Bamidbar (Numbers)
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Meaning
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Day Five
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Haftara
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B'rit Hadashah
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1 Our Father, we receive Your Words and hide Your commandments with us; 2 we incline our ear unto wisdom, and apply our hearts to understanding; 3 We cry after knowledge and lift up our voices for understanding; 4 we seek it as silver; and search for it as for hidden treasures; 5 We declare that we shall understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Declaration of Proverbs 2:1-5
Numbers 18:1-14 (NASB)1
1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 8 Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, "Now behold, I Myself have given you charge of My offerings, even all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel I have given them to you as a portion and to your sons as a perpetual allotment. 9 "This shall be yours from the most holy gifts reserved from the fire; every offering of theirs, even every grain offering and every sin offering and every guilt offering, which they shall render to Me, shall be most holy for you and for your sons. 10 "As the most holy gifts you shall eat it; every male shall eat it. It shall be holy to you. 11 "This also is yours, the offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the sons of Israel; I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you as a perpetual allotment. Everyone of your household who is clean may eat it. 12 "All the best of the fresh oil and all the best of the fresh wine and of the grain, the first fruits of those which they give to the LORD, I give them to you. 13 "The first ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours; everyone of your household who is clean may eat it. 14 "Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.
The rain has come overnight. Yesterday was such a gift, even though most of it was spent inside on the Ladies' sewing day. When I arrived there, I opened all the curtains and the back door so that we could enjoy the sunshine and fresh air in the back annex where our 'workshop' is located in the church. God is good! Yesterday, we had a visit from one of the ladies and her daughter who moved away last summer. Bonus: I didn't need to use my cane and if the previous two days are anything to go by, my recovery from this bout may be much shorter than the initial one six years ago. Since everyone I know has named their mobility appliance, I also decided on this practice. I've named my cane: Michael.
I'm still blown away by that dead stick that belonged to the tribe of Levi that had ALL three manifestations of life on it! I sampled the comments of Charles H. Mackintosh and discovered some of his 'pearls of wisdom'.
“Thus the question was divinely settled. Priesthood is founded upon that precious grace of God which brings life out of death. This is the source of priesthood. It could be of no possible use for man to take any one of the eleven dead rods and make it the badge of the priestly office. All the human authority under the sun could not infuse life into a dead stick, or make that stick the channel of blessing to souls. And so of all the eleven rods put together; there was not so much as a single bud or blossom throughout the whole. But where there were precious evidences of quickening power — refreshing traces of divine life and blessing — fragrant fruits of efficacious grace — there and there alone was to be found the source of that priestly ministry which could carry not only a needy but murmuring and rebellious people through the wilderness.”
Commentator Mackintosh wrote about the staff of Moses. Could it have been that the one submitted with Aaron's name on it for the tribe of Levi could have been the one Moses used at the beginning? Only one staff for each tribe, you see. The fact that it was labeled with Aaron's name instead of 'Levi' was the key. In the end, it doesn't matter exactly which rod was used. It may well have been one that Aaron used exclusively. Then Charles Mackintosh brought out some provocative notes about the staffs of Moses and Aaron.
“And here we may naturally inquire, "What about Moses' rod? Why was it not amongst the twelve?" The reason is blessedly simple. Moses rod was the expression of power and authority. Aaron's rod was the lovely expression of that grace that quickens the dead, and calls those things that be not as though they were. Now, mere power or authority could not conduct the congregation through the wilderness. Power could crush the rebel; authority might strike the sinner; but only mercy and grace could avail for an assembly of needy, helpless, sinful men, women, and children. The grace that could bring almonds out on a dead stick, could bring Israel through the wilderness. It was only in connection with Aaron's budding rod that Jehovah could say, "Thou shalt quite take away the murmurings of the children of Israel from me, that they die not.'' The rod of authority could take away the murmurers; but the rod of grace could take away the murmurs.”
With all due respect, Charlie Mack sure had a way with words! What he said about the rod of authority as related to grace is such a blessing. One does not take away from the other, but the two can work together in authority and grace! Many believers separate authority and grace. They profess a God of love Who is only 'love' and there is no mention or teaching about His righteousness and power. Then we also have the other end of the spectrum of believers who are obsessed with God's power and his wrath but leave no room for His love or grace! They're taught to observe many extra-Biblical commands including dress (women must wear dresses and never cut their hair and the men must control their families almost to the extent of cruelty) together with the avoidance of all 'worldly' things. The list of worldly 'things' to avoid is different with every branch of these churches dominated by a single 'pastor' who wields so much power. The love of Jesus doesn't exist there. If they dare to transgress, the mindset is that they are 'doomed to hell.' To dare to question these church leaders is unthinkable! This is the testimony of so many that have been saved from these controlling churches and their chief controlling so-called 'pastors'. I left a link below for us to sample the testimonies and historical research in the books available by some of these mind cult survivors.
