Year 1, Week 16, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 16, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 3.

Today’s reading focuses on the Levitical Priests. Numbers 3 counts the total numbers of Levitical Priests, as well as gives the clans associated with the sons of Levi their particular assignments in reference to the Tabernacle structure: "List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari.” (Numbers 3:15-16). The Levities were a special tribe. In lieu of the firstborn of all of Israel belonging uniquely to the LORD, the Levities would receive that firstborn designation: “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.” (Numbers 3:11-13).

What struck me in today’s reading was the important role that the LORD gave to the Levitical Priests: “O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!” (Psalm 135:20). What is particularly intriguing is the language used in today’s reading to state the general work assignment of the Levites: “They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.” (Numbers 3:8). The two priestly duties stated here are the same given to Adam in the Garden: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15). The roles of working and keeping the Garden are the same terms used to describe the duties of guarding and ministering. Adam was given priest-like duties for he was like a priest in that he would represent the LORD to the rest of creation. The Levitical Priests were assigned Adam-like roles for they would be His special representatives who guarded and served.

The three clans from Levi each had particular commitments in regard to the Tabernacle. The clan of Gershon, who would reside on west side, would take care of the soft materials of Tabernacle: “And the guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords” (Numbers 3:25-26). The clan of Kohath, who would reside on the south side, would take care of the Tabernacle furnishings: "And their guard duty involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and the screen; all the service connected with these. And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the chiefs of the Levites, and to have oversight of those who kept guard over the sanctuary.” (Numbers 3:31-32). The clan of Merari, who would reside on the north side, would take care of Tabernacle frames and posts: “And the appointed guard duty of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, the bars, the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories; all the service connected with these; also the pillars around the court, with their bases and pegs and cords.” (Numbers 3:36-37). And Moses, Aaron, and his sons would reside on the east side, where the entrance was, and like the angels who guarded the eastern entrance to the Garden, guarded the entrance of the Tabernacle: “Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death.” (Numbers 3:38).

The Levitical Priests duties were connected to the roles given to Adam. Today, the New Covenant has done away with the Levitical Priesthood, but in its place, the Lord has made all of His people a priesthood: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). Thus, while there may be differing degrees to how we individually carry out our priestly work today, as well as differing emphases based on our unique aptness, we are all, who are in Christ, part of the Christian priesthood. As priests, we are to guard the doctrine of the Gospel: “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). As priests, we are to serve in the cause of the Gospel: “Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (Titus 2:9-10). And as priests, we are to speak the Gospel: “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:3-6). Guarding and serving the Gospel is a priestly activity.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe