Numbers 4 – 6
Verses 4:5 & 6 talks about the care given to temple objects:
5 When it’s time to break camp, follow these instructions: Aaron and his sons shall take down the screen curtain and cover the covenant chest. 6 Over that, they shall lay a sea-cow skin, and over that, a pure blue cloth. They shall then slide in the chest’s poles.
This chapter goes through the care of the temple objects. I find it interesting the procedures put in place to move the temple gear when on the move. I also question why it’s so critical that only a select few handle the objects or face death. Is it God raining death onto mankind or mankind killing those who touch the sacred items? I know there have been instances where God did destroy those who touch sacred things, but why was this the case?
As I read this yesterday’s reading is sitting in me and makes me wonder if reading the OT is folly since it points to Jesus, but has a bunch of stuff like this that does not make sense unless you really dig in and study to understand. Even when it makes sense it’s difficult to explain to someone with a basic foundation in the Bible. As I finish the last few months of this version I am faced with a decision on which way to go, find another version or focus on Jesus’ message and maybe tie in OT topics. I am sure God will prompt me when the time comes.
One other thing about the “sea-cow skin”, since the manatee is the sea-cow and as far as I know is not on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. As you look at other versions we see that is one of those words that never really came over from the early scriptures since it is a large aquatic mammal. Just one of those things that makes one wonder what it actually was. Maybe a “water buffalo”?
Chapter 5 shifts to a list of sins and the punishment that accompanies these sins. Verse 5:6 is one of those examples:
Tell the Israelites that sinning against each other is just like abandoning Me. All incur guilt, men and women alike.
This applies today; the only difference is the grace of Jesus. One thing we tend to get lost in is the idea Jesus’ grace covers all sins and therefore we are permitted to sin. This is far from the case and sin separates us greater knowing we are doing what is wrong than unintentional sins. I think both OT and NT explain the penalty of sin, but we tend to believe grace will cover all. This is true to a point, but if we know it’s wrong and still proceed I wonder what our cost really is?
Verse 6:2 starts a chapter on the Nazirite vow:
Tell the Israelites that when anyone of them, man or woman, takes the special Nazirite vow, which distinguishes this Israelite as set apart for Me,
I am interested in the significance of this vow and what it meant then. The vow described here is a period of one’s life where they honor this vow. Interestingly there have been those that appear to have a permanent vow, like Samson, but this has no real foundation in scripture unless someone deemed the “period” to be a lifelong pursuit. Anyway an interesting vow and curious about the eternal purpose.