In the record today, God lines out the important responsibility that the priests and the Levites who served must maintain. They were not to take their duties lightly. The duties of the priests and those of the rest of the Levites were outlined clearly. No other 'stranger' shall infringe on this calling by God. Even a member of Israel who was of any other tribe was not to intrude upon this calling. It was exclusively for Levi.
1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. Numbers 18:1-7.
For Aaron and sons ONLY in the holy precincts (to be eaten or used “at work”)
For Aaron and sons AND daughters, wives, bought servants—all who were “clean” in their houses
Numbers 18:9-14: the holy things
We see that the female members of the households of the priests were allowed to eat the meat and all the offerings that Yah gave to the priests for their portion. This was because the daughters were in the care of their fathers until they were married. After marriage, they were ‘covered’ by their spouses. If they became widowed then they could return to the house of their father and once again they would be ‘covered’ by their father not just for their daily sustenance but his protection as well. If her father were no longer alive, then she could go to the house of one of her brothers, usually the firstborn. Women were treated with respect and given protection in Israel in those days. I once heard a church member state categorically that women were treated badly in the early days of Israel and I didn’t feel led to correct her, because I knew better. But I could tell that this person had never read the first three-quarters of her Bible. You will find this too if you turn over the Torah long enough. A casual statement can give them away. It isn't to get 'anything over' on them! But it is helpful to understand them and to know how to pray for them.
In the aftermath of that horrible time for Israel, there are so many lessons we can take away with us. A good one is to know and be content with our place in God. When we realize that the least bit of pride can balloon into tragedy and misery, we’re careful to keep ‘our place’. I am aware that this phrase, "know your place" is tainted by the rhetoric and animosity of the racial prejudice that was practiced well into the decade of the sixties. I've heard a newer version that isn't so associated with that racial rhetoric. Perhaps I can say that "we need to stay in our own lane". We can not only be careful, but quite content to do so! It is a small thing to question ourselves when we get to feeling a tad ‘offended’ or ‘prideful’ and it pays with big dividends. There have been many times I’ve questioned my attitude about something or someone. I ask Him, “What is up with this? Why am I feeling like this?” I don’t know about you but I’d rather self-correct than go so far that our Father has to do it. Tomorrow, we shall continue as there are more details regarding the benefits of the priesthood. There is no calling that God offers that doesn't reap benefits. Our Father God remunerates generously!
I'm still blown away by that dead stick that belonged to the tribe of Levi that had ALL three manifestations of life on it! I sampled the comments of Charles H. Mackintosh and discovered some of his 'pearls of wisdom'.
“Thus the question was divinely settled. Priesthood is founded upon that precious grace of God which brings life out of death. This is the source of priesthood. It could be of no possible use for man to take any one of the eleven dead rods and make it the badge of the priestly office. All the human authority under the sun could not infuse life into a dead stick, or make that stick the channel of blessing to souls. And so of all the eleven rods put together; there was not so much as a single bud or blossom throughout the whole. But where there were precious evidences of quickening power — refreshing traces of divine life and blessing — fragrant fruits of efficacious grace — there and there alone was to be found the source of that priestly ministry which could carry not only a needy but murmuring and rebellious people through the wilderness.”
Commentator Mackintosh wrote about the staff of Moses. Could it have been that the one submitted with Aaron's name on it for the tribe of Levi could have been the one Moses used at the beginning? Only one staff for each tribe, you see. The fact that it was labeled with Aaron's name instead of 'Levi' was the key. In the end, it doesn't matter exactly which rod was used. It may well have been one that Aaron used exclusively. Then Charles Mackintosh brought out some provocative notes about the staffs of Moses and Aaron.
