Numbers – Chapter 3

Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death. Numbers 3:38 – In the previous chapter we see the order of the encampments of the 12 tribes of Israel, but if you noticed closely nothing was said yet about where the tribe of Levi was to camp. Here in chapter 3 we get that answer, all around the tent of meeting between the people and then tent. Levi, being the tribe of priests and those who worked with the tent of meeting, were to act as a human wall between the people and the tent. Anyone who came near to the tent who shouldn’t come near to the tent was to be put to death. As you study more about the tent of meeting or the future temples, there was always this atmosphere of exclusion around them. Only a select few who were chosen by God were allowed near Him and His holy places. Yet do you remember when we studied Matthew what one of the first things that took place after Jesus’ crucifixion? The veil that separated us from the holiness of God was torn in two. It’s helpful for us to read passages like this to remind us how overwhelmingly blessed we are for the exclusion they felt we will never have to feel because of Jesus. Now, because of Jesus, we have open access to the Father. No veil shielding us from seeing Him and no human wall of priests keeping us at bay executing us if we get too close. Just a clear path lit by the Light of the world to the Father whose arms are open wide to embrace all those who turn to Him. That my friend is good news! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3353

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. Numbers 3:7 – Let’s focus on the phrase “keep guard” today. In this chapter we see it used multiple times as God is giving out the responsibilities to the different Levite groups. It’s the Hebrew word Shamar which means to keep something, to watch over something, or to preserve something. When it came to the duty God gave them, they were to guard it, to keep, watch, and preserve that thing. What then are we called to “guard?” What has God placed in our care to watch over and preserve? Here’s a few things, your spiritual life, your physical body, the lives of those God has placed within your story, your church family. The list could keep going, but our point today is we have something to guard. If we slack on our duty, lol what we are called to watch over won’t be watched over and as we see in our passage, outsiders could come in and have their way with it. So keep watchful and stay on guard duty over what God has placed under your care. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1419

Numbers 3 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁶“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. ⁷They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. Numbers 3:5-7 – God was setting the groundwork for His worship to be able to properly take place. In the verses prior we learn a little about the high priest Aaron’s family and come to find out that its him and his two sons who oversee all things involving the work of the temple. Now, if the place of worship was a permanent structure that didn’t need moved and they only worshiped every so often and there were just a few people that made up the nation of Israel, then maybe the three of them could cover. Yet, the place of worship had to be moved, and they performed their priestly duties throughout out each and every day. Also, the nation of Israel was more than just a few people. One commentator speculates that it would have been in total around 2,400,000 people at this time. And they had three priests. If that was where God left it, Aaron and his two sons would have been burned out and worship would have gone undone like it needed to. What we see though is God bring in an entire tribe of Israel to be helpers for Aaron. 22,000 men to be exact. As I was studying I found this quote in Matthew Henry’s commentary over this passage…”Those whom God finds work for, He will find help for.” If then God has called you to a large calling and the work in front of you is more than you at your best can handle alone, trust God will find you help. He wants His work done and He wants His servants well cared for. So step into your mission today, even if the help isn’t visible to you yet, and trust the Lord will take care of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2284