What is the role of human help when you're totally dependent on God?

Numbers 10:11-36 Israel Departs Mount Sinai

Day 49 of our so-called “stay in your homes unless you absolutely have to go out” isolation. That’s seven weeks folks. And still no word when all will be well. In fact, in our province, the two grocery stores we go to now (for an ‘absolutely need to reason’) insist on all customers wearing masks. Good thing I have some. In the meantime, I am enjoying my time studying Numbers with you. Looking forward to finally getting those Israelites to leave camp at the base of Mount Sinai and head out.  I wish we could do something like that these days.  Read on.

The Passage

Verses 11-13: Now it came about in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, that the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony; and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. So, they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the Lord through Moses.

Verses 14-28 give an account of each of the standards and how they moved out. In the midst of this is the record of the tabernacle being taken down (vs. 17).

Verses 29-36:

²⁹ Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out to the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you’; come with us and we will do you good, for the Lord has ^[a]promised good concerning Israel.” ³⁰ But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.” ³¹ Then he said, “Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will be as eyes for us. ³² So it will be, if you go with us, that ^[b]whatever good the Lord^[c]does for us, we will ^[d]do for you.”

³³ Thus they set out from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord journeying in front of them for the ^[e]three days, to seek out a resting place for them. ³⁴ The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

³⁵ Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said,
“Rise up, O Lord!
And let Your enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate You flee ^[f]before You”
³⁶ When it came to rest, he said,
“Return, O Lord,
To the myriad thousands of Israel.”

Footnotes

1. Numbers 10:29 Lit spoken
2. Numbers 10:32 Lit that good which
3. Numbers 10:32 Lit does good
4. Numbers 10:32 Lit do good
5. Numbers 10:33 Lit three days’ journey
6. Numbers 10:35 Or from Your presence

Thoughts on the Passage

This was a very precise date on which the camp first moved out after the tabernacle was erected for the first time. They moved from the foot of Sinai to Paran.

David Guzik talks about the sense of excitement that must have filled the entire assembly or congregation of the Israelites. All these preparations were completed. They had learned everything they had to do. He then writes:

One would be tempted to think that after such extensive preparation - a virtual transformation from slave people to Promised Land people - the actual entering into the Promised Land would be easy. This was not the case. The preparation was exactly that - preparation. Ahead of them are the greatest challenges, challenges that can only be met by faith. A soldier might think boot camp finishes something - but it doesn't. It only prepares for a greater challenge: The actual battle itself.

The highlight of the passage is an account of Moses who was married to Zipporah asking his father-in-law’s Hobab (also known as Reuel and Jethro), to continue on the journey with the Israelites rather than returning back to his own people. Hobab had brought Moses’ wife and sons to join them in the wilderness as they were not living with the Israelites in Egypt at the time of the exodus. They had stayed with her father. So Moses now entreated him to stay with the Israelites as they needed a good scout who knew the area and thus where they could camp at night. And Moses promised Hobab that the Israelites would bless him in whatever way God was blessing them.

At the same time, as Matthew Henry informs us – there is a disagreement as to whether Hobab was indeed Jethro or Reuel (also spelled Raguel). [And Robert Jamieson also supports this alternate possibility.] One school of thought has him as Jethro’s son (also a Reuel) and that Jethro had already returned to his land, or never came out with Zipporah and the Moses’ children. This is based on the number of years and the age that one assumes Jethro may have been. Also, it is said that the Hebrew word for father-in-law and son-in-law is very similar if not the same.

We have to understand that Hobab was a Midianite and the land of the Midianites was in the valley between Mount Sinai and Mount Paran. That is why Hobab had brought his daughter (or sister), and grandsons (or nephew), to Moses at that point of the journey. Chuck Smith says this:

He [Hobab] was able to track in the desert; he was able to tell them where the water was and he had that desert savvy, that desert knowledge. And so, Moses was really desiring that guy to stick with them because he really had all that desert savvy. And you can be as eyes for us, and all. And Moses was asking the fella to remain with him.

