Quiet time in Numbers (part 2)

Numbers 18
Setting - God is identifying to Aaron, that he and his tribe, is to attend to the priesthood.
Content - Aaron and his sons are to serve as priest inside the tent, which the Levi tribe is to server outside the tent of meeting. Also, no foreigner is to touch Aaron, otherwise that foreigner will die.
Application - God has purpose to what He lays out in life. Aaron and his decedents have been dedicated to the priesthood. At times, I’m sure that Aaron and his sons, may wanted to have another job, but God assigned a job for them. I may not always want the duties that God has assigned me, but it’s not my time of rest, which would occur when in heaven. Until that time, God has duties for me to attend to and to perform it wholeheartedly.

Numbers 19:1-10
Setting - Sacrifice of the Red Heifer
Content - Steps to follow regarding the sacrifice. With the ashes of the sacrifice, Israel was to use the ashes clean themselves when washing with water for purification.
Application - God provides a lot of instructions for purification. It’s obvious that God is very concerned about purity for His people. If this is important to Him it needs to be important to me.

Numbers 19:11-22
Setting - Defilement from touching or being around a dead person
Content - God outlines procedures for removing the defilement of a dead person for Israel. He provided specific steps for how an individual is to ceremonially clean themselves and other articles; otherwise they are to be cut off from the community.
Application - God provides specific steps on how to be clean. If a person does not follow the steps of removing the defilement, they are to be cut off from the community. Here again God makes specific requirements to keep His community of believers clean and from being defiled. God shows Himself true to this commitment in the New Testament (Acts 5:3-13), where Ananias and Sapphira lied against the Holy Spirit, God removed them from the community of believers by ending their lives. We also saw this with Ai (Joshua 7:11-26), where Achan hid some of items that the Lord banned Israel from taking (Jos. 7:21). It’s simple; God wants purity in His community.

Numbers 20:1:22
Setting - No water for the people at Maribah
Content - The people assemble again against Moses and Aaron because of the situation they are in. God tells Moses to speak to the rock for water to come out instead he strikes the rock. This act prevents he and Aaron (v.12, 24) from being able to bring Israel into the Promised Land. Also, Israel wants to pass through Edom, but Edom refuses them to pass through.
Application - God still provided water for Israel despite that fact that Moses was to speak and not strike the rock (v. 12). God still provides despite our foolish ways of following His commands.

Numbers 20:23-29
Setting - God speaking to Moses and Aaron, stating that Aaron will be gathered to his people (die) on Mount Hor.
Content - Moses taking Aaron’s garments and putting them onto Eleazar- Eleazar is stepping into Aaron’s role.
Application - Even though our influence in this life can be great, such as with Aaron, our days are still numbered. Is there a person to take our place like Aaron’s son Eleazar?

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