Leviticus ends today, but seems to do so on a somewhat less-than-conclusive note ~ instructing the Israelites how they can "buy back" items they've promised to give to God in worship. At first glance, that appears to almost negate the whole book, but this commentary gave me a new perspective:
Leviticus 27 concludes the entire book by focusing the Israelites’ attention on the highest form of worship which men can experience. Earlier chapters of Leviticus have largely dealt with compulsory offerings and obedience. The final chapter of the book deals with that which is purely voluntary. While the first obedience is that of duty, the second is that of delight.We've just finished an entire book of RULES & REGULATIONS, but incredibly, we've seen the love, grace, and holiness of God throughout the whole thing! I find that absolutely amazing!! I love what all this digging is turning up!
The voluntary act of worshipping God by means of vows is the highest form of Old Testament worship. The legislation of this chapter assumes that men will, out of gratitude to God for His mercy and grace, make offerings which were the Israelites’ response to love, not to Law. How appropriate for the Book of Leviticus to end on a note of love, rather than of law, on a note of delight, rather than duty. (emphasis mine)
Next we move on to another book that usually doesn't rank among favourites: Numbers!
True to its name, the book of Numbers opens up with a chapter of numbers ~ the ordered census of all the Israelite tribes ~ and we have another chapter of twelve repetitive two-verse passages, where only the tribe name and the number change. Again, we see how each tribe, no matter how large or small or their position in the camp, performed the census in exactly the same manner. No tribe was more significant to God than the others.
We also see that the Israelite population hasn't changed much in the 1-2 years since the Exodus, and also the reiteration of why the Egyptian Pharaoh was nervous about the size of their population. If 603,550 fighting men are a representation of approximately one-quarter of the entire population, we're looking at a nation 2-3 million strong!
The Levites are intentionally omitted from this census because Moses was to determine the number of able-bodied men who would be able to serve in the army. The Levites were to commit themselves ONLY to serving in, maintaining, assembling, disassebling, and transporting the tabernacle. Interesting to note that the Levites were still engaged in warfare, just not in the physical sense that the other tribes were ~ they were called to do battle on a spiritual level every. single. day. on behalf of their nation.
Numbers 1 ends with some interesting and intimidating verses about how the Levites are to encircle the tabernacle each time the Israelites set up camp to provide a sort of shield between the wrath of God and the general public. This commentary states this order had a 3-fold purpose:
When they rested the Levites were to encamp round about the tabernacle (v. 50, 53), that they might be near their work, and resident upon their charge, always ready to attend, and that they might be a guard upon the tabernacle, to preserve it from being either plundered or profaned. They must pitch round about the tabernacle, that there be no wrath upon the congregation, as there would be if the tabernacle and the charge of it were neglected, or those crowded upon it that were not allowed to come near. Note, Great care must be taken to prevent sin, because the preventing of sin is the is the preventing of wrath. (emphasis mine)So what sounds like harsh orders from a vengeful God are really once again, upon closer examination, guidelines for the preservation of His chosen people and the place where He communicated and communed with them. His jealous desire for their safety and their close relationship with Him are very evident, even in these seemingly boring, repetitive books!
Tomorrow's passage: Numbers 2-3.
4 comments:
good post. i know though, i'm having some Numbers anxiety. i'm reminding myself that every thing is important and God is always faithful to teach us through all of the Word. When he says it living, moving, breathing and benificial he does not say "except for Numbers, you can just skip that". I just have a personality that hates to read instructions so these books are a exercise for me:)
Great post Tammi - thank you!
Thanks Tammi :)
I read in my bible notes that there are a few different theories to the numbers, that they might not actually be literal (because they say how can 2-3 million people move about like they did, have the room etc etc). It was interesting to read.
I've seen a few different number theories, too. I think in any case, it's all pretty amazing!!
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