Now why would Moses need Hobab when God had provided the guidance of the cloud? I asked myself that very question when I read the passage. I thought that was an indication of non-dependence on God. Hey Moses, you know better. But then as I did my research, I came upon what David Guzik says on this very thing:

Moses was a wise enough leader to know his limitations, and to know that he needed help. Instead of just saying, “well, God got us this far and He’ll see us through without Reuel,” he knew God’s help often comes through men like Reuel. Though Israel was guided by God, there was still help needed by man – men like Reuel. God plans it this way, often arranging it so His help comes to us partially through people He has ordained to help us. Please do not leave: Since he knew God could use Reuel in a significant way, Moses was willing to appeal to him – and not take an initial “no” as an answer.

And Moses succeeded. So off they all took and travelled for three days following the cloud. But they were still in the wilderness. Matthew Henry says this about that:

Note, all our removals in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes which we think will be for the better do not always prove so; while we carry about with us, wherever we go, the common infirmities of human nature, we must expect, wherever we go, to meet with its common calamities; we shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, and all will be well there.

But Moses knew a secret with respect to how then he could manage through this reality. Verses 35 and 36 indicate who Moses would often praise the Lord when the ark was about to move out and when it was coming to rest. He praised God and he pleaded for God’s enemies to be scattered and that God would protect the Israelites as they camped. Guzik also has some wonderful thoughts on these two prayers of Moses:

The idea was simple: "God, go before us and take care of our enemies. It's too dangerous ahead unless You do so!" What a fitting prayer for every believer to pray! God has things before us, places to lead us - shouldn't we pray this same prayer?

ii. Isn't this a fitting prayer also by which to remember the glory and strength of our resurrected Lord? When Jesus rose up, were not all His enemies scattered? Who dared oppose Him? Is not all our victory found in His risen glory?

 Return, O LORD, to the many thousands of Israel: This was the prayer of Moses when God's presence stopped, and indicated a place to camp. Moses then prayed, "Here we camp, LORD. Stay with us."

i. God sometimes tells us to move on, sometimes tells us to "camp out" - either is fine when we are guided by His presence.

ii. "Will you and I go home and pray this prayer by ourselves, fervently laying hold upon the horns of God's altar? I charge you, my brethren in Christ, do not neglect this private duty. Go, each of you, to your chambers; shut to your doors; cry to him who hears in secret, and let this be the burden of your cry - 'Rise up, Lord; and let thine enemies be scattered.'" (Spurgeon)

In the words of Chuck Smith, I leave you with this:

We've got some many exciting adventures in the book of Numbers as we move ahead. I really like the book of Numbers. The first part is a little redundant in some of the numberings and all but now we're starting to get into some pretty exciting experiences as God begins to lead them toward the land that he had promised unto their fathers.

Hang in there folks and perhaps you may wish to share these studies with others. And please, feel free to ask me questions. Until we study together again.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Are you Ready to March at the Sound of the Trumpets?

Numbers Chapter 10: More Guidance as Israel Departs Mount Sinai

Numbers 10:1-10 The Guidance of the Silver Trumpets

One day we will wake up and find out that Covid-19 is not the biggest and often only piece of news, worthy of any airtime. I’m there already, especially since the coronavirus stats I follow have all gone in the right direction for five days in a row now. Don’t tell anyone but I am actually going out (again) today to visit friends.  There will be only five of us (seven the other day), but hey, we’ll keep our distance. Life is not what it used to be, but we’ll get through this – this thing we never really had to actually get “through” the way we did. We press on looking for more gems in the book of Numbers.  Thank you to those of you who are sharing our link so that others may join us in our study.  Read on. 

The Passage

10 The Lord spoke further to Moses, saying, ² “Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out. ³ When both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the doorway of the tent of meeting. ⁴ Yet if only one is blown, then the leaders, the heads of the ^[a]divisions of Israel, shall assemble before you. ⁵ But when you blow an alarm, the camps that are pitched on the east side shall set out. ⁶ When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are pitched on the south side shall set out; an alarm is to be blown for them to set out. ⁷ When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow without sounding an alarm. ⁸ The priestly sons of Aaron, moreover, shall blow the trumpets; and ^[b]this shall be for you a perpetual statute throughout your generations. ⁹ When you go to war in your land against the adversary who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God and be saved from your enemies. ¹⁰ Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed ^[c]feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God.”

