Year 1, Week 15, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 15, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 1-2.

Today’s reading is Numbers 1-2. The events described in the Book of Numbers seamlessly begin where Leviticus ended. While the Book of Numbers will cover a time span of some forty years, the events that it records start two years after Israel’s exodus from Egyptian captivity. Since Exodus 19, the Israelites have been camped at the base of Mt. Sinai. The opening events recorded in Numbers finds them still at Mt. Sinai. Then they will move from Mt. Sinai when we get to Numbers 10. The Tabernacle has been finished for a month as Numbers opens (see Exodus 40:17). While we call the Book Numbers, since it involves a numbering or census at the start and toward the end of the Book; the title of the Book in the Hebrew Bible is “In the Wilderness”, for a key emphasis in the Book is the forty years that Israel will spend wandering around in the wilderness.  Numbers records why there is a delay in entering the Promised Land.

What struck me in today’s reading was the LORD’s design, through the arrangement of how the twelve tribes resided around the Tabernacle, for Israel to be continually mindful of the LORD’s presence: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2). The LORD instructs Israel on how they were to arrange themselves. But before the particular arrangement around the Tabernacle is specified, Israel is to take a census: “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company.” (Numbers 1:2-3). The purpose of the census seems to have special emphasis on military preparedness. Israel will soon embark on their wilderness journey toward the Promised Land. Along the way, they will face Canaanite nations and experience conflict. Preparations for war were underway. The census totals reflect the LORD’s promise to bless the descendants of Jacob with the ability to be fruitful and multiply (see Genesis 48:4). What began as seventy people total is now a fighting force of 603,550.

The tribes were not only counted but also coordinated in their arrangement around the Tabernacle: “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.” (Numbers 2:2). Three tribes (all descendants of Leah) will camp on the east side, and will be the first to proceed when the nation travels (Numbers 2:3-9). Three tribes (all descendants of a maidservant) will camp on the south side and will be second to depart as the nation travels.(Numbers 2:10-16). Three tribes (all descendants of Rachel) will camp on the west side and will be third in sequence as the nation travels (Numbers 2:18-24). Three tribes (all descendants of maidservants) will camp on the north side and depart last when the nation travels (Numbers 2:25-31) [The counting and arrangement of the tribe of Levi, will be taken up in a subsequent reading].

The LORD had declared that He would dwell in the midst of His people by residing in the Tabernacle: “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” (Exodus 29:45-46). The LORD arranged for the Tabernacle to be in the very center of the camp and instructed the tribes to face the Tabernacle. The focus of Israel’s daily life was to be upon the LORD. The presence of the LORD was to seize the nation’s attention. Israel begins their trek to the Promised Land in compliance to the LORD: “Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers' house.” (Numbers 2:34). Recognizing the centrality of the LORD would be their sure guide.

Life in the New Covenant for a follower of Christ is also very concerned with focus: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The centrality of Christ is essential to every aspect of the Christian’s experience: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-3). Our thoughts and affections are to be consistently directed toward Christ, for it is in Christ that we sort out our identity (who we now are), our morality (how we are now to live), and our destiny (what is to become of us). Like Israel, we too should live facing the LORD: "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe