Following the confirmation of the role of Aaron as High Priest, we now have two more chapters of description of the official duties of the priests. Today, we might find this kind of information difficult to understand and perhaps not very relevant, but it is worth taking the time to read it.

Not only does a reasonable understanding of Hebrew worship give us the context to understand parts of the New Testament, especially the concept of Jesus as a new high priest, but it also gives us an insight into what God expects from our worship. It is clearly not a free for all, and time and time again we are reminded that the focus of our worship is not ourselves, but the Lord.

When we understand the detail of the complex, structured and rules-based worship of the tabernacle, then we can truly appreciate the freedom that Jesus has won for us through his death and resurrection. The transformation is amazing, from tabernacle worship where only the high priest could approach the presence of God, to the new covenant where every believer can come near the presence of the Lord. This is a truly a wonderful freedom which the Israelites in the wilderness could barely have imagined!

Every time we come before the Lord in prayer, every time we lift up our hands in worship, every time we sense a leading of the Holy Spirit, every time we experience the tiniest glimpse of the glory of God, we are taking part in something that was won for us by God’s own sacrifice. As we reflect on the many chapters of regulations we have read during our time in Numbers, may we give thanks for the wonderful freedom that God has given us.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH