Day 54: The Tribe of Levi

 Today's readings: Numbers 3, Deuteronomy 3, and Psalm 87.

I. In the third chapter of Numbers, the focus is on the Levites and their special role in serving God and caring for the Tabernacle. The Ignatius Bible notes on their role:

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)

It sounds to me that these Levites acted like deacons in the New Testament, helping the priests. In the Old Testament, all priests had to be Levites, but not all Levites are priests.

II. Deuteronomy 3 continues Moses’ recounting of Israel’s final approach to the Promised Land, focusing on victory, inheritance, and transition. The utter defeat of King Og of Bashan is first told of, as well as the destruction of his lands, along with the distribution of the conquered territory to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh (3:1-20). Moses encourages Joshua to be strong and not fear for God will fight for Israel as He did with these overthrown kings (3:21-22). The chapter finishes with a sad scene of Moses begging God to allow him to enter the Promised Land with the Israelites, but God refuses because of his earlier disobedience (3:23-26). Instead, Moses is allowed to see the land from Mt. Pisgah and God tells him to focus on preparing Joshua to lead in his place (3:27-29). So a big theme of this chapter is that God’s promises stand firm, even as leaders change and consequences remain.

On the sad scene with Moses, the BIY Companion, Vol 1, comments:

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)

III. Psalm 87 is one of joy and celebration. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

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!

Day 53: The Twelve Tribes of Israel

Today's readings: Numbers 2, Deuteronomy 2, and Psalm 85.

I. In the second chapter of Numbers, God tells Moses the order of encampment and marching for the Israelite tribes. It can be confusing reading Numbers and Deuteronomy together, but it helps to remember that Numbers begins at the start of Israel’s wilderness wanderings (and follows much of that period), while Deuteronomy takes place 40 years later at the end, as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land. On this chapter of Numbers, the Ignatius Bible notes:

The tribes are assigned positions for camping and marching. The camp surrounds the Tabernacle and is made of an outer frame of lay tribes and an inner frame of Levitical clans. On the march, the eastern tribes set out first, the southern tribes second, the tribe of Levi third, and the western tribes fourth, and the northern tribes last. (p. 231)

I like the commentary from BIY Companion, Vol 1, about the relevance of such passages that may seem to be trivial, inconsequential, and irrelevant to us today:

As we have seen, the Tabernacle was the center of the Israelites' camp, with the Levite camped around it. The remaining twelve tribes were located to the east, west, north, and south, just beyond the Levites... The entire world would be blessed through the tribe of Judah with the coming of Jesus. Judah is on the eastern side, next to the Tabernacle, and Judah is the first tribe to march into battle... The arrangement of the Israelites' camp shows that God favors order. He brings order to a people who have just been released from slavery and lack order... Today, let your praise go up first, and center God in the midst of your life like the Israelites' formation around the Tabernacle in their camp. (p. 116) 

II. Now 40 years later, Deuteronomy 2 continues Moses’ recounting of Israel’s wilderness journey, focusing on God’s guidance and limits. The Ignatius Bible notes:

The final leg of the wilderness journey. At this time, the Israelites avoid conflict with the Edomites (2:1-8), Moabites (2:9-15), and Ammonites (2:16-25) but take up arms against the Amorite kingdoms of Sihon and Og (2:26-3:11). The account is interspersed with historical notes about the displacement of former populations in the region, such as the Emim (by Moab, 2:10-11), the Horites (by Edom, 2:12), and the Zamzummim (by Ammon, 2:20-21). In seizing Amorite lands by force of arms, Israel takes its place among the "conquerors" of the Transjordan. (p. 285)

III. Psalm 85 is one of lament. It seems like for every psalm of praise and celebration, there is another of lament or pleading with God for mercy. Such reflects human experience I suppose. The Ignatius Bible notes on this:

Sensing that God is unhappy with his people, the poets appeals to God's mercy in the past (85:1-3) in the hope that forgiveness will be granted in the present as well (85:4-7). He then learns by divine revelation that peace will come to those who return to the Lord in their hearts (85:8-9). This confirms that Israel's faith that God is merciful, faithful, and righteous (85:10-13). According to some scholars, the background of the psalm is the difficult period that followed the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon beginning in 538 B.C. Neglect of the duty to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple was the community's primary failure at this time (Hag 1:7-11). (p. 904)

That's it for today!

