Numbers 3,4 - Today's Kindling

Begin your study with prayer for the Lord to open your eyes to see who He is more clearly and how to respond to Him more deeply in heart affections and horizontal, radical love toward others.

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S READING
Numbers 3 Summary
God reaffirms Aaron and sons and priests and sets apart the Levites to assist and care for the tabernacle with specific responsibilities.  The Levites take the place of the first born of Israel due the Lord.

Numbers 4 Summary
Three final clans of the Levites are given special instructions in their responsibilities in the tabernacle.  One of which was given a stern warning to not even look at the most sacred objects uncovered or they would die.

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Numbers 3
Numbers 4
(No New Testament Reading Today)

NOTES
WE ALL NEED TO BE REMINDED! - Numbers 3:4

At the beginning of entering the promised land the Lord reaffirms the calling of Aaron and His sons to serve as priests.  But in so doing He begins with reminding them that only two of the four sons of Aaron remain because of the severity of the Lord's judgment against two for "offering strange fire to the Lord"; this revealed a lack of careful humility and reverence in following the Lord's directions. We too need such reminders of God's past severity in our lives to remind us as His children through Christ that He will lovingly discipline us because He loves us and He loves His holiness. This was written to cause a proper fear to occur in the heart of Israel so to keep them safe in humble obedience. Can you recall one or more such stories in your life to help you do the same? 

GOD GIVES THE LEVITES AN AMAZING STEWARDSHIP -  Numbers 3:6-8; 25-26, 28,31; 36-37
God required the first born from each household to be fully dedicated for His sacred use. Yet, He calls the Levites to take the place for each of the first born sons of Israel.  God sets the Levite apart to be His to work under Aaron and Aaron's two remaining sons in performing the sacred duties of the sanctuary and to care for the tabernacle.  God has the Levites numbered and organized into three groups giving specific responsibilities to each in detailed delegation; they would care for different aspects and materials that made up the holy tabernacle. What a trust was placed in their hands. Oh let us realize we have an even greater stewardship as each one of us are priests of the new covenant through Christ. Give us grace, Oh Lord, to be faithful and walk worthy of such a high calling.

REDEMPTION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - Numbers 3:45-51

Our sin requires payment because God is just. Our payment for sin can be substituted - paid by another. Here we see that principles of substitute payment. The Levites were substituted for the first-born, but because there were more first born than Levites than first born, the difference was made up in silver payment.  Christ's death was our substitute payment in full.

MAN'S RESPONSE TO GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS - Numbers 3:51

They did "just as the Lord had commanded". God is God and we are not. He knows best, He loves most, He is bigger than us - what more do we need to know about Him to follow his commands? Let us do His will today.

DO NOT EVEN LOOK OR YOU DIE! - Number 4:17, 20

This Kohathite clan was given such a sacred duty that if they even looked at the most sacred objects uncovered they would die! They would have to be very careful to not violate this especially since they would be carrying them personally for a long distance each time the tabernacle was picked up and moved to the next battle.  This all seems a bit overkill for our 21st century view of God, but let us remember that God is jealous to be hallowed on earth and through Christ He will fully accomplish that in us - for we are His children through Christ who have the indwelling Spirit of God giving us increased comprehension of the glory of our God.  Note the responsibility earlier in verse 17 that God gives to Moses and Aaron to make sure they don't allow this looking to occur.  We have a responsibility to help our fellow brothers and sisters revere the Lord.  It is a loving thing to speak to one another of the glory due His name.

End with Prayers of:
Adoration - Praise Him and Boast in Him for who He is in today's reading.
Thanksgiving - Offer humble gratitude for big and small blessings in your life - at least 3 new things
Confession - Admit to the Lord areas you have resisted him or grieved him privately or in relationship.
Petition - Ask him for specific help for the many needs of others and you - that you may have power to do His will and see it today.