Exodus 1:1-2:25
1 Chronicles 6:1-3a
Exodus 3:1-4:17
I find it remarkably sad that
the new Pharaoh knew nothing about what Joseph did. The king would surely have been well-educated,
so it appears the history books of that day were not written to perpetuate the
account of the salvation of the Egyptians by a Hebrew. In fact, I doubt the rest of the world wanted
to remember that a Hebrew boy saved their bacon. [No pun intended.] After a couple of generations, the true
account (if it survived at all) would have survived only as a myth that would
have been laughable in Egyptian circles.
We endure the same historical revisionism in America today.
The courageous and faithful
midwives remind me of the 3 Hebrews in the fiery furnace (Daniel). The risk of death was imminent but they just
could not do the evil commanded of them.
The most astonishing thing in
today’s reading is the cowardice of Moses regarding speaking to the Israelites
and to Pharaoh. It is paradoxical to me
that Moses’ cowardice was so strong that it actually gave him courage to argue with Almighty God. Go figure!
Exodus 4:18-7:13
While this account is
familiar to me, I am always surprised by the odd insertion of the Lord
confronting Moses about circumcision (apparently). There is barely enough of this account to
allow some projecting. Apparently, Moses
was flagrantly disobeying God regarding the circumcision of his sons. Maybe the requirement had not been enforced
by God because they were not living as Jews, but now they would be.
Regarding Pharaoh’s reaction
to Moses (and the people being oppressed even worse), I suppose I should take
heart concerning trials becoming more intense when I am praying for
deliverance. Sometimes the worst storm
brings the most beautiful rainbow.
Exodus 7:14-9:35
The big controversy about the
plagues is the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.
Did God do it or did Pharaoh?
Actually, the text shows us both is true and the genre of the Bible as a
whole shows us that there comes a point when God turns us over to our
persistence. Pharaoh was responsible for
the condition of his heart. God was
responsible for employing that condition for his glory through the ages even
until now – here – this room – as my pen writes – as your eyes read.
Both the wrath of God and the
humor of God can be seen (I think) in how the plagues coincided with each of
the false gods that Egypt worshipped.
Also, in the midst of that wrath,
God’s grace is never hidden, and some Egyptians came to bow before God and
accept His grace (9:20). It appears God
allowed the Egyptians to survive by digging new wells, by sparing some animals,
and by sparing the wheat, etc.
Exodus 10:1-12:51
It appears that at this
point, just prior to the plague of locusts, that God begins to perpetuate the
hardening of Pharaoh’s heart for the glory of God, now and in future
generations (10:1-2). This lesson is
taught also in the New Testament – if you persist in your hardness or
stubbornness, God will eventually give you over to it. He will not strive with you indefinitely.
Of course, one of the most
powerful pictures of “justification by grace alone through faith alone in
Christ alone” is shown here in the Old Testament in the requirements of the
Passover. Man presents the blood of the
innocent lamb to save his firstborn son from the wrath of God through the death
angel. But man can only present through
faith alone, what God provides by grace alone.
And so we see God’s gracious provision of the Innocent Lamb - His
firstborn Son. Many people struggle to
reconcile the love of God with the wrath of God, and yet the power of God’s
love is shown only in the context of His hatred of sin. The blood of the lamb must be seen by the
death angel for him to pass over that dwelling.
The Blood of the Lamb must be seen by God for His declaration of
righteousness – for His salvation.
Regardless of what you believe about man’s participation, God will
provide the sacrifice, by grace alone.
The instructions for
continuing to observe the Passover each year were detailed because of the
importance of not forgetting God’s plan of Redemption.
Exodus 13:1-15:27
The Lord requires the
firstborn of Israel forever. The story
could have stopped there, and none of us would be here today. God would be perfectly just in ending the
story there. But of course, God is love,
isn’t He? A little note here: Let’s not
talk about God being bound by anything, such as His merciful nature, or
His amazing grace, or His infinite love. The whole premise of the word, “bound”
is wrong. God simply is merciful, gracious, and
loving. He is not bound – HE IS. And so He also makes provision for the
salvation of the firstborn. He provides
for their redemption by the sacrifice of the lamb. This “visual reality” teaching was vivid and
easily understood. No wonder men and
women of all ages are without excuse.
