"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Leviticus 27:14 - Numbers 1:54
"The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies; but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony." Numbers 1:52-53 (NKJV)
The children of Israel numbered perhaps two million as they waited before God at Mount Sinai. This was a season of organization and receiving direct instruction from God. Each tribe gained increased identity and found its place in Israel.
The priesthood was centralized in the tribe of Levi. They were given a very special place and responsibility. The very CENTER of Israel was the tabernacle. This represented the PRESENCE OF GOD in their midst. While different tribes (Reuben, Gad, Asher, etc.) had diverse jobs (particularly going to war!), the Levites only responsibility was VERTICAL -- toward God and the care of priestly matters.
It is interesting that God says that the Levites are to function "that there may be no wrath on the congregation" (1:53). What does this mean? Some might think that God is holding His finger close to the "smite" button waiting to pour our wrath if Israel messes up. There is, however, a better, clearer way of interpreting this passage.
Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (food, clothing, the essentials of life) shall be added to you." This is a wonderful promise which says that if we keep our eyes on the Kingdom, God will take care of needed additions to our lives. Let's look at that from a different angle however. Does Matthew 6:33 have a flip side? It would sound like this, "If you DON'T seek first the Kingdom, things will not go so well with you in the various details and needs of life."
Numbers 1:53 may be a different way of saying this truth, but throughout Scripture God says this: KEEP YOUR HEART (priesthood) CORRECT TOWARD ME, AND I WILL BLESS YOUR LIFE. By contrast, if you refuse to keep a God-ward heart, bad things can be released in your life. This is called "wrath" in this passage, but it could also mean "spiritual warfare will take its toll on you."
PRIESTHOOD IS PROTECTION. A godly, consistent upward dimension in life will release God's blessing. If we drop our guard, "Satan does about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 4:8). Let's keep our priesthood strong today!
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