Day 55: Numbers 3-4

Welcome to five minute Bible your daily guide for your daily reading today's February the 24th

And we'll be looking at numbers 3 through 4 Now today's reading moves us deeper into the

Architecture of Israel's camp numbers 1 through 2 counted the tribes and arranged them around the tabernacle

But now numbers 3 through 4 is gonna focus on the tribe that's closest to the center

And that's the Levites if the previous chapter showed us that God's presence defines

Israel structure well in these chapters show us how that presence is protected holiness is not

Decorative it is dangerous if it's mishandled. It is must be guarded and carried and approached carefully now

Numbers 3 opens by reminding us of something sobering Nadab and Abihu died before the

Lord when they offered unauthorized fire that memories hanging over Everything that follows then

God sets apart the Levites in place of Israel's firstborn sons And after the

Exodus every firstborn male in Israel belonged uniquely to the Lord God had spared them in Egypt now their lives were claimed by him and now the

Levites became substitutes They serve in place of the firstborn across the nation So instead of every household sending a son into tabernacle service now one tribe is gonna bear the responsibility for everyone substitution becomes structural in the nation

Then the chapter divides the Levites into three specific clans the

Gershonites the Kohathites and the Merarites Each clan receives precise assignments from God Gershon handles fabrics and coverings in the tabernacle

Merari Carries frames and poles and structural components and Kohath carries the most sacred objects.

Nothing is left to chance Nothing is improvised the tabernacle will be cared for by these specific three tribes of Levites And they each had their own particular job

Now numbers four intensifies the focus when the camp prepares to move the priest which are the sons of Aaron They first cover the most holy

Objects which are the Ark and the table and the lampstands and the altars and this is work that only the priest can do

But then after they've done that work Then the Kohathites may come in and approach to carry the tabernacle and the warning is explicit

They must not touch the holy things or they will die The message is unmistakable the presence of God is life -giving

But only when you approach him according to his word now as you read today

I want you to ask the following question. What does it mean to live near the holy presence of God without?

Treating it as ordinary and numbers three through four it's gonna answer that question by teaching us that nearness to God requires reverence fear and responsibility and with that the pattern that runs through these chapters is substitution and Stewardship with holiness the

Levites stand in place of the firstborn of Israel They represent the nation in their service their lives are not their own they belong to God and yet their

Responsibilities are detailed every cord every pole every covering is assigned to someone specific

The tabernacle doesn't move because of enthusiasm it moves because of obedience and this speaks directly to our lives today

Because we often assume that spiritual privilege means spiritual Informality the that closeness to God allows

Casual handling of sacred things that we can just bumble into the presence of God and kind of do whatever's on our heart and on Our mind and then

God will somehow bless it Scripture says the opposite the closer that we get in proximity to God's holiness the greater the accountability the greater the obedience

Leaders are not free in that sense. They are more responsible Those entrusted with the sacred tasks are not honored by their creativity, but by careful faithfulness because God's presence is a gift and it is a weighty gift and In this numbers three through four points powerfully to Jesus because the

Levites substitute for the firstborn of Israel anticipating the greater substitution Jesus who stands in place as the firstborn son of God who dies for the sins of the people

He stands in the place of his people not merely in service, but in sacrifice Now also the careful covering of the

Ark of the Covenant the holy objects also Foreshadows something profound because under the

Old Covenant holiness must be shielded from direct contact But in the fullness of time

Christ becomes the mediator who makes direct access possible He does not diminish holiness

Satisfies it where the mishandling of holiness by the Marawites and the Gershonites and all of them resulted in death

Christ bears the death upon himself So that sinners may approach God and just as the

Levites carried the dwelling place of God through the wilderness Christ carries his people safely through judgment and into their inheritance because holiness is not relaxed in the gospel

But it is fulfilled and perfectly mediated in him as you read at numbers three through four today

I want you to notice how carefully God structures the Responsibilities around his presence and the order that it takes to protect people from his holiness and tomorrow

We're gonna see how purity within the camp is guarded even further showing that holiness shapes

Not only the structure but conduct among the people and with that read your

Bible carefully Devotionally and joyfully and may the Lord use his word to sanctify you completely and we will continue our journey tomorrow.