Our reading challenge for the day is Numbers 3-7. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
Numbers 3 - With the death of two of Aaron’s four sons, the priesthood is quite diminished. It was never large to begin with. God is able to use that which is weak to accomplish his purposes of forgiveness and restoration. But see how he raises up the rest of the tribe of Levi to a valuable work of assisting the priesthood. It is not only the pastor who is engaged in ministry.
Numbers 4 - Caring for God’s appointed place of worship is the kind of duty for manly men. We need more real men who are man enough to step forward and care for our places of worship, making sure that all is done decently and in order.
Numbers 5-6 - Notice how very concrete God’s means of grace are! Sacrifices really do something. When we pray that the Lord will show sin or innocence we expect a result. And all that we do is pointed at reconciliation of broken trust. See also the blessing which is so often used at the end of a divine service. This is the blessing upon the people of Israel when they are going to go out to take the promised land.
Numbers 7 - The tribes of Israel bring their offerings for the consecration of the tabernacle. God speaks to Moses as a sign that the offerings are acceptable in his sight. See how everything has been done according to God’s institution. We also receive God’s blessing in the way he has commanded it, coming before him in Word and Sacrament. We can have confidence that our Lord will bless his people.
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