Daily Bible Portion (Saturday)
Daily Bible Portion – 7 of 7
"IN THE WILDERNESS"
(Weekly Reading>>Numbers 1:1-4:20, Hosea 2:1-22, Hebrews 6:20-7:19, Luke 2:1-52)
The Kohaths
(Numbers Ch. 4)
Chapter four illustrates more detail about the work of the Levites and continues into the next study. The Lord asks for a second census of the men aged thirty to fifty years old who may come to serve in the work of the tabernacle. Starting with the men of Kohath, the second son of Levi, God gave instructions on how to transport the furnishings of the tabernacle. The Kohaths were the only clan allowed to handle the furniture, which was to be moved in a special way and in a specific order.
How to Move Camp
The Ark with the Mercy Seat
(Numbers 4:1-6)
The partition-curtain between the holy place and the most holy place was taken down and used to cover the ark. A second layer of tachash hide or fur of an animal covered the partition-curtain. A cloth of blue wool became the final wrap over the ark. Two staves placed on the sides of the ark made it easier to carry, as the ark was not allowed to be touched even in transport. These coverings were like the throne of Yahweh surrounded by the blue of the heavens. The Kohath priests carried all the tabernacle furniture on their shoulders and walked barefoot in unity. The coverings over the ark along with the components found in the gold and fur pelts, the sages suggest, created an electric field that could have killed them if they were not walking in unison.
The Table of Showbread
(Numbers 4:7-8)
A cloth of blue wool was placed over the showbread table (also called the table of presence). All the dishes and utensils were placed on the table. The twelve loaves of unleavened bread were also kept on the table. Over this was placed a scarlet wool cover, then a tachash hide to finish the dressing before the move. The two staves were put in place on either side for carrying. It is interesting that the sky blue cloth representing heaven was placed over the table before the instruments and the bread. Scarlet wool was placed next to the bread. Both represent Christ who came from heaven, whose body was broken and blood shed to give us life.
The Menorah
(Numbers 4:9-10)
The menorah was to be wrapped in a blue wool covering. Blue represents His heavenly Glory. All the utensils and oil were placed in a tachash skin bag that hung on a pole. The menorah was carried on a pole. It is said that the light that was created before the heavenly lights on day four of Creation was the true light.
Jesus spoke this during the Feast of Tabernacles as He stood beneath the giant lighted menorahs. It was reported that the light from these menorahs during the Feast was so intense that it could be seen all over Jerusalem. A short while later Jesus died, hung on a pole - The Light for all to see.
The Golden Altar
(Numbers 4:11)
The altar of incense was covered with a blue wool cloth, then with a covering of tachash hide. Two poles were inserted for carrying. This represents the praise rising in the heavenly realms as all declare His Glory.
The Articles
(Numbers 4:12)
All the articles used for ministry in the tabernacle were to be wrapped in blue cloth, covered with a tachash hide and carried on a frame. All represent His Heavenly ministry.
The Bronze Altar
(Numbers 4:13-14)
The last item of furniture mentioned is the brazen altar. The ashes were removed and carried separately. They spread a purple cloth over all the utensils used for this altar, followed by a covering of tachash hide over the whole unit along with two poles in place for carrying. The purple represents Christ's Kingly and Princely ministry in the order of Melchizedek.
The moving of the tabernacle furniture was the sole responsibility of the Kohathites. All the furnishings were carried balanced between two poles on their shoulders. The focus and responsibility these men had when traveling through the desert would not have been an easy task. How do we treat Christ/Yeshua's ministry today? Is it in the way these men cared for His ministry so many generations ago?
The High Priest
(Numbers 4:16-20)
Eleazar, the High Priest son of Aaron, was in charge over the entire tabernacle and given the responsibility for keeping and caring for the lampstand/menorah oil, the incense for the golden altar, the grain offering and anointing oil, especially when journeying through the wilderness. These elements are all symbols of our holy walks today in Christ, for without holiness no one can see the ministry behind these elements.
new study begins tomorrow...
