Day 55: Obedience to God

 Today's readings: Numbers 4, Deuteronomy 4, and Psalm 88.

I. In the fourth chapter of Numbers, Moses focuses on the duties of the Levite clans in caring for the Tabernacle during Israel’s wilderness journey: 

• The Kohathites are assigned to carry the most sacred objects (e.g. Ark of the Covenant), but are not to touch or even see these items uncovered (4:1-20).
• The Gershonites are responsible for transporting the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle (4:21-28).
• The Merarites are assigned the heavier structural components like the frames, bars, pillars, etc. (4:29-33).
• A census is taken of all Levite men aged 30 to 50, the age range for service and each group is given specific roles (4:34-49).

This is all the "muscle" or "blue collar" workers you could say of sanctuary service. As monotonous as this all may seem to us today, it actually shows a certain order, organization,  responsibility, and reverence they had for their collective worship of God.

II. Deuteronomy 4 gives us Moses urging Israel to remain faithful as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. We find a blend of warning, theology, and remembrance. 

• Moses commands the Israelites to listen to and obey God, which will make them a witness to the nations, showing God’s wisdom (4:1-14). 
• He warns them to avoid idolatry, lest it lead to their scattering among the nations in punishment; but if they do and repent and seek God sincerely, they will find Him. (4:15-31).
• He challenges them to remember that Israel has experienced God's uniqueness in history unlike any other nation (4:32-40).
• Moses mercy by setting apart three cities for accidental manslayers to flee for protection (4:41-43).
• The chapter ends with Moses giving an introduction to the Law, which will be outlined further in subsequent chapters (4:44-49).

III. Psalm 88 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

The speaker is sick, sapped of strength, and senses that death is near (88:3-4). To make matters worse, he is ostracized by friends and loved ones (88:8, 18). Day and night, he prays for the Lord's help (88:1, 13) because he believes that his suffering comes from the Lord (88:7, 14-18). The psalm, written before the full revelation of a blessed afterlife in heaven, expresses a dim view of death as something that terminates one's ability to praise God (88:10-11). (p. 906)

A very sad one this is. It makes one wish they could reach out and give the speaker comfort in their final days, like telling them of all that was to come through Jesus Christ.

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, notes:

Psalm 88 is the only psalm that ends in darkness, while every other psalm ends in hope, even in the midst of pain and discouragement. (p. 120)

That's it for today!