Today's Reading:

Numbers 6
Numbers 7
Numbers 8
Numbers 9

 
Some men were unsure of how to handle the mandatory Passover celebration on the specific date when they were traveling or unclean. Instead of letting it go or making excuses, they went to Moses with the heartfelt question of what to do. Moses did not pretend to have all the answers. Instead of guessing, he went straight to the source. His honesty and humility took him to God. With that, God gave grace, He provided a way and a new rule: a second chance to celebrate Passover the following month. (Numbers 9:9-14). Whenever you are unsure, go to the Lord. Do not fear looking weak or ashamed by admitting you do not know. Instead, pray and pause and wait for His direction. Sometimes it is bold and bright- right in your face, like the unmistakable cloud lifting from the Tabernacle. Other times, the answer is subtle, a wait and see, where the cloud might linger for weeks or months. A quiet call to trust and walk in obedience. Waiting can be hard but teaches patience and dependence which deepens your faith. No matter what the outcome, God wants to be asked. He wants to meet us where we are in each decision so spit it out- “Lord, I do not know, show me.” His answer will come, and His grace is already there. 

 

 

Chapter 6 gave the rules for the Nazirite vow, which was an individual, self-control vow where one would dedicate themselves to the Lord. There were 3 main rules to follow: 

• Abstain from any part of a grape: wine, fermented drinks, grape juice, grapes, raisins, the grape skins, etc. This was to keep their self-control in check and possibly make sure there were no addictions. 
• Do not cut hair: letting the hair grow was an outwardly visible sign of their dedicated status.   
• Avoid dead bodies: To remain ceremonially clean, even if a family member passed away, do not defile themselves. A priest (but not the High Priest) was allowed to defile themselves to bury their immediate family only, but this was not allowed with the Nazirite vow as it would interrupt the holiness.  

The Nazirite vow was a strictness like that of the High Priest, and it would elevate their status of holiness. If the vow was interrupted the entire process had to be repeated- wait 7 days, to reset the clock, then shave off the hair and start all over. Once the vow was completed (Jewish tradition suggested a minimum of 30 days) they would bring specific offerings (lambs and bread) to the priest and shave the hair at the entrance of the Tabernacle and burn the hair under the peace offering sacrifice. 

A husband or father was allowed to void a woman’s Nazirite vow (Numbers 30) on the day he heard about it as this could disrupt the families, because if she was unable to complete and keep the vow then the responsibility would fall on the husband/father. There was seriousness to the obligation of keeping the vow.  

In the Bible there are a few examples of men who have kept the Nazirite vow permanently: 

• Samson: From the womb, he was called to hold the Nazirite vow (Judges 13:5) and his hair that stayed uncut was his superman strength from the Lord and sign of his consecration. 
• Samuel: Was dedicated by Hannah, his mother (1 Samuel 1:11) and never cut his hair, he served in the Tabernacle under the priest Eli. 
• John the Baptist: The angel commanded that he abstain from wine and alcohol (Luke 1:15) and was thought to live the lifestyle of a Nazirite, though Scripture never recorded him to be a Nazirite.  

The Priestly Blessing is always a good blessing to give to others as it comes straight from God, just like the Lord’s Prayer is always good when in need. To sum up the blessings: Won’t the Lord bless you as you are a child of God, won’t He protect you and stay in contact with you at all times, giving you protection, peace , and mercy. 

Chapter 7 reiterated the Tabernacle Dedication to remind the Israelites that each tribe had an equal commitment. Each tribe brought their offering over a 12-day period. The exact same offering, yes, you read the same paragraph 12 times. This was a set order in list of importance of the gift. The repetition was a reminder that all are the same, all are equal and not a single gift was left out or glossed over. No matter how big or small, whatever you give to God will be recorded. The same goes for today- your gifts on Sundays are all recorded, not by the church, but by God about where your heart is. Just as in the Next Initiative, your gift does not go unnoticed. What do I have to give? My heart. God values each person, their obedience and love. By separating out each tribe’s name over the 12 days, was a powerful image for the Israelites as a nation to dedicate the altar. 

Inside the Tabernacle/Tent of Meeting, God spoke- the voice from between the cherubim- like an Amazon Alex, but instead the  Holy God, speaking at the mercy seat. Since Moses was the mediator (prophet) he was not allowed inside of the inner Holy of Holies (behind the curtain). Just inside of the first part of the Tent to hear God’s voice. This did fulfill Exodus 25:22, where God promised to speak with Moses from the Mercy Seat.  

Chapter 8 set apart the Levites because they were willing to follow God and keep His commands. The priests Aaron and his sons were given the Levites as a gift of helpers. There was a difference to how they were set apart and purified. 

• The Priest: Made Holy, Anointed and Washed, New Garments, Blood was Applied. 
• The Levites: Made Clean, Sprinkled with Water, Shave Entire Body, Washed their Garments, Presented to the Lord as a Wave Offering by Aaron, Guaranteed retirement age of 50 (now that sounds fantastic!) 

Chapter 9 began the second year in the Wilderness at Mount Sinai. God told Moses to have the Israelites celebrate Passover with the given rules. Some men were “unclean” and asked why they were not allowed to participate. Moses was unsure of the answer, so he went to God and was given the answer to have the men wait 1 month , and then they could have a make-up day; a second celebration when they were clean again or back from traveling. To refuse to celebrate Passover resulted in banishment from the community. There was even a provision to allow the foreigners to participate as long as they followed the rules, which included be circumcised first.  

God continued to be with the Israelites as a cloud by day and fire by night. It was time to move along from Mount Sinai, and the Israelites would never know how long they would camp in each place; it could be a day, 2 days, a month or even a whole year. They packed and traveled on command when the cloud lifted, they moved, when it settled, they camped. Day or night it was total obedience to the divine signal of the cloud and fire. Like a game of red light, green light- no schedule, no anticipation of when to pack- could be one quick night or a whole relaxing year.  

Today's Discussion question: 

How does it make you feel knowing we don’t have to sacrifice animals every day to be right with God? Do you think it’s hard for people to accept that Jesus already paid the full price for sin?

 
Click here to link to our Facebook group for discussion, questions, and additional content.