Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.
Today’s reading comes from the book of Numbers, chapters 3 and 4, listing the duties of the Levites as ministers of the tabernacle. Some impressions from the text:
- “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.” An intriguing statement. God seems to be saying that, by sparing the firstborn of Israel, he made them his own. This notion applies to gospel salvation. We are saved from damnation by the grace and atonement of God, but not to then go about our own purposes. We were bought. We belong to Him, and must fulfill our purpose to serve Him.
- The Levites were chosen by God to serve Aaron and his sons as ministers of the tabernacle. Their duties might seem menial, assigned to carry various aspects of the tabernacle whenever the camp moved. But they were in fact greatly honored.
- Perhaps the greatest honor was bestowed upon the Gershonites, whose job was to carry implements from the most holy place within the tabernacle, including the coveted Ark of the Covenant. This relic, now likely lost to history forever, remains coveted today. They got to actually carry it.
Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.
Catch up on the previous entries:
Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).
Archived Exodus posts (scroll down in link) .
Archived Leviticus posts (scroll down in link).
The book of Numbers lives up to its name. – Numbers 1-2
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