Week 6: Leviticus 20-Numbers 16

Reflection: In week 4, we sat at the mountain of God and read of the people receiving the law and God dwelling with the people through the filling of the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle). In Exodus 40, the tabernacle is erected on the first day of the first month of the second year. From then until Numbers, not much time has passed, one month to be exact (Numbers 1:1). As mentioned in previous weeks, the first 10 chapters of Numbers are at Sinai. As they prepare to set out to the Promised land, we are hopeful that they will keep their covenant vows, but in chapters 12-16 we read of rebellion and complaint from the people, Aaron and Miriam, the select spies who were sent into the land, some of the sons of Levi. This entire generation (except for Caleb and Joshua) will perish in the wilderness, but God's steadfast love will remain for the generation to follow.

Leviticus 20-23: Holy. In 20:26, we read "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine." At the center of these chapters is this central idea of holiness. The people were to live in such a way that reflects God's very own character and as His own possession. That same call is for us today. The Apostle Peter echoes this command "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1:15).

Leviticus 24-27: Grace. It is not uncommon for a Christian to hear from a skeptic that they are ok with the Jesus of the New Testament, but they cannot get behind the angry, vindictive God of the Old. But if they would read these chapters of the Bible, they would see the love and grace of God. He cares for those who do not have much (example, 25:35-46) and he is a God who is ready to forgive those who humble themselves and turn from their iniquities (26:40-42).

Numbers 1-4: Personally Known. Does God care about individuals? Of course, the answer is Yes. And in Numbers, we see a wonderful picture of that. As the people are numbered in the first census, we may be tempted to go on auto-pilot and "skim" through this chapter. But God never skims through the list. He loved every single one of those who were numbered. He loves His own, each and every one of them.

Numbers 5-8: Clean. Monica and I regularly clean our home, but Thursday afternoons are days where we do a little bit more cleaning. We do it because we do not want to have a dirty home when we have people over for fellowship and Bible study. In these chapters, we begin reading about unclean people and how confession is necessary. We end this day's reading about the Levites who need to be cleansed before they can enter into service. Being clean was necessary for a person to maintain communion with God and not be put outside of the camp. Even those who would lead and minister in the tabernacle required cleansing. How wonderful it is that we have a high priest who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Heb 7:26).

Numbers 9-12: Cloud or Cloudy. I have a vivid imagination, so when I read passages like "the cloud covered the tabernacle" (9:15) I imagine a massive cloud 45 ft wide and 2 miles high. What a glorious image it must have been. Yet, despite that visible picture of God's presence, the people complain (ch 11) and Moses' own leaders oppose him (Aaron and Miriam in ch 12). As you read these chapters, check your heart and see whether you have lost sight of Him or have had your spiritual senses dulled by His continual presence as you read His word. Pray that you will continue to live in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27).

Numbers 13-16: Promise Rejected. Having experienced the grace of God in miraculous ways throughout their wilderness journey, the people finally reach the land of Promise. Not only had he kept His word to deliver them from Egypt, a promise he had made to Abraham. But He also kept His word to Abraham and to them in that He would bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey. But as they approached the land, the people reject the Lord and turn away. They would later enter the land by Joshua, but that rest was not the final one. Those in Christ have a sure rest promised, may we strive to enter into that rest and not fail to enter by the same sort of disobedience (Heb 4:8-11).

Family Discussion Questions

1. What do we do with passages which are so repetitive or seem to have nothing to do with us (Num 1 or 7)?
2. Reflect on Numbers 16, What does this reveal about God's view of sin?