Torah: Numbers 1:1–4:20
PROPHETS: Hosea 1:10–2:20 [2:1–22 TANACH]  
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: Romans 9:22–33  

The devotional below is designed to help you dive deeper into God’s heart by exploring Torah as the gateway into transformational Bible reading.

SUNDAY

Torah 1 & 2

Torah 1: 
Military Census
Numbers 1:1–19  

Torah 2:
Levite Exemption
Numbers 1:20–54  

Israel is camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 19:1 for arrival at Mt. Sinai). The Mishkan (Tabernacle) has been built and inhabited by God Himself (cf. Exodus 40:2, 17 for its building and Exodus 40:34 for its habitation). Now God instructs Moses, with the help of tribal leaders (Numbers 1:4 and 44), to count all Israelite males (except Levites) who are at least 20 years old and thus eligible for military service.

The military is counted (vv. 20–46). The Levites, however are excluded from the count (vv. 47–53). Why? For what purpose (see especially v. 53)?

Read Exodus 32:26–29, where Levites distinguish themselves after the Golden Calf incident. What is the reason that the Levites are singled out as God’s special servants?

Now read Matthew 10:37. Just as Levi’s offspring demonstrate faithfulness to God even at the expense of family and community relationships, so too do God’s children demonstrate an equally exclusive faithfulness.

application

Remember that just as God told Moses to count the Israelites, God already knew each one. He knows you too. Why not converse