Footnotes:

1. Numbers 10:4 Lit thousands; or clans
2. Numbers 10:8 Lit it
3. Numbers 10:10 Or times

Thoughts on the Passage

For this instruction God told Moses to make two trumpets of silver (likely from all that jewellery they had brought with them out of Egypt) to be used for calling the people together for a conference and for signalling for them to move camp. (One would assume the latter took place after the sentinels saw the cloud begin to move. If both trumpets were blown, the people were to gather as close to the tabernacle as possible. When one was blown, only the leaders needed to show up.

But what exactly is an “alarm”? When the “alarm” is blown once certain camps (those pitched on the east side of the tabernacle, start to move out. When the “alarm” is blown a second time, those on the south side set out.  No reference is made to how the camps that are on the north and west are to know when to set out. David Guzik says this quoting another commentator:

"If we follow Jewish tradition, long blasts were used to assemble the people to Moses, to the tent of meeting and for worship. Short staccato blasts were used in battle and to order the camps to move off." (Wenham)

If we accept that interpretation, the “alarm” type of blowing then was the short staccato blasts. So, one trumpet sounding a long blast for all the leaders to come and meet Moses. Both trumpets sounding a long blast for all the people to come and gather together. First alarm (short blasts), the camps on the east side move out. Second alarm, the camps on the south move out. [But still no answer to what about the others who were camped on the west and the north (see Numbers 2:18-31)].

So, Robert Jamieson comes to answer that question of ours when he writes:

“. . . and, though it is not in our present Hebrew text, the Septuagint has, that on three alarms being sounded, those on the west; while on four blasts, those on the north decamped. Thus, the greatest order and discipline were established in the Israelitish camp--no military march could be better regulated.”

Clearly it is the “priestly sons of Aaron” who do the blowing. And this act is to be a perpetual statute for all future generations of Israel (verse 8). It was to be used when going out to war against enemies that attack them (verse 9) in order that they would be “remembered before the Lord” and be saved from their enemies.

But the blowing of trumpets was also to be done on days of gladness and on the appointed feast days, and the first days of each month, over burnt offerings, and over sacrifices of peace offerings. This was to be a “reminder of you before your God”. And God ends this short passage by again saying basically because “I am the Lord your God” and don’t you forget it.

David Guzik also reminds us that God will use the sound of a trumpet to gather His people for the ultimate assembling together - the rapture of the church, to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Can you imagine the excitement when finally, the cloud began to move, and trumpets started to play short staccato blasts – God was moving his people out and taking them towards the Promised Land. I can hardly wait until I hear the trumpets playing and we are still left on earth are taken to meet the Lord in the air and on to our Promised Land. Will you hear them with me?  I hope so.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

A Closer Look at "Godly Guidance via a Cloud"

Numbers 9:15-23 The Guidance of the Cloud

Our province continues to be in a lockdown for the most part. Although people across the country and around the world are starting to retake their freedom. It’s just a matter of time before we get it all back. What is scarier is the thought of what happens with the next virus or pandemic now that they have got us used to living like prisoners in our own homes. But this morning I rejoice in the fact that “God’s got this!”.  A friend of mine sent me this short reminder from Romans 11:33-36:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

What a comfort that was and is to me this morning. So, we press on learning more about how we should live using the teachings of God to the Israelites in the desert. 

The Passage

¹⁵ Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening, it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. ¹⁶ So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. ¹⁷ Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp.¹⁸ At the ^[a]command of the Lord the sons of Israel would set out, and at the ^[b]command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. ¹⁹ Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, ^[c]the sons of Israel would keep the Lord’s charge and not set out. ²⁰ If ^[d]sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the ^[e]command of the Lord they remained camped. Then according to the ^[f]command of the Lord they set out. ²¹ If ^[g]sometimes the cloud ^[h]remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out. ²² Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. ²³ At the ^[i]command of the Lord they camped, and at the ^[j]command of the Lord they set out; they kept the Lord’s charge, according to the ^[k]command of the Lord through Moses.

Footnotes:

1. Numbers 9:18 Lit mouth
2. Numbers 9:18 Lit mouth
3. Numbers 9:19 Lit and the
4. Numbers 9:20 Lit it was that
5. Numbers 9:20 Lit mouth
6. Numbers 9:20 Lit mouth
7. Numbers 9:21 Lit it was that
8. Numbers 9:21 Lit was
9. Numbers 9:23 Lit mouth
10. Numbers 9:23 Lit mouth

k.     Numbers 9:23 Lit mouth

Thoughts on the Passage

God’s guidance of the children of Israel through the cloud started the day the tabernacle was first erected. I can imagine the beautiful sunset on that first evening that perhaps caused the cloud to have the appearance of fire over the tabernacle. But what was miraculous was that this effect stayed “until morning” the Scripture says. So that were God’s natural laws of sunlight causing such appearance ended, the cloud was indeed miraculously maintained by God’s very active control. Surely the Israelites noted that and thus had no trouble following that cloud. Cloud by day, cloud that appeared like fire by night.

What is also of interest here is that whereas with respect to what God wanted the Israelites to do, we almost always have the phrase, “And God spoke to Moses to speak to the Israelites . . .”. But with respect to the “cloud to be followed” there was no such spoken word by God. The people were so struck by the magnificence of that first night, that it was obvious to them that they had to move with the cloud. That God was indeed in that cloud and He was leading their path through the desert. You will also remember that they had just celebrated the Passover which brought memories of God passing over their dwellings when they were in Egypt so that their first-born would not be killed. They needed no other encouragement to follow the cloud. I would, however, point out that at the very end of verse 23, we are told that they did all this “according to the command of the Lord through Moses.” So, it is possible that this all came about the same way as other instructions, but not necessarily. [And that is what is amazing about Bible studies. We need to be able to identify what we know for sure and what we don’t know for sure. We need to be careful that we don’t assume certain things as fact to suit our own beliefs or preferences.]

So, when the cloud moved, they would follow it. When it settled down, they would set up camp again. One wonders whether the cloud just moved horizontally or actually climbed higher and then lowered itself so that there was no mistake about where to camp. Verse 17 seems to imply clearly the latter as it was in fact “lifted” from over the tent. This verse also reminds us that the cloud likely did not cover the entire camp, but was primarily over the tent of the tabernacle.

And the passage tells us that sometimes it stayed in one place for two days or a month or a year. And they stayed put until it moved. Two things come to mind here.  First, how and why did God determine the length of each stay? I guess we will never know that. Suffice it to say that the passage from Romans 11 shared in the introduction to this particular study is all that we have to go by.

Secondly, I wonder how many Israelites that were in a hurry to get to the promised land, would, especially when the cloud didn’t move for weeks, or months, would get very impatient with God. Try to put yourself in that situation. How would you react? How long would your trust and faith in the Almighty last? [Well, it seems that with this coronavirus experience we are all undergoing, we have a chance to test that.] Matthew Henry, commenting on this very thing says,

“He that believeth doth not make haste. There is no time lost while we are waiting God's time. It is as acceptable a piece of submission to the will of God to sit still contentedly when our lot requires it as to work for him when we are called to it.”

David Guzik’s commentary adds to the richness of this passage. He tells us the fire at night was “obviously a comfort to Israel in the midst of a dark wilderness, and the cloud by day would be a shade from the hot wilderness sun.”

He goes on to say, even though Israel had been organized, and cleansed or sanctified, they still had to be guided by God each step of the way to the Promised Land. That makes me think about our journey to heaven. It’s not just about becoming a Christian and taking communion, or even being baptized. It is about living each moment being led by God in all of our actions, totally depending on Him.

Matthew Henry’s points us to the fact that sometimes they had to move in the middle of the night (vs. 29). Can you imagine how much grumbling that may cause for some people?  I wonder how we would react to such guidance in the middle of the night. Henry says, 

“. . . probably there were some appointed to stand sentinel day and night within sight of it, to give timely notice to the camp of its beginning to stir, and this [is] called keeping the charge of the Lord. The people, being thus kept at a constant uncertainty, and having no time fixed for stopping or removing, were obliged to hold themselves in constant readiness to march upon very short warning.”

Are we keeping that charge of the Lord? Are we, as Henry puts it,

“kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of this tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the commandment of the Lord [for heaven].”

We should note as Henry did that it is uncomfortable to remain in place when God has departed, but very safe and pleasant going forward when we see God has gone before us and then to be resting when He commands us to rest. That is the life of action and peace that we should all seek. In this passage God clearly shows us once again that He cares for us. 

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Who Do You Keep Out of Celebrations That God Wants Them In? And What About Church while on Vacation?