And the annual festival is to
remind them to teach - to incite curiosity in the younger. The memory tools of God are so important
because our memories are so poor – so driven by sinfulness. We look at this account in Exodus and are amazed
at how fickled the people are; not seeing how much like them we are.
We may not understand the
direction. It may seem dangerous and
terribly impractical, but we must follow God – the pillar of cloud by day and
the pillar of fire by night.
The people were delivered so
dramatically and so unmistakably divinely, and yet, at the next test (the
bitter waters), they still did not turn to God.
Are we so different? May God help
us to be different!
Exodus 16:-
Regarding the manna and quail
from heaven and the complaining Israelites; it appears, judging from the account
in Numbers, that certain people were more prone to complaining than
others. I was thinking there certainly
must be some who said, “We got a serious problem with food that seems to be
getting worse. We need to seek the
Lord. The Lord will provide.”
We learn from the Gospels
that Jesus was and is the Bread from heaven that satisfies spiritual hunger and
the Water from the Rock that satisfies spiritual thirst. His promise is that if we hunger and thirst
we will be filled. Unfortunately, too
many resign themselves to spiritual emaciation and dehydration, by seeking
nourishment in all the wrong places, while neglecting the only true Source.
God had enough from the
Amalekites and pronounced a grave judgment on them. Jethro gave Moses what appears to be advice
from God on how to be an effective administrator. God expresses His love for Israel and reveals
Himself – His holiness, while expressing deep concern for the people’s safety.
Exodus 20:1-22:15
One thing that jumps at me this
morning is how nearly everyone acknowledges as valid for life today, all the
commandments except one, to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. I do not see in the New Testament where that
was done away with. We see where
Christians gathered on the first day of the week for worship and giving, but
that does not really speak to the “7th-day” issue.
Well, before I am
misunderstood, let me say, that we do not go to any commandments for
salvation. We go to the commandments and
discover our need for salvation. The
commandments teach us how hopelessly lost we are – how totally unable to keep
the whole Law. The commandments teach us
this, not because the commandments are bad, but because they are good – in
fact, perfect. When we look at them, we
know how imperfect we are. The only way
one can keep the Law is with love. Love
God with all you are and love others as yourself. Then the commandments are within reach, for
the love of God works victory in us through Jesus Christ.
You see, Jesus taught us that
these commandments go much deeper than what appears on the surface. They are concepts of the heart. From the very beginning, God has taught us
that rest is important. And when we
neglect proper rest (regardless of what day of the week we may choose), we
neglect the well-being that God designed to come from rest. God cares for us and nothing shows that
tender care more clearly than this teaching of resting periodically. Indeed, the ultimate teaching of the Sabbath
is the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because He is Lord of the
Sabbath, and the only true rest is found in Him.
Are you soul-weary? Surrender to Christ and find rest – find your
Sabbath.
As I read this first section
on social responsibility, I realize how far our country has strayed from its
roots and I understand why we are convulsing so badly with crime, corruption,
immorality, and terrorism. It seems
justice becomes more perverted and unholy behavior is now our greatest source
of entertainment.
How can we expect the Lord’s
presence and blessings when we continue in ever-increasing disobedience with
little or no acknowledgment of God? God
commanded attendance to Him 3 times a year from the men of Israel with tithes,
offerings, and sacrifices; and He said do not compromise with the godless.
Granted we are not a
theocracy, but the principles are universally beneficial and following them has
been part of the greatness of America.
Abandoning them is our greatest shame, and our ultimate undoing.
Exodus 25:1-28:43
The wording is clear. Contributions should be from the heart. Make the need known without coercion. Be specific and trust God.
The two most striking things
about this section (to me) are vastly different and yet closely related.
What do they have in
common? It is powerfully obvious – the
love of God. Both of these observations meet
at the intersection marked by the word “so” in John 3:16. How unsearchable is His love?
Exodus 29:1-31:18
The ordaining of Aaron and
his sons for the priesthood (29:7-9) makes me think of Jesus at His baptism as
He came up out of the water, and the Spirit descended like a dove on Him, and
God declared His pleasure in His Son.
First they are clothed with special clothing and then anointed with oil
and then we are told they are priests forever.
Definitely types of Christ, but also a foretaste of the priesthood of
all believers in the New Testament.
After this, the first of the
sacrificing is described and it seems so hideous that I am astonished when in
29:18 we are told it is pleasing to God.
