Numbers 18-20
An Overview of Chapter 18
The duties and provisions of the priests and Levites are listed here.
The priests do all the work concerning the altar, the furnishings of the sanctuary, and everything inside the veil. Their provision were the grain, sin, guilt, and wave offerings as well as the wine, oil, and first fruits offerings. The first born were also given to them, but the humans and unclean animals were ransomed so they received the cash from the ransom.
The Levites assist the priests in all the work of the tabernacle that does not concern the holy things. Their provision came from the tithe of the people and they presented a tithe of the tithe to the priests.
An Overview of Chapter 19
A red heifer was to be slaughtered and burned outside of the camp. Its ashes as well as the ashes of cedar, hyssop and scarlet material are mixed with water and used to cleanse those who are unclean.
A reminder is given that people become unclean for seven days when they touch dead people, and they must be sprinkled with the purifying water on the 3rd and 7th day. Anything that the unclean person touches becomes unclean and anyone who touches those things is unclean until evening.
An Overview of Chapter 20
Jump ahead in time about 40 years and we pick up the story with the next generation of Israelites who are preparing to enter the land. Miriam dies and is buried. The people are angry at Moses and Aaron because their is no water. Moses and Aaron bring this concern to the Lord and He gives them simple instructions to provide water - simply speak take the rod of Aaron and speak to a rock in the sight of the people of Israel.
Moses and Aaron change God’s instructions and instead of speaking to the rock they yell at the people and strike the rock 2 times. Water is provided, but the Lord is not happy. He informs Moses and Aaron that they will not enter the promised land.
As the people get closer to the promised land they attempt to make a treaty with the king of Edom. They ask to pass through Edom and are twice refused so they travel around the area.
Aaron is told to go to the top of Mount Hor and die. He does and his son Eleazar takes over as the anointed priest. All the Israelites cry about Aaron’s death for a month.
Reflection
Do you help provide for those who minister at your church by giving tithes and offerings? Do you consider yourself unclean when you sin? If you are in sin can you rightly fellowship with God or His people? What must you do first? Do you misrepresent God when you act angrily against those who are unbelievers? Are you willing to follow God until your death?
For Further Study
Meribah: Exodus 17:7, Numbers 20:13, Numbers 20:24, Deuteronomy 33:8, Psalms 81:7, Psalms 95:8, Psalms 106:32
The duties and provisions of the priests and Levites are listed here.
The priests do all the work concerning the altar, the furnishings of the sanctuary, and everything inside the veil. Their provision were the grain, sin, guilt, and wave offerings as well as the wine, oil, and first fruits offerings. The first born were also given to them, but the humans and unclean animals were ransomed so they received the cash from the ransom.
The Levites assist the priests in all the work of the tabernacle that does not concern the holy things. Their provision came from the tithe of the people and they presented a tithe of the tithe to the priests.
An Overview of Chapter 19
A red heifer was to be slaughtered and burned outside of the camp. Its ashes as well as the ashes of cedar, hyssop and scarlet material are mixed with water and used to cleanse those who are unclean.
A reminder is given that people become unclean for seven days when they touch dead people, and they must be sprinkled with the purifying water on the 3rd and 7th day. Anything that the unclean person touches becomes unclean and anyone who touches those things is unclean until evening.
An Overview of Chapter 20
Jump ahead in time about 40 years and we pick up the story with the next generation of Israelites who are preparing to enter the land. Miriam dies and is buried. The people are angry at Moses and Aaron because their is no water. Moses and Aaron bring this concern to the Lord and He gives them simple instructions to provide water - simply speak take the rod of Aaron and speak to a rock in the sight of the people of Israel.
Moses and Aaron change God’s instructions and instead of speaking to the rock they yell at the people and strike the rock 2 times. Water is provided, but the Lord is not happy. He informs Moses and Aaron that they will not enter the promised land.
As the people get closer to the promised land they attempt to make a treaty with the king of Edom. They ask to pass through Edom and are twice refused so they travel around the area.
Aaron is told to go to the top of Mount Hor and die. He does and his son Eleazar takes over as the anointed priest. All the Israelites cry about Aaron’s death for a month.
Reflection
Do you help provide for those who minister at your church by giving tithes and offerings? Do you consider yourself unclean when you sin? If you are in sin can you rightly fellowship with God or His people? What must you do first? Do you misrepresent God when you act angrily against those who are unbelievers? Are you willing to follow God until your death?
For Further Study
Meribah: Exodus 17:7, Numbers 20:13, Numbers 20:24, Deuteronomy 33:8, Psalms 81:7, Psalms 95:8, Psalms 106:32
posted by Shaun Sells | 12:39 AM
1 Comments:
Pastor, your reflections always give me pause--they cause me to stop and reflect; and I find it both satisfying and traumatic... because so much of our daily life is filled with busy work, and in the work-place often people tend to have senseless conversations, senseless jokes, and just... clutter. Clutter and noise created by people running away from the Spirit of God, they will often do or say anything just as long as no reflection occurs... For to reflect deeply asks a lot of questions-that deserve answers and for many they unfortunately don't want either. That's why it's refreshing to enter in to this e-oasis, relax - knowing that after the overviews are read that our Pastor is going to reflect... and so will we. Thanks!
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