Numbers Chapter 9: Passover and Divine Guidance

Numbers 9:1-14 Sanctification through Celebrating Passover

I am writing part of this study today from the parking lot of my church, where I decided to visit alone, pray and read.  It’s a beautiful day.  Unfortunately, many all over the world feel they still need to be isolating in their homes and will do so until the government gives them the green light to live otherwise. Meanwhile, the damage to their livelihoods may be beyond repair. Meanwhile there is good news. For three days in a row, all three global stats seem to be going in the right direction: percentage of deaths/finalized cases and deaths/all cases is down; percentage of recoveries/all cases is up. Good News.  So, we are thankful, and continue to study the Word of God like never before. Hang in there with us as we look for more gems in Numbers today.

The Passage

Verses 1-14 of this chapter describe how God wanted Moses to let the people celebrate the Passover even while in the wilderness. And the timing was to be the appointed time as per Exodus 12. In verse 6 we are told that some men who had touched a dead person were unclean and could not observe Passover.

They approached Moses (and Aaron) and questioned the rule. Moses thought that was a fair question and told them he would enquire of God as to how to respond. And God told Moses that they, though they were unclean because of a dead person, could indeed observe the Passover to the Lord.

And then passage in verse 13 tells us that God was more concerned about the clean person who is on a journey and neglects to observe the Passover. God says that person will be cut off from his people and bear his sin. Verse 14 tells us that ‘alien sojourners’ may also observe the Passover among the people                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Thoughts on the Passage

The Passover meal and offerings to the Lord were a must. There was no excuse for missing it, even if travelling or on vacation. There is a direct link between the Passover as described here and the Communion services that we hold in our churches. God called for the practice to be annual at an appointed time. Jesus came along and said, “For as often as you do this, (take the communion meal – the bread and wine or juice), you do so in remembrance of me.” [I Corinthians 11] So, based on that, many Christians started to celebrate it monthly and some even weekly (some Brethren assemblies).

I remember growing up my parents used to note how often various groups celebrated communion. I remember some folks found fault with those that observed it on a different schedule. I turned to the New Testament Greek to check out the word “often” to see what Jesus may have had in mind with respect to frequency.  I found out that the word used – οσακις – in Greek, according to both the scholars Strong and Vine simply means “as often as”. Well, where I come from, there’s a big difference in meaning between “as often as” and “do more often”. Jesus was simply saying, when you do celebrate the Passover meal (which was indeed once a year) when He walked on this earth, “do it in remembrance of [Him]. I do not believe He was saying do it “very often”. Personally, I find that doing something very often leads to an impact that is diminishing in value. It becomes rote. And we have to really ask ourselves how well the majority of parishioners prepare for the Lord’s Supper. May I suggest not very well. Nevertheless, that is not the hill I am going to die on. 

Now, it is interesting to me that God says that those who are clean inside (have a sincere desire to take participate in the Passover) may do so even if they are unclean outside. Yes, admittedly, it was on the 14^th day of the second month as compared to the 14^th day of the first month when it was observed by all the others. They had to get past the period of uncleanliness. God made a provision that allowed them to participate. They didn’t have to wait until the next year. But they still had to be clean (from the uncleanliness of touching the dead body).

What does that tell us about who we allow at our Communion Table? I am aware of some closed denominations that only allow people who are members of their church or members of their faction to take communion. Yet God says even the externally physically unclean and those that are just passing by on their travels, can participate. We have to make sure they had met the criteria that God is interested in. What does your church do?

And again, it is wonderful to see Moses, when presented with a question, seeks the input and guidance and direction of God, before he answers. What a model he sets for all that would be leaders in the church.

We all agree that based on both New Testament and Old Testament passages, the Passover (or Communion) is a big deal in the economy of God. And we just read how God is irked for lack of a better word at those who neglect to observe it when they are away on a journey (verse 13). Now what would you say if I were to say to you that according to the apostle Paul in the New Testament, we are to not neglect to meet together regularly. Translate that as “go to church regularly”. We also know that both the O.T. and the N.T. speaks a lot about worship and worshipping together. Now, if we take those ideas and couple them with how God feels about those who neglect to observe the Passover while “away” from home, is it reasonable that we can form some idea about how God feels about us worshipping Him “together” while we are away from home?