Day 52: Israel Continues to Journey

 Today's readings: Numbers 1, Deuteronomy 1, and Psalm 84.

I. The beginning chapter of Numbers is, well, all about numbers. That is, the first census of Ancient Israel. Specifically, the men of fighting age in all the tribes. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Numbers picks up where Leviticus left off, with Israel encamped at the base of Mt. Sinai (Lev 27:34). This is the setting for the initial chapters of the book until the march toward Canaan begins 19 days later (10:11-12)... Numbering the men of war is one of the final preparations made before Israel sets out from Sinai to seize hold of the Promised Land. The refusal of this army to march against Canaan in chaps. 13-14 will result in 38 additional years of wandering in the wilderness (Deut 2:14) until the next generation is counted by a second census (chap. 26)... (p. 229)

II. In the first chapter of Deuteronomy, we see that it takes place at the end of 40 years after the generation of the first census (Nu 1:1-2), just before entering the Promised Land. The book itself is essentially Moses’ final speeches, restating and applying the Law to a new generation. He recounts in this chapter the appointment of tribal leaders (1:9-18), Israel's refusal to enter the Promised Land after being paralyzed by fear and unbelief (1:19-33), and Israel's punishment by God for their rebellion (1:34-46). God chastised them by promising "not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers" (1:35). This also included Moses himself (1:37-38). Israel repented of their behavior and sought to fight (1:41), but despite being warned not to go, they were defeated by the Amorites (1:42-45).  Here, the first chapter ends.

III. Psalm 84 is one of joy and celebration. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It celebrates making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and worshipping the Lord in his sanctuary. The Psalmist yearns to stand in God's presence (84:1-4); he reflects on the journey (84:5-7); he makes intercession for Israel's king (84:8-9); and he praises the Lord as the source of blessing and the One worthy of trust (84:10-12). (p. 903)

That's all for today!

Introduction to Desert Wanderings

 

Today, there are no readings; instead, a video introduction to the next part of Scripture: the desert wanderings. Fr. Mike Schmitz is joined by Jeff Cavins for this. What is interesting about this period, as the BIY Companion, Vol 1 notes:

The number forty is important in the Bible, as it represents trials, difficulties, and testing. It rained for forty days after Noah built the Ark. Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days, and now Israel will experience their testing for forty years in the wilderness. The greatest change takes place in daily living. In obedience to the Law of God, Israel adopts new food, clothing, worship, and legal processes to set them apart from the practices of Egypt and the other nations. It is these new ways of living that set them free from bondage. Israel's obedient change of heart results in an ever-deepening freedom. (p. 113)

Day 51: Israel's Worship of God

Today's readings: Exodus 39-40, Leviticus 27, and Psalm 83.

I. Today's reading in Exodus begins with the making of priestly garments, and the work was finished (39:1-43). In the last chapter, Moses erected the Tabernacle with all the furnishings constructed according to God's command (40:1-33). After this, "the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle" as God visibly came to dwell with His covenant people (40:34-38).

Thus, the Book of Exodus concludes.

II. In the final chapter of Leviticus, the last regulations on votive offerings are given. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Regulations apply both to voluntary offerings of people, animals, houses, and lands (27:1-25) and mandatory offerings of firstling animals, devoted persons and things, and tithes (27:26-33). Such gifts were given over to the priests of the Tabernacle. Items that could be redeemed (= bought back and reclaimed by the person who vowed them) are assessed for their monetary value, with a 20 percent fee added (27:13...). Several regulations in the chapter only take effect when the Israelites become landowners in Canaan. (p. 222)

With this, one of the most difficult books of Scripture for modern Christians finishes. 

