Numbers 7 – Where’s the editor?

And his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. – Numbers 7:13-17 (ESV)

Numbers 7 repeats this passage twelve times – one for each of the twelve non-Levitical tribes of Israel. Every leader gives the exact same offering and each is recorded, one after another. Why?

This repetition certainly highlights the equal share the leaders of the tribes had in their contributions to the tabernacle. By the time Israel is in the time of the Judges, rivalries between the tribes are evident – rivalries that never really get healed before the exile. There is no one-upmanship here; this offering is about the service of the Lord, not bragging rights of the giver.

Numbers 5 – The bitter water test

As I read Numbers 5, a number of questions came to mind: Why such a weird test to determine guilt? Why are they being so harsh and one-sided to the women? What about the man? Victor Matthews has some insights into this seemingly difficult passage that I thought I would pass along. His thoughts (with some additions of my own) have been squeezed into the following three points:

(1) Adultery was a serious crime that affected the whole family. Promiscuity did not simply affect marital intimacy, but had consequences both towards the land and the children. The honor and integrity of the women was something that was to be protected and upheld by husbands and fathers. The 'spirit of jealousy' is probably not simply a ploy to get rid of a wife, but accusations and rumors that needed to be settled. A hint of infidelity, whether true or not, could have devastating consequences.

(2) Without eyewitnesses, the normal methods of justice were lost. Using forensic evidence is a rather new phenomenon, so CSI doesn't help us around 1500 B.C. Mob violence and/or a husband having judicial authority (especially with a jealous spirit) are also not options. The village needed to have harmony and resolution in this situation. ‘Innocent until proven guilty’ is a concept we desire to embrace, but in reality, if someone were to plead the 5^th, we’d probably assume their guilt. This procedure has the positive function of clearing the innocent.

(3) The community would be constrained since any punishment for the woman would come from God. This too promotes integrity in relationships since the Lord sees all, and engagement in illicit sex cannot be hidden from God.

This is not the only law on marital infidelity. There are consequences for both men and women who had sex outside the bounds of marriage. Why this one and why here? There is a common theme of “breaking faith” with the Lord (vv. 6) and a woman with her husband (vv. 12 & 27). The goal of both laws is to promote faithfulness. This law gives a frame of reference to “breaking faith” with the Lord – it is as serious as an unfaithful wife.

Victor Matthews, Dictionary of Old Testament: Pentateuch, "Family Relationships," IVP, 2003.

Numbers 4 – The tightening spiral

As the Lord describes the duties for camp detail, the circle gets smaller. We have gone from counting the fighting men in the other tribes (Num 1) to detailing their movements about the tabernacle (Num 2) to describing the Levitical duties concerning tabernacle property (Num 3). Now the attention to the Lord’s tabernacle is even more refined, even listing the duties of Eleazar, son of Aaron (BTW, he gets to be in charge of the oils).

While we have been talking about war and safe travel preparations throughout Numbers 1-3, the first real concern about people dying is now found in v. 15 –

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die.(ESV)

The enemies they are about to face haven't been mentioned, nor the hardships of their travels. The first item of 'worry' should be that God is with them, and they must respond appropriately.

Likewise, our concern is not to be solely pointed towards others, but instead it is to be about the Lord. This is something that Scripture reminds of again and again, as we are urged to not fear people, but to fear the Lord alone.

Finally, we must remember the greatness of what Christ has done for us. Praise Jesus, for His mercy to us and for being the perfect High Priest so that we, as God's people, can now go boldly before the throne of the Lord.

Numbers 3 – Guard duty

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. 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 3:6-8 (ESV)

One of the jobs of the tribe of Levi is to guard the tabernacle, the material components as well as those ministering within it. The details of the guard duty are given to each clan so that each portion is under protection. If an alien looked down on the Israelite camp, it would conclude that their most precious possession is the tabernacle – they have set up multiple layers of protection for it and govern access to it. I am again reminded that God has carefully and purposefully placed Himself in the middle of His people. He is their King, their most valued jewel. Although it is crazy to talk about protecting the Lord, He is our treasure.

Numbers 2 – The center

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.” – Numbers 2:1-2 (ESV)

When Israel sets up camp, the tabernacle is at the center with the various tribes surrounding it in a particular order. When Israel moves, the tabernacle goes out in the middle of the caravan. What is important to see is that the Lord takes center stage in Israel’s life. The tabernacle is a visible reminder that the Lord dwells with all of them. They see the tabernacle when they get up in the morning and when they go to bed at night. The Lord is with them all the time. It is also important to see that the tribes all have access to the tabernacle. Just as the Lord is in the middle of His people, His people have grouped themselves around their God.

Our Lord loves us. He is with us. Jesus, thank you for being Immanuel.

Numbers 1 – Census, war, and Levites: the Lord speaks

The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt ... Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. – Numbers 1:1, 54 (ESV)

As we begin the book of Numbers, we begin with the phrase “The Lord spoke.” This is a profound statement: the Lord speaks with His people. This shows God as a relational God, a God who interacts with and cares for His people.

The Lord’s watches over His people and He gives His people direction. The Lord is moving His people away from Sinai and preparing them for war. The army is counted, even listing the men that will help Moses organize the army. Levites are exempt; their station is with the tabernacle. Their movement to the Promised Land is being ordered and the march will begin in only 20 days (Num 10:11)!

As we end the chapter, we are confronted with another profound statement, “Thus did the people of Israel.” The people obeyed. God speaks and His people move. That such a statement would be true of Your people today. That such a statement would be true of me.

Psalm 19 – Our attachments to God

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork – Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

Creation testifies to the majesty of God. Can we go where God is not? Is there a place that we could cry and it not be heard? The law of the Lord is like desirable water: reviving, pure, clean. His words are to be desired more than fine gold, more than sweet honey.

Faced with such a wonderful God, we are drawn into introspection and examination. Truly, our lives cannot match the purity of His precepts, nor can they compete with His creative power. But the Lord is our God; He is our Rock and our Redeemer. The Gospel enables us to participate with creation in their declarations; it transforms us into a people that conform to His words. We need the Rock or else we could not stand; we need the Redeemer or else we would be swept away. We need the Lord to enjoy the Lord.

Psalm 17 – A cry for justice

We don’t often pray like David prays in Psalm 17. He asks for justice (vv 1-2), inspects his own life for iniquity (vv 3-5), and seeks protection (vv 8-12) from his enemies who seem to prosper (vv 13-14). In our dealings with the Lord, there needs to be honesty and clarity as to our true condition. Here David lays out his heart; he pleads with the Lord for vindication.

But that is not all that happens. With all that David wants from the Lord, he remembers his duty – to seek God’s face in righteousness (v 15). Others can only try to find happiness in this life (v 14), but people that belong to the Lord will find their satisfaction in him. That is what we should look forward to when our alarm clock buzzes in the morning.

Psalm 16 - Contrasts

I guess I am caught by the contrasts within this psalm. The movement associated with running after other gods differs with the stability of having the Lord as our chosen portion, the one who holds our lot. There is the disparity of the cup of the Lord with a drink offering of blood. There are sorrows for pursuing other gods but beauty is had in an inheritance that has been given by the Lord. And there is the name of our God – the Lord. He is not just ‘another god’ or a god whose name is left unsaid, but He is the true God who makes known to us the paths of life. Wonderful doesn’t begin to describe Him.

Sorry about the absence - we have been gone for the past two weeks.