But then my mind goes to the cross and my Lord, God’s Son. Indescribably hideous and no wonder – my sins
are there. God’s pleasure has to do with
the accomplishment of that which He “so loved.”
Thank You, Father – thank You, Jesus.
Also notable in this section
is the method of offering (30:11-16), the calling of the craftsmen (31:1-11),
that of the Sabbath, and again, where God “will meet you.”
Exodus 32:1-34:35
Moses was on the mountain 40
days at least, but it doesn’t look like the people waited that long before
getting restless. It says “When Moses
did not come back down right away…”
Apparently they got restless and wrong-minded rather quickly. I want to be critical of them – they
certainly deserve it. But I think I have
seen this failure in me.
God said He would “blot out
whoever has sinned against Me.” In a way
we could say that God holds a book without any words – except that it does not
remain empty – not quite. The book has
not been cast away as a book without words, because there is one Name that
remains in it, Jesus Christ the Lord. He
did not sin. And He has His
own book! – The Lamb’s Book of Life.
Every soul who comes to recognize his or her wretched sinful condition
knows why his name has been blotted out of God’s record. Every soul who comes to understand how Jesus
lived, and why He died, will recognize that Jesus is the only name that can
ever be in God’s book.
But this other Book is a
different story. Because God so loved
the world that He looked in His book and found only One Who was worthy to be
the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world.
All who repent and follow Jesus, the Son of God, the Lamb of God; will
find their names written in that other book, the Lamb’s Book of Life. And through Christ we shall see the glory of
God because:
1.
Only Christ perfectly
kept the covenant on those 2 tablets,
2.
Only Christ took
our guilt, and gave us His righteousness, and
3.
Only Christ
redeemed us through His death on the cross.
Exodus 35:1-36:38
The instructions for the
Sabbath seem very stern in light of Jesus’ words about it. It was (and is) very important for the people
of God to behave in a holy manner. God
set this day apart especially for rest.
It was intended as a blessing, not an oppression. “Anyone who works on that day will die.” Whether this refers to a command that the
offender be put to death or just to the natural results of avoiding rest, the
main point is for God’s people to have nothing to do with greed and earthly
thinking regarding what God calls holy.
Jesus said He is Lord of the Sabbath.
One cannot claim respect for the Lord while disrespecting the
Sabbath. It has been well said that
Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. God made the Sabbath for man, and Jesus is
our Sabbath rest.
There are many places in the
Bible where God uses the least likely person (in man’s view) to accomplish His
purpose, so that man will not be tempted to ascribe glory to man rather than
God. But God does “gift” men with
specific skills for His purpose, and we should not be foolish in this regard,
but simply remember that all good gifts and talents are from God and give Him
glory.
Exodus 37:1-39:31
The Ark of the Covenant is
the most fascinating of all to me, regarding the Tabernacle, its components,
and its contents. That is where God
said, “I will meet you.” How does a holy
God meet with an unholy people, and the unholy survive? The 2 tablets of Law were placed in the Ark,
representing God’s requirements and man’s failure. This was covered by the pure gold mercy
seat. Looking down on the mercy seat is
the 2 cherubim with wings spreading upward and over and touching. It is between these cherubim (which represent
God’s grace) that God meets His people.
But again, how can that be? It is
true, he is merciful and gracious, but He is just and holy. Sin must be punished! Blood must be shed. Judgment must be “finished.”
This judgment is only
satisfied directly by the sinner or by the transfer of sin to the innocent one,
who is then sacrificed to atone for sins.
The priest, who is set apart as holy to the Lord, brings the blood of
the innocent once a year and sprinkles it on the mercy seat for all the
people. Praise God for His Son - His
willing and innocent Lamb, our gracious Substitute!
Exodus 39:32-40:38
Numbers 9:15-23
Several striking things I am
thinking about – mostly about the parallel of the Tabernacle to the body of the
Christian. The first thing that goes
into the Tabernacle is the Ark of the Covenant.
Of course, this is where God “will meet” the people. And God meets man today in the heart.
Then everything must be
anointed that it may be set apart for the Lord.
Everything. Total repentance – a
completely different worldview in which everything we own, everything we plan,
do, and think is all accounted to the Kingdom of God. This is a complete mind renewal.
And when accomplished – when
all is in place – when all is anointed holy, the glory of the Lord, His Holy
Spirit will fill the Tabernacle (our bodies).
