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TO CHEW ON: “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die.” Numbers 4:15.
Being a priest was a dangerous occupation. I’m sure after the death of his sons Nadab and Abihu due to their careless entry into God’s presence with strange fire (Numbers 3:4), Aaron, his remaining sons, and all the Levites were extra careful to obey when God said not to go into the tabernacle (Numbers 3:38) and who was and wasn’t allowed to touch any of the holy articles of worship when packing up the Tabernacle to move (Numbers 4:5,15).
Contrast that with Jesus, through whom this law system was fulfilled. After He died and rose again women held him by the feet and worshiped Him (Matthew 28:9) and He invited doubting Thomas to touch His scarred hands and side (John 20:27).
The book of Hebrews explains this development in the story of humankind’s redemption:
“Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant” - Hebrews 7:22.
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him… For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” - Hebrews 7:25,26.
I love that the word “harmless” is used here in the NKJV as a rendering for akakos (also translated “blameless,” “innocent” and "without guile or fraud".) It underlines the fact that now, we don’t have to be afraid to approach God because our death penalty has been paid — “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” - Hebrews 8:28. Because of Jesus we can come near to our Saviour.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life” - 1 John 1:1.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for satisfying the law with Your death so that I am redeemed and can approach God without fear for my life. Amen.
PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 40
The Bible Project VIDEO: Numbers (Read Scripture Series)
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Thanks for reading! This year we are using The Bible Project "Timeless Reading Plan" to read through the Bible in 2018. If you'd like to read along in your own Bible, you can download a pdf of the reading plan HERE.
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