I believe that’s reasonable. I believe that short of being laid up in traction on a hospital bed (okay, you get the idea) God wants us to make every effort to be at a church with other believers while travelling, especially while travelling on holidays. I have heard so many Christians say, “I’m on vacation and therefore, I don’t do church.”  My suggestion is that they try saying that directly to God and see what kind of inside response they will get.

Our two lessons today are pretty straight forward. First, we need to be certain that we don’t keep someone from participating in practices that God wants them to participate in (and vice-versa – we don’t allow people to participate when God says they can’t). The example that comes to mind is an experience I once lived through as a young leader of our youth group at a church I was attending. One of the girls had being disabled by polio (yes, it was that long ago) and she wanted to get baptized and join the church. However, because she could not be immersed, our church leaders at the time simply said she was not eligible to be a church member. Clearly, they did not take the time to enquire of God as to what He wanted done.

The second lesson is more for us. This is a good opportunity to consider or reconsider how we treat our trips away from home, especially our vacations. Let me ask straight out – do you make an effort to attend church or hold a worship service of sorts with others while you are away?

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Compare The Original Ordination Service with the last one at your church.

Numbers Chapter 8: The Levites are Consecrated

Numbers 8:1-26

I dubbed yesterday (May 1) my personal “Independence Day”. I had decided enough was enough. I will no longer let elitists and globalists turn me into a dumb sheep just because they have an agenda. I started going out and living life as normally as I could with whomever would join me. I recently invited members of my small group to join me this Sunday morning at the time of our regular service in the church parking lot, sitting in our respective cars and reading our bibles and praying. They will have to bring their own coffees. In the meantime, my enforced isolation is over. I’ll stay in long enough to continue my study in Numbers and share it with you.  So, hang in there and read on.

The Passage

 After the lamps were appropriately mounted in the tabernacle the first time it was set up, Moses was to take the Levites and “cleanse” them. This involved sprinkling purified water on them, letting them use a razor over their whole body, and washing their clothes. That would make them clean (vs, 7)

Verses 8-13 describe the ceremonial offering involved for the consecration of the Levites. Verses 14-22 describe again how the Levites belong to the Lord in lieu of all the first-borns of all the sons of Israel (we studied that in an earlier chapter). It is only then that the Levites can go about doing their work in, for, and with the tabernacle.

In verses 24-25, Moses is told that the Levites can only work in their calling from age 25 to age 50, and after that they can assist their brothers still working, but they themselves can do “no work”.

Thoughts on the Passage

Stepping back for a moment we see that this is a passage about the consecration of the Levites which feeds into the Sanctification through Worship that the Israelites had to go through, which in turn is part of a broader Sanctification and that in turn, is part of the Preparation of the Old Generation to inherit the promised land.

Notice, the lamps were in place. It was time to consecrate the Levites unto the Lord. Think of this like an ordination service for the Levites like you have for new pastors in your church. And it was also a time to clarify their term or duration of service – 25 years. We know that they could assist after that (and may before that), but in no way were they to actually carry out the official duties of the priesthood as outlined in the earlier chapter. What did God know about the appropriate age of a minister that we don’t?

We need to point out, in case you noticed a discrepancy with earlier chapters about their length of service, that David Guzik reminds us “A Levite's time of active service was to begin at age thirty and last until fifty according to Numbers 4:3, 4:23, and 4:30.  Yet their formal training began at age twenty-five, with a five-year apprenticeship.”

Matthew Henry tells us to pay particular attention to verse 10 were we read that the Levites were presented before the Lord, “and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites.” This didn’t make the people the “consecrators” but rather just indicated their willingness to give up this tribe from among them in order for the Lord and His tabernacle to be served.  And God accepts them as such, as ‘His’ in verse 14.

Ministers who truly belong to God in every aspect that God intended them to are a very special, rare, and precious human commodity. We who are not must recognize that, but I also believe that we have a responsibility to make sure there is enough evidence of God being pleased with their ministry and with their lives. Where that is lacking, some of us will find it difficult to keeping on trusting them. Others of us, will recognize that such failure is also partly our fault as members and adherents of the congregation because we failed to encourage them, we failed to pray fervently for them, and we failed to recognize their needs. May God help us to do our part with respect to our parts and may we pray that they will continue to work closely with Him.

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