God will be glorified in our bodies, and our direction will be clear.
One last worthy note from the
text: Our priesthood is forever.
Numbers 7:1-89
The Kohathites did not get
any carts or oxen because their instructions were to carry the sacred things on
their shoulders. This section is all
about the importance of records, and of heeding those records when it is the
Word of God. It is easy to dismiss
readings such as this one as meaningless, but we will later read about a tragic
mistake that David made in not insuring that the sacred Ark was handled
properly. Guys just don’t like to read
the directions – they prefer to just barrel right on into the project; and they
often regret it. David’s shortcut cost a
man’s life and a delay in blessings for Israel, all because the Ark of the
Covenant was carried on a cart.
The people of Israel should
have heeded this chapter in understanding giving and worship and respect for
God. A few hundred years later the
people instead are using their precious metals to fashion golden calves and
other such things and sacrificing their animals and even their children to
false gods. [And here I am in the 21st
Century thinking some things never change (among the people of God).]
Every chapter, every verse, every
word, is important in the Word of God.
Numbers 8:1-9:14
Leviticus 1:1-3:17
It is interesting to me that
the Levites worked for the Lord from the ages of 25 to 50. Retirement at 50 doesn’t sound so bad –
unless I am working for the Lord directly with the sacred items. But the Lord made provision for them to do
other things.
The Lord is gracious
regarding the people who were ceremonially unclean or traveling during
Passover. Man’s religion does not tend
to allow grace such as this, but even though God wants disciplined servants; he
still understands that things happen.
Indeed His sovereign oversight misses nothing.
The procedures for the
offerings are sobering and yet very blessing because they all represent Christ
Who is our complete, yet broken offering to God.
All of this is encapsulated
in the words “very pleasing to the Lord.”
Everything is hideous until those words are met. And then beauty begins to emerge.
Leviticus 4:1-6:30
Again, Christ is so vividly
clear in the sacrifice types and procedures.
Even with our spiritual dullness we can see this as we read even one of
the 4 Gospels. Also Romans or Hebrews
provide rich insight. As Gentiles we
tend to see only hideous, grotesque violence, until we discover the purpose in
the New Testament. But not everyone was
so dull. There were some in the Old
Testament that actually got it. They saw
that justification could only be by faith, and that God’s pleasure was not in
the blood of bulls and goats, but in the obedience of those who by faith
trusted that God would provide the sacrifice.
They knew that salvation is of the Lord, which is exactly what the word
Jesus means. They believed in Jesus,
even though He had not come yet.
It does not take a rocket
scientist, but it does take the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the holiness of
God, the hideousness of sin, and the inevitability of judgment. Our only chance is in God’s gracious plan of
substitution – the transfer of sin to the innocent and then shedding that
innocent blood. But the sacrifice must
not only be sinless, it must be willing and identified with humanity.
Frankly, there were many who
looked at all the carnage of the Old Testament sacrifices, and then saw beyond
to the only truly necessary sacrifice to come (John 3:16). The sacrifices before Christ came were wholly
inadequate unless the eye of faith recognizes the picture of what is adequate,
“the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Abraham knew it – God will
provide the Sacrifice!
Leviticus 7:1-8:36
There is always a focus on
the kidneys, liver, and fat of these offerings.
I am not sure of the significance but I think the two organs represent
purification, which is of course their function (of sorts) in the body. Perhaps the fat represents that portion of
the increase or prosperity that God has given, which is to be given back to
Him. But the fat and the blood are never
to be eaten. We know that life is in the
blood. Specifically – regarding the
Christ - eternal life is in the blood.
In the ordination of the priests, we sometimes learn of the types of Christ by what is called the contrast of the antithesis (compare the opposites). We see what the priests had to do, but Christ did not. We see the indicators of their sinfulness, but not so with Christ. We see this, for instance in the sacrifices. Christ is our Priest in Heaven but he did not have to be made holy because He was never otherwise. No, the priests should remind us of what should happen to all who are in the priesthood of believers, and that would be you and me (if you are a follower of Christ). We must be made holy and the only way is through the Spirit of Christ by the blood of Jesus.
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
There can be no more graphic
photographs of the ugliness of sin and the need for innocence – the need for
the beauty of Christ and the love of God and the glory of God than these verses
of instruction for sacrifices.
It becomes very clear that
this activity of obedience is not to be entered into flippantly when Nadab and
Abihu are burned in the Lord’s presence for their disobedience. To me as a parent, the sentence, “and Aaron
was silent” (10:3) is heart-wrenching. I
think any loving parent who reveres God can identify with that sentence. It contains a volume of both grief and
respect.
God teaches the people to know the difference (so you can distinguish) between what is clean and unclean. Today we do not go to lists of regulations but to Christ and a telling sign that one has been with Christ is the clear distinguishing and avoiding of what all know to be unclean, and the embracing of what is clean. I write of those things which God has written in the hearts of His children.
Leviticus 12:1-14:32
We look at a variety of
uncleanness scenarios starting with that of a woman after childbirth. It struck me that the period of purification
following the birth of a female was twice what it was when a boy was born. I guess this goes back to the Fall,
deception, and curse of the woman in Genesis 3.
It was also very interesting
that when a person is partially covered with discolored skin, he is unclean but
when he is completely covered he is clean.
It makes me think of 1 Corinthians 5:5.
Maybe it is better to be in one place or the other but not both. God does not like fence-straddling.
But the New Testament verse
that comes strongest to mind as I read all this is 1 John 1:9. I think it is because I am struggling with so
much right now. God wants us to confess
and face up to our wrong but He wants us to trust His promise of cleansing as
well.
Leviticus
The continuation of
instructions on how to treat contaminations, discharges, etc. dominate this
reading. In the small picture I guess I
am most struck by the method of atonement that includes two birds – one dies –
one lives. The one is set free after
being dipped in the blood of the one which dies. The picture is vivid. We are only free by the blood of Jesus. The contamination of sin can only be dealt
with by confession and the blood of Jesus (1 Jn 1:9).
The big picture makes me
overwhelmed by the grace of God Who offers to sinful, corrupt people the
opportunity to be in His presence through the obedience of faith. He is willing to meet with them, and He does
it without compromising His justice.
The procedures for the high
priest on the Day of Atonement make this abundantly clear. God is love and His heart is always reaching
to rescue. “He Who knew no sin, became
sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Leviticus 17:1-19:37
This section teaches what
might be called 4-part Harmony.
1.
Harmony with God.
2.
Harmony with
others.
3.
Harmony with
nature.
4.
Harmony with
self.
This is what God wants for His
people – the people to whom He is Lord.
Of course, we are not in harmony with the last three, because
we are not in harmony with the first, God.
So is God requiring something of us that is impossible for us to
do? Yes and no. In and of ourselves, it is impossible. We need His empowerment.
But more important, we need a
method of restoration that will allow us to successfully pursue what He
commands us to pursue (despite a history of failure). And so the 2 key verses here are first, 19:2,
“you must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy. And 17:11, “for the life of any creature is
in its blood. I have given you the blood
so you can make atonement for you sins.
It is the blood, representing life that brings you atonement.”
And of course we know, that
the only adequate blood-sacrifice for sins is the blood of the sinless One,
Christ Jesus.
Leviticus 20:1-22:33
The regulations continue and
the sense of God’s loving care continues throughout. Yes, the consequences of infractions are
serious, but they are driven by God’s love for His people that He has set apart
to be holy as He is holy.
God knows that obedience to
these laws and regulations will insure the well-being of His people and
likewise He knows disobedience will produce disaster. They will become weak and essentially
self-destroying, and the “land will vomit them out.”
When instructing the priests, God reveals His heart for the family unit. First He makes the priests’ relationship to Him clear, showing precedence over even the family. But in the same note, God instructs concerning marriage and who the priest should marry to maintain purity in the priesthood. Then He speaks of the priest’s relatives – specifically, who may eat of the offerings and who may not. This whole reading is very valuable for discovering the heart of God toward the family.
Leviticus 23:1-25:23
The symbolism revealing
Christ in the festivals is so rich and beautiful.
First, the Sabbath itself
reveals to us Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath, as we know that He is our
rest. The Passover is next and the
Festival of Unleavened Bread. Jesus is
our Lamb slain from the foundations of the world. If His blood is applied, the death angel will
Passover. He is the Bread of Life, pure
and sinless (without leaven).
The Festival of Firstfruits
points to the Resurrection and Christ Who is our Firstfruits. The Festivals of Harvest and Trumpets both
teach of the establishment of Christ’s Church.
