Creative Space for Wanderers
and God tells Moses to put staffs representing each tribe in the Tent of Meeting for God to show the people who He has selected to care for the Tabernacle. Aaron’s staff sprouts overnight, even produces almonds, so he is definitively selected as the leader of the Levites. No real surprise here, though chapter 17 …
Number 10 records the first time the Israelites broke camp and moved from place to place. They now have to execute the plan that was presented, to form the ranks and manage the movement of the temple and, of course, all the people. No doubt this was a stressful time. It’s interesting to see Jethro …
The Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites have specific tasks to perform as part of their duties as Levites. Moses provides a process for a husband to determine if his wife has had sexual relations with another man, specific process and details. I don’t believe there is a law written for the other way around. Interesting. The …
and The census was for those 20+ who were able to serve in Israel’s army: 603,550 men; probably over 2 million in total (NIV Study Bible notes). That’s a lot of people wandering around in the desert!! Enormous emphasis is given to men and male children. No wonder we have a male dominated society and …
The theme of Leviticus might be this: Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy. As a nomadic people, their first question may have been, “how can we show the Lord our appreciation?” Instead of looking at …
Continue reading “More Laws and Feasts; Final Tabernacle Preparation”
and The scapegoat is introduced (Leviticus 16:8-10). Allowed to escape sacrifice, the scapegoat is set free into the wilderness. The rules are harsh from our perspective, but it seems that God has a significant battle to change the hearts of these people. I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do …
Cleansing: skin diseases, molds and discharges. Rules and procedures. The takeaway for me is being “unclean” marks you as an outcast, an untouchable. This might last until evening, a week or more depending on what unclean event has occurred. While there were probably practical reasons for all of these rules, it seems important to appreciate …
and “Aaron remained silent” after Nadab and Abihu were killed by fire for their unauthorized offering. Sadly, they defied orders and died as a result. Aaron was left with two sons that made another mistake, but apparently not at the same level of significance. Moses was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, but Aaron spoke in …