“And here we may naturally inquire, "What about Moses' rod? Why was it not amongst the twelve?" The reason is blessedly simple. Moses rod was the expression of power and authority. Aaron's rod was the lovely expression of that grace that quickens the dead, and calls those things that be not as though they were. Now, mere power or authority could not conduct the congregation through the wilderness. Power could crush the rebel; authority might strike the sinner; but only mercy and grace could avail for an assembly of needy, helpless, sinful men, women, and children. The grace that could bring almonds out on a dead stick, could bring Israel through the wilderness. It was only in connection with Aaron's budding rod that Jehovah could say, "Thou shalt quite take away the murmurings of the children of Israel from me, that they die not.'' The rod of authority could take away the murmurers; but the rod of grace could take away the murmurs.”
With all due respect, Charlie Mack sure had a way with words! What he said about the rod of authority as related to grace is such a blessing. One does not take away from the other, but the two can work together in authority and grace! Many believers separate authority and grace. They profess a God of love Who is only 'love' and there is no mention or teaching about His righteousness and power. Then we also have the other end of the spectrum of believers who are obsessed with God's power and his wrath but leave no room for His love or grace! They're taught to observe many extra-Biblical commands including dress (women must wear dresses and never cut their hair and the men must control their families almost to the extent of cruelty) together with the avoidance of all 'worldly' things. The list of worldly 'things' to avoid is different with every branch of these churches dominated by a single 'pastor' who wields so much power. The love of Jesus doesn't exist there. If they dare to transgress, the mindset is that they are 'doomed to hell.' To dare to question these church leaders is unthinkable! This is the testimony of so many that have been saved from these controlling churches and their chief controlling so-called 'pastors'. I left a link below for us to sample the testimonies and historical research in the books available by some of these mind cult survivors.
In the record today, God lines out the important responsibility that the priests and the Levites who served must maintain. They were not to take their duties lightly. The duties of the priests and those of the rest of the Levites were outlined clearly. No other 'stranger' shall infringe on this calling by God. Even a member of Israel who was of any other tribe was not to intrude upon this calling. It was exclusively for Levi.
1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. Numbers 18:1-7.
For Aaron and sons ONLY in the holy precincts (to be eaten or used “at work”)
- Numbers 18:8: the most holy things
- Every meat, bread, sin, and trespass offering
For Aaron and sons AND daughters, wives, bought servants—all who were “clean” in their houses
Numbers 18:9-14: the holy things
- The heave offering (right shoulder)
- The wave offering (wave breast)
- First fruits: oil, wine, wheat, clean animals
- Anything that was devoted, set aside or vowed to God (fields, cattle, etc)
- Every firstborn of cattle (given for sacrifice, food, or personal use of the priests and Levites)
We see that the female members of the households of the priests were allowed to eat the meat and all the offerings that Yah gave to the priests for their portion. This was because the daughters were in the care of their fathers until they were married. After marriage, they were ‘covered’ by their spouses. If they became widowed then they could return to the house of their father and once again they would be ‘covered’ by their father not just for their daily sustenance but his protection as well. If her father were no longer alive, then she could go to the house of one of her brothers, usually the firstborn. Women were treated with respect and given protection in Israel in those days. I once heard a church member state categorically that women were treated badly in the early days of Israel and I didn’t feel led to correct her, because I knew better. But I could tell that this person had never read the first three-quarters of her Bible. You will find this too if you turn over the Torah long enough. A casual statement can give them away. It isn't to get 'anything over' on them! But it is helpful to understand them and to know how to pray for them.
In the aftermath of that horrible time for Israel, there are so many lessons we can take away with us. A good one is to know and be content with our place in God. When we realize that the least bit of pride can balloon into tragedy and misery, we’re careful to keep ‘our place’. I am aware that this phrase, "know your place" is tainted by the rhetoric and animosity of the racial prejudice that was practiced well into the decade of the sixties. I've heard a newer version that isn't so associated with that racial rhetoric. Perhaps I can say that "we need to stay in our own lane". We can not only be careful, but quite content to do so! It is a small thing to question ourselves when we get to feeling a tad ‘offended’ or ‘prideful’ and it pays with big dividends. There have been many times I’ve questioned my attitude about something or someone. I ask Him, “What is up with this? Why am I feeling like this?” I don’t know about you but I’d rather self-correct than go so far that our Father has to do it. Tomorrow, we shall continue as there are more details regarding the benefits of the priesthood. There is no calling that God offers that doesn't reap benefits. Our Father God remunerates generously!
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. 15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Psalm 89:14-15.
1 NASB www.lockman.org for daily reading and KJV in commentary unless otherwise specified
William Branham Historical Research (william-branham.org)
William Branham Historical Research (william-branham.org)
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