September 17

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR SEPTEMBER 17, 2024: NUMBERS 3, ACTS 7, PSALM 98                                              NUMBERS 3 LEVITITES MINISTRY AND PLACE IN ISRAEL

Often children go into the same profession as their parents. George W Bush followed George H. W. Bush into politics. Ken Griffey Jr. played for the Reds, as did his father. It was their choice, though. The Levites were told by God what they would do and even where to live. That’s not how Americans today function. We like to make our own choices. But wouldn’t it be a good idea to let the wisest being in existence, who made us and wants our best life, give us direction? Even today, we should seek God’s will about our job, spouse or singleness, place of residence, and especially how to live. In this chapter, God reminded the people of the death of Aaron’s sons due to their disobedience. Why might these deaths be referenced five times in the books of Leviticus and Numbers? Maybe to remind them/us to obey God. Then God said the Levites would be assigned to Aaron and his sons to service the tabernacle. But really, the Levites belonged to God, representing firstborn males* of all families in Israel: ”The Levites shall be Mine. For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I fatally struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt” (vs 12-13). 

The Levities were grouped according to the descendants of each son of Levi: 

  • Gershon—7,000 men over a month old. Camped to the west of the tabernacle. Responsible for the covering of the tabernacle and curtains of the courtyard. Reported to Ithamar. 
  • Kohath—8,600 men over a month old. Camped to the south of the tabernacle. Responsible for the Ark, the gold table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary. Reported to Eleazar. 
  • Merari—6,200 men over a month old. Camped to the north of the tabernacle. Responsible for the bars,pillars, bases, equipment, pegs, and ropes for the tabernacle and courtyard. Reported to Ithamar. 

*Firstborn of Israel-- There were 22,273 firstborn males in Israel and 22,000 Levite men. A collection of five shekels per man was taken up as a redemption price for the extra 273 men. Note that 603,550 (number of fighting age males) divided by 22,273 (firstborn males) would mean only 1 out of 27 males was firstborn. There is likely some missing factor not included in the text to account for this very low number. 

READING FOR SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 CONTINUED: ACTS 7                                                           ACTS 7 The charges were flying at Stephen from men who Acts 6 says were secretly induced to be false witnesses. There was one charge among the barrage, though, that did have some truth to it: Jesus would change some of Moses’s customs. So, when the High Priest asked, “Are these things so?” Stephen needed to provide the entire context for how Jesus fulfilled the Abrahamic Covenant and Mosaic law. His response reminds us that we can’t adequately understand Jesus unless we also study the Old Testament. Hang in there with Numbers. 

As Stephen begins his defense, he calls his accusers fathers and brothers, identifying with them because they are fellow Jews. He speaks of God appearing to their father Abraham. He reminds them of God’s promise to give Abraham the very land they were standing at that moment. He shows how God’s prediction of 400 years of slavery came true but also how God brought forth a deliverer in Moses—despite Israel’s initial rejection of Moses. (Rejection becomes an important theme.) Through Moses’s words, Stephen starts to connect to Jesus: “God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people” (Deut. 18:15). Stephen brings up Israel’s idolatry, including the golden calf, yet also God’s faithfulness through David, Solomon, and the temple. Then he quotes Isaiah about this earthly temple not being sufficient for a God who created all things. Next, he levels the most serious charge possible; they were uncircum- cised—at least in their ears and hearts. They, like their ancestors, resisted the Holy Spirit (remember this is unforgiveable), and killed Jesus, about whom the prophets wrote. As Stephen is stoned, he prays for his murderers, emulating Jesus. God begins the next phase of His church by placing young Saul at the scene, who watches approvingly not knowing what’s in store for him. Before leaving this chapter, let’s pray for those persecuted for Jesus today. 

PSALM 98 J.S Bach is often considered the greatest composer who ever lived. To the dismay of many academics, he also loved Jesus. In his work as music director at churches he took this Psalm’s command literally. He not only composed a new song each week, but an entire church cantata. No one at our church is quite up to this, but we can make sure our worship is fresh in that it truly expresses our current awe of and love for God. Let’s start by articulating some of the marvelous things God has done for us individually and collectively. Let’s praise Him for the time when salvation through Jesus was first made known to us and when we confessed Him as our savior. Let’s thank Him that Israel was the vehicle that God used to bring us Jesus and get busy communicating that fact with others. Let’s go a little Pentacostal by shouting and singing His praises accompanied by instruments. Let’s listen to the sea resound (maybe Prairie Creek), the White River clap, and the mountains sing. Why? Because even they know that Jesus is coming back and will be a fair and righteous judge.