Links for today’s readings:
Read: Numbers 1 Listen: (6:21) Read: Acts 24 Listen: (4:11)
Scripture Focus: Numbers 1.47-51
47 The ancestral tribe of the Levites, however, was not counted along with the others. 48 The Lord had said to Moses: 49 “You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law—over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. 51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death.
Reflection: God’s Movers
By John Tillman
Leviticus focused on organizing how people worshiped within the Tabernacle. Numbers begins by organizing how people lived surrounding the Tabernacle.
In one sense, the Levites were God’s movers. When the camp moved, only the Levites could carry God’s “tent” and the holy things within. In another sense, they were defenders just like the “fighting men” counted among the other tribes.
Those counted for military duty waged battles against physical threats from outside the camp. Those counted among the Levites waged battle against spiritual threats from inside the camp.
Imagine living in a tent-city with God’s presence at its center. The physical presence of God is beautiful but powerful. He is holy, which means set apart and pure. He is glorious, which means heavy or weighty. For the sinful and prideful, experiencing the unleashed, unfiltered holiness and glory of God ends earthly life. (Leviticus 10.1-2) His holiness is a fire we can’t pass through. His glory is a weight we can’t bear. This is not because God is malevolent but because we are. Yet, God provides multiple means of grace to allow his people into his presence.
He hid Moses in a cleft of rock and showed him his back instead of his face. (Exodus 33.21-23) He “made holy” the priests, so that they could approach him in ways others couldn’t. (Leviticus 20.8; 21.23) He set apart and made pure the Levites to care for the holy items of the Tabernacle that others were unable to touch.
John’s Gospel says Jesus “tabernacled” with us. (John 1.14) Jesus moved into the “tent-city” of humanity as the final means of grace to bring people to God’s presence. All the other means, including the Levites, the priests, the ceremonies, the sacrifices, Aaron’s priestly prayers, and Moses’ glowing face, (Exodus 34.29-30) were just shadows and hints pointing to Jesus.
Jesus is still “tabernacled” with us through the Holy Spirit and we are still “God’s movers.” We dwell in a “tent-city” (2 Corinthians 5.1-4) with God’s presence at its center, but one day we will dwell in a real city prepared for those who are in Jesus. The only ones excluded from this city will be those who reject Jesus. (Revelation 21.22-27)
Jesus is God’s ultimate means of grace, supplanting all others and removing all limits to who can approach God. It is our holy and glorious duty to carry the presence of Jesus and invite others to meet him through the scripture, our words, and our actions.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Your testimonies are very sure, and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, forever and forevermore. — Psalm 118.26
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Winning People > Winning Arguments
Acts gives many examples of followers of “The Way” on trial. When we are on trial, in courts or in conversations, do we follow their examples?
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