to show us our need for redemption, our need for him. In reserving the firstborn for himself he calls individuals who are part of families and tribes. He shows himself personable and intimate. At first reading God seems a distant authoritarian. Using scripture to interpret scripture this other picture emerges and is it beautiful.
Numbers 3:38
“Anyone else who tried to perform these duties was to be put to death.”
“Anyone other than a priest or Levite who went too near the sanctuary was to be put to death.”
Chapter 3 contains God’s direction for calling of the priests and Levites. They are very specific. In this early shaping of a nation God is rigid in his instructions. We are too, when raising children. Immaturity requires boundaries. Boundaries relax with increasing self-control. And so, our gentle, lowly and good God, who John says is love, presents at first as the stern authoritarian Israel needs in its infancy. He is shaping the heart and soul of a nation and leaves nothing to chance. Sounds just like a mother of young children.
Lord, thank you for being my mom and dad. You are both the hedge round about me and the encouragement I need to take another step. I love you.
Numbers 2
In Chapter 2 the meaning of this book’s name becomes obvious. It is the numbering of Israelite warriors clan by clan (600,000 strong) and the Levite class. There follows a plan for organization of the camp. Numbers is a place to rest in God’s plan. I don’t often think of God as practical, but Numbers shows me he is. Everything we need to navigate life is found in him. The endless hours I’ve spent on the tasks of living are validated by the practicality of Numbers. God knows the tyranny of their urgency.
Thank you, Lord, for carrying me along in my faith when physical demands overwhelmed me and there was little time for you. It comforts me that you grew up in a busy family. You understand the press of daily life. I feel comforted, not condemned.
Numbers 1:2-4
“He said, “Number the congregation of the People of Israel by clans and families, writing down the names of every male. You and Aaron are to register, company by company, every man who is twenty years and older who is able to fight in the army. Pick one man from each tribe who is head of his family to help you.”
“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops and you will be assisted by one family leader from each tribe.”
Numbers is about how we organize ourselves and our relationships. Throwing all our options and information of the table is the first step. God’s perfect purpose is somewhere in the mess. We must listen to God say where to begin. Our intuition may not jive with his instructions. Right away we come up against our biggest problem, laying down our self and trusting God. It is the work of every moment in our life.
Lord, I always want to begin by listening to you. Help me hear and obey. Remove the veil of stress. Give sticking power, making time to hear you.