"IN THE WILDERNESS"
(Weekly Reading>>Numbers 1:1-4:20, Hosea 2:1-22, Hebrews 6:20-7:19, Luke 2:1-52)
The Kohaths
(Numbers Ch. 4)
Chapter four illustrates more detail about the work of the Levites and continues into the next study. The Lord asks for a second census of the men aged thirty to fifty years old who may come to serve in the work of the tabernacle. Starting with the men of Kohath, the second son of Levi, God gave instructions on how to transport the furnishings of the tabernacle. The Kohaths were the only clan allowed to handle the furniture, which was to be moved in a special way and in a specific order.
How to Move Camp
The Ark with the Mercy Seat
(Numbers 4:1-6)
The partition-curtain between the holy place and the most holy place was taken down and used to cover the ark. A second layer of tachash hide or fur of an animal covered the partition-curtain. A cloth of blue wool became the final wrap over the ark. Two staves placed on the sides of the ark made it easier to carry, as the ark was not allowed to be touched even in transport. These coverings were like the throne of Yahweh surrounded by the blue of the heavens. The Kohath priests carried all the tabernacle furniture on their shoulders and walked barefoot in unity. The coverings over the ark along with the components found in the gold and fur pelts, the sages suggest, created an electric field that could have killed them if they were not walking in unison.
The Table of Showbread
(Numbers 4:7-8)
A cloth of blue wool was placed over the showbread table (also called the table of presence). All the dishes and utensils were placed on the table. The twelve loaves of unleavened bread were also kept on the table. Over this was placed a scarlet wool cover, then a tachash hide to finish the dressing before the move. The two staves were put in place on either side for carrying. It is interesting that the sky blue cloth representing heaven was placed over the table before the instruments and the bread. Scarlet wool was placed next to the bread. Both represent Christ who came from heaven, whose body was broken and blood shed to give us life.
John 6:49-51 "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." (John 6:35).
The Menorah
(Numbers 4:9-10)
The menorah was to be wrapped in a blue wool covering. Blue represents His heavenly Glory. All the utensils and oil were placed in a tachash skin bag that hung on a pole. The menorah was carried on a pole. It is said that the light that was created before the heavenly lights on day four of Creation was the true light.
John 8:12 "Jesus said, "I am THE Light of the World".
Jesus spoke this during the Feast of Tabernacles as He stood beneath the giant lighted menorahs. It was reported that the light from these menorahs during the Feast was so intense that it could be seen all over Jerusalem. A short while later Jesus died, hung on a pole - The Light for all to see.
The Golden Altar
(Numbers 4:11)
The altar of incense was covered with a blue wool cloth, then with a covering of tachash hide. Two poles were inserted for carrying. This represents the praise rising in the heavenly realms as all declare His Glory.
Revelation 4:8 "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh, God of heaven's armies the One who was, who is and who is coming!'" CJB (Isaiah 6:3; Amos 3:13; 4:13)
The Articles
(Numbers 4:12)
All the articles used for ministry in the tabernacle were to be wrapped in blue cloth, covered with a tachash hide and carried on a frame. All represent His Heavenly ministry.
The Bronze Altar
(Numbers 4:13-14)
The last item of furniture mentioned is the brazen altar. The ashes were removed and carried separately. They spread a purple cloth over all the utensils used for this altar, followed by a covering of tachash hide over the whole unit along with two poles in place for carrying. The purple represents Christ's Kingly and Princely ministry in the order of Melchizedek.
The moving of the tabernacle furniture was the sole responsibility of the Kohathites. All the furnishings were carried balanced between two poles on their shoulders. The focus and responsibility these men had when traveling through the desert would not have been an easy task. How do we treat Christ/Yeshua's ministry today? Is it in the way these men cared for His ministry so many generations ago?
The High Priest
(Numbers 4:16-20)
Eleazar, the High Priest son of Aaron, was in charge over the entire tabernacle and given the responsibility for keeping and caring for the lampstand/menorah oil, the incense for the golden altar, the grain offering and anointing oil, especially when journeying through the wilderness. These elements are all symbols of our holy walks today in Christ, for without holiness no one can see the ministry behind these elements.
Luke 2:30-32 "For my eyes have seen your salvation [Jesus], which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Nations and for glory to your people Israel."
new study begins tomorrow...