III. Psalm 83 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

The poet urges God to take action (83:1) against hostile nations that seek Israel's demise (83:2-8), just as he vanquished Israel's enemies in the days of the Judges (83:9-12). Pleas are made for divine retribution (83:13-17), although humiliation rather than obliteration is desired for adversaries - the hope being that judgment will cause all to acknowledge the Lord as the one true God (83:18)... (p. 902)

That's all for today!

Day 50: Sacrificial Offerings

 Today's readings: Exodus 37-38, Leviticus 26, and Psalm 82.

I. Today's reading in Exodus begins with Bezalel making the Ark of the Covenant (37:1-9). Then, he made the Table of the Bread of the Presence (37:10-16), the Lampstand (37:17-24), and the Altar of Incense along with the anointing oil and incense (37:25-29). In the following chapter, we are given descriptions of other things Bezalel also made, from the Altar of Burnt Offering (38:1-7), to the Laver and the Court (38:8-20), to various materials for the Tabernacle (38:21-31).

II. In Leviticus chapter 26, we are told of blessings and curses depending upon Israel's keeping of the covenant with God. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Obedience to the covenant will bring peace, prosperity, and protection in Canaan (26:3-13), while disobedience will bring distress, devastation, and death (26:14-39). Both lists build to a climax: the ultimate blessing is the Lord's presence among the Israelites (26:11), and the ultimate curse it Israel's exile among the nations (26:33), where many of the people will perish away from the Promised Land (26:38)... (p. 220)

III. Psalm 82 is one of legal sentencing and a plea for justice. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

The scene is a divine courtroom where the Lord presides as Judge (82:1). On trial are the corrupt judges of Israel, who are guilty of favoring the wicked and denying justice to the poor and powerless (82:2-4). For this, they are sentenced to death (82:7), despite the exalted titles that attach to their office ("gods" in 82:6)... (p. 901)

That's all for today!

Day 49: The Year of Jubilee

 Today's readings: Exodus 35-36, Leviticus 25, and Psalm 81.

I. Moses reminds the Israelites about God's command about the Sabbath (35:1-3), invites the people to freely give gifts for the Tabernacle (35:4-9), calls for skilled workers to construct it (35:10-19), and the Israelites respond generously (35:20-29). Finally, the skilled master craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab are acknowledged by Moses for the building of the Tabernacle (35:30-35).

In the next chapter, the actual construction of the Tabernacle is described.

II. Leviticus 25 lays out laws for sacred time, land use, and social justice in Israel, centered on trust in God and restoration:

• The Sabbath Year: No sowing or harvesting for profit, but whatever grows naturally is shared by everyone (owners, servants, foreigners, even animals). The land itself is treated as belonging to God (25:1-7). This sounds like a wise command to prevent overusing the soil. It also helps the Israelites to trust in the Lord to provide for them.
• The Jubilee Year: Every 50 years, private land is returned to original family owners, Israelite slaves are freed, people return to their ancestral property, and all sales of land are really long-term leases based on the number of years until the next Jubilee (25:8-17). I'm not even sure how this would work in our modern world if still required.
• The people are to trust that the Lord will provide for them (25:18-22) and all land belongs to God, with none of it being permanently sold (25:23-28). Rules are given for houses in walled cities and in villages, with the Levites having special protections for their cities and property (25:29-34).
• Israelites who fall into poverty shall be cared for, with no usury allowed (25:35-38).
• Rules given for the treatment of slaves, both Israelites and foreigners (25:39-55).

III. Psalm 81 is one of prophetic exhortation. The subtitle given to it, "God's Appeal to Stubborn Israel," gives one an idea of that. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It opens with a call to divine worship (81:1-5b); it includes a brief remark from the Psalmist, who received instruction from God by divine inspiration (81:5c); and it features the words of this divine message, which admonishes Israel to respond faithfully to God's voice (81:6-16). (p. 900)

That's all for today!