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Today’s parasha is BaMidbar, meaning “In the Wilderness” and begins the book of Numbers covering Numbers 1:1-4:20. A little over a year has passed since Israel had left Egypt. They had been encamped at Mt. Sinai while God has been preparing them to march into the Promised Land. When they first left Egypt, they were a disorganized mass of former slaves. But now, they have Moses as their capable leader, God’s law to govern their behavior, Aaron and the priests to lead worship, and God’s presence dwelling among them to instruct, protect and guide them.
Just a few more details and they would soon begin their march, but first, God instructs Moses and Aaron to take a census of every male 20 years old and older, fit for service in the army.
God knew this task was too demanding for Moses and Aaron alone, so, in chapter 1, He appointed one man from each tribe to help them take count, and then report back to Moses.
God’s desire is for His people to work together and help each other. When we are faced with a task too great for us to tackle alone, it is made easier, and we are more effective, when we support and cooperate with one another. The larger the task, the more it will require organization and the delegation of responsibilities.
Because they followed God’s instructions and cooperated in an orderly way, the census was completed promptly, and the number of fighting men reported.
In chapter 2, we discover how God strategically positioned each tribe before they set out towards the land. Without God’s order, chaos would be inevitable. Positioned on the east side of the Tabernacle were the tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. They were first in line to march. On the south side of the Tabernacle were the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad. They were second to move out. On the west side of the Tabernacle were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. They were third to move out. On the north side of the Tabernacle were Dan, Asher and Naphtali. They were fourth to move out.
The Levites were in the middle, closest to the Tabernacle, surrounding it on all sides. God made it very clear that the Tabernacle would be at the center of His holy formation. Since the Tabernacle symbolized God’s presence with them, it remained a visual reminder that He would always be at the heart of every move they made.
Just as God’s presence was the central focus for Israel, His presence can do the same for us. When we choose to place God at the center of our lives, our thoughts, decisions and plans take proper shape and succeed. With Adonai leading us, we can have assurance and peace of mind.
Often times, we don’t see it, but God is continuously working behind the scenes, moving us forward towards our own Promised Land. For you, that may be a restored marriage, or being set free from an addiction, or experiencing freedom from negative thinking. God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways. He orchestrates circumstances according to His infinite wisdom, not our extremely limited understanding. Even when we don’t understand, or think we know best… when life seems chaotic and decisions difficult, we must trust Him.
Chapter 3 also involves a census of God’s people. Here the accounting is of the tribe of Levi, which has been chosen by God to care for the Temple and to represent the people before Him.
Why was this tribe, so comparatively small, chosen and entrusted with the privilege of priestly service? The answer is that they were the only ones to take a stand and rally to Moses and God at the time of the Golden Calf incident. They put to death the leaders of that sinful rebellion. From that time forward, this tribe alone would serve God in the Temple. What a tremendous privilege and a sobering call!
Like the Levites, when we follow God in faith, He invites us into areas of greater sacrifice and service. We may feel small and insignificant, but God sees our faith and grows it. God invites us to heed the call and be set apart to Him. Like the Levites, we must acknowledge that serving God is serious and sacred. At times it will be very difficult, but it is worth it!
In Chapter 4, Moses continues the census, but this census would highlight particular families within the tribe of Levi, and delineate their responsibilities at the Tabernacle. Wherever Israel set out, the Tabernacle went with them.
This census singled out 8,580 men ages 30-50 from three prominent families within the tribe of Levi. Why that age range? The tasks to which God called them required maturity, physical strength and endurance. They would be working closely with the sacred things in the camp. Moses could not risk poor judgment, frailty or inattention to detail.
Moses issued strict instructions, in accordance with the standard of holiness God had established for His people from the beginning. Whether it was the Tabernacle, the cloud of glory by day or the pillar of fire by night, God’s majesty lay ever before them. Even though God chose to abide in their midst, He separated Himself by dwelling in the Holy of Holies. That separateness needed to be maintained. Sinful man could not see, touch or even be in the presence of a holy God.
But, how blessed we are under the New Covenant! God calls us His friends. In Messiah Yeshua we see God clearly, not through a cloud by day or fire by night. God wrapped human skin around His glory in the form of His Son, Yeshua, and walked among us. And after our Lord’s death and resurrection, He sent His glory through His Spirit to dwell within us. And that glory within transforms us day by day…changing us from the inside out. The indwelling presence of God molds and shapes us, taking us from one level of glory to another, until that great Day when we will receive the fullness of His glory in eternity.