Num. 3-4
I have noted before that I believe the Israelites are a representation of all of God’s people – of us. Well, it seems to me that the Levites are to the Israelites as the Jews are to the rest of us. They are sort of the keepers of God’s promise and presence among us; the gateway to His redemptive plan. I’m sure one could deep dive into the role of the Levites and the role of the Jews overall in God’s story and make all kinds of comparisons. But for now, let me just say that it is just one more aspect of the fascinating, awe inspiring, multi-layered nature of this book God gave us so that we might have some understanding of Him and His plan to redeem us.
One other little thing I find interesting that struck me this morning reading this, is the importance God places on the East – the Tabernacle faces the East, and that is the side that Moses and Aaron set up camp. And If I remember correctly, Jesus returns from the East because, well, you know – the Son rises in the East. Coincidence? I think not.
Mark 12:28-44
“Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’” (Mark 12:29-31) Now, as my dad would say, to define what it means to “love”….I actually think the law gives some guidance with that, but it is still a difficult question.