The Day of Atonement is one day a year in which everyone is to pray and
fast while the High Priest goes into the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy
of Holies), where He sprinkles the blood on the mercy seat and meets with God
between the cherubim. And the Festival
of Shelters or Tabernacles teaches us of Christ our Shelter.
In the Old Testament Scriptures, the Lord Jesus Christ is hidden nowhere and revealed everywhere. No wonder Jesus said, “…the Scriptures…are they which testify of Me.” (Jn 5:39) Our Lord is hidden only to the blind. May our eyes be open wide.
Leviticus 25:24-26:46
As I read I thought of the
title, Beauty and the Beast. The
principle of redemption of property or slaves shows the beautiful value God
gives to man. It reminds us of the redemption
God accomplished for us on the cross.
The blessings God promises
for the obedient are so wonderful and so desirable, they actually vivify just
how sinful we are in turning away from such blessings to indulge our
flesh. It is mind-boggling but it is
exactly what we do! And yet, it is not
who we are! We are being restored to the
image of God, becoming more and more like Christ. Victory is always available to us! So do not – do not resign yourself to that
recurring sin. Live IN Christ!
When we disobey God and act
no higher (or even lower) than the beast of the field, then God will treat us
accordingly with fierce judgment.
But notice how the section
ends. God always acts from His
love. Even what seems the harshest
discipline comes from the heart of our holy God Who desires (and assures) our
eternal blessing.
Leviticus 27:1-34
Numbers 1:1-54
I suspect
these first few verses draw an interesting array of attention from this
generation – this society. I also
suspect the culture of ancient nomadic Israel was less questioning of
this. It will be interesting to read the
commentaries.
Reading
on through the dedications of animals, property, firstfruits, tithes, etc.; one
is struck by the unity of love and sobriety - the balance toward the worship of
God. At first I was unsure how to take
verse 29 of Leviticus 27. It immediately
jumped out as one that speaks directly to Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, but
it also occurred to me that Christ commanded us to take up our cross and follow
Him. Too many people – too many nominal
Christians do not realize that to be holy is in a sense to be destroyed or
consumed for God’s glory. Dedication,
consecration, and destruction can be rendered from the same Hebrew word. And now God shows that holiness is also in
that same family.
And then,
there is the census…
Numbers 2:1-3:51
I am thinking of Paul’s words
as I read, “Let everything be done decently and in order.” Some people think that orderly behavior can
get in God’s way, but to me that is His way. There can be a way of organization that is
according to man’s wisdom. This is
foolishness to God, because He is able to see the end result as the very chaos
that attempted to overrule His goodness – His order – since the pride of
Lucifer emerged. God is not the God of
chaos. Man takes care of that! God has purpose and His purpose is good, and
He does not leave us without instruction.
Regrettably, we have been the children of disobedience, but now we are
the children of promise. Praise the
Lord!
The Levites belonged to
God. I recently read a book written by a
liberal author who pitched the Levites against the Aaronites. The author ignored the fact that Aaron is a
descendant of Levi. He is a Levite, but
his family was established as a special Priesthood for the work of the Temple
sacrifices - for the work of intercession!
This author’s presentation appeared intellectual but it was nonsensical
speculation.
I felt a flash of envy for
the Kohathites who were responsible for taking care of the Ark, the Table, the
Lampstand, the Altars, the Inner Curtain, etc.
(I wonder if they were tending the curtain when it ripped from top to
bottom!)
Numbers 4:1-5:31
I wondered a bit at the need
for a census of the Levite men (30-50).
God already knows how many there are and He knows the assignments. But being an administrator myself, I began to
see how this would facilitate the organization and implementation of God’s
instruction. It is a management tool
(from the Top).
It was interesting and
humbling to read the duties of the 3 groups of Levites. But I was especially drawn to the way each
set of instructions began with a summary.
The Kohathites’ duties relate to the most sacred objects, the
Gershonites’ to general service and carrying loads, and the Merarites’ to only
carrying loads. Today those who belong
to Christ are called the Priesthood of Believers. Perhaps we have here at least a hint of what
our duties are.
The ritual concerning the
marital unfaithfulness reminded me of when my wife Beth used to check my
children for lying by putting her thumb on their noses. J
Ó 2004 C. E. Briggs