Numbers 3-4

Day 44

Finally, I'm here.  Showered and cleaned with a happy, napping baby and a satisfied-while- playing-upstairs toddler.  So, here we go!  :)  I love doing this!  First thing this morning though, I was tired, I was grumpy and I've been up off and on pretty much since 3:30am and I thought...oh heck!  I've gotta blog.  grumble....but that is why I do it....because I love it and its about making myself disciplined to find the time to dig into God's word.  Just in case you haven't noticed the little things around you today...LIFE IS GREAT!  :)  No matter how tired, how grumpy, how messy.....you'd just better enjoy it and embrace it all!  It's great and a blessing.  As Trace Atkins sings, "you're gonna miss this...."  

Chapter 3  Oh the Levites....weren't they special!?!  They were the priests and special family that were set apart for special service.....Moses and Aaron both belong to the tribe of Levi. Remember, this is one of the 12  tribes that are camped out here in the wilderness.  Each tribe is named after a son of Jacob clear back from Genesis 35.  Here are the sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.   So, the verse 11-13 where it talks about taking the firstborn, or the offspring, this is a reinterpretation of the ancient law found in Exodus.  And...instead of having to go into lifelong religious service, the firstborn are redeemed by a "sacrifice" for the Lord.    This time, the census in not military, but rather is associated with with firstborn who are redeemable from the age of a month.  These redeemable firstborns are not to be confused with your Sunday paper coupons.  They are of no value to the Lord....just to your local shopping store! :)  

The rest of this chapter breaks down which clan will have what responsibilities for the certain things in the tent of meeting/tabernacle.   

Chapter 4 I'm sure, like me and Dusty, you were wondering about this "sea cow" (depending on your translation).   Dusty's NKJ said "badger" or even the dolphin skin.   The NRSV says "fine leather."  I guess that's the main point...they are to use special coverings for the sanctuary.  Don't just throw your sackcloth over the items of the tabernacle.  The doplin/seal etc. are commonly found in the Mediterranean and  the items are sacred and to be cared for with holiness.  They might just seem like everyday items, but isn't it great that we can find holiness in the ordinary.  In the desert this hides from the marine animals (such as the sealion) are rare and valuable...that is what makes them even more appropriate for use in the tabernacle.  What a boring, depressing life we would live if we didn'tfind the holiness in the ordinary!  There is great holiness in the mundane....I'm learning that!  :)     

Go....do laundry, dishes, change diapers....and be holy!