Today's readings: Numbers 3, Deuteronomy 3, and Psalm 87.
The Levites are put in charge of assembling and dissembling the Tabernacle as well as moving and maintaining it (1:50-51). Because the great majority of Levites are not priests from the line of Aaron (16:8-10), whose family has exclusive rights to the priesthood (Ex 40:12-15), they forbidden to perform priestly actions (e.g., sacrifices, libations, and incense offerings) in connection with the altars and vessels of the sanctuary (16:40; 18:6). The Levites serve instead as assistants to the priests, taking on most of the manual labor required for the sacrificial services. Numbers describes them as a divine "gift" bestowed upon Aaron and his sons (8:19; 18:6). (p. 232)
God loves Moses, and he is a faithful man. But as leader of Israel, he is held to a higher standard. Moses is allowed to go to the top of Mount Pisgah to see the Promised Lan, but he will die without entering it. God always answers our prayers, but sometimes the answer is no. In refusing to answer our prayers in the way we want, God is always faithful and loving. He still loves Moses - and he loves us and knows what is best for us. (p. 118)
Jerusalem is praised as the epicenter of the world, the city found (87:1) and loved by God (87:2). She is the spiritual mother of God's people, wherever they may dwell (87:4, 6). Reflection on the universal significance of Zion may have roots in Israel's religious feasts, which is postexilic times brought pilgrims to the Lord's Temple from all over the ancient world (cf. Acts 2:5-11). (p. 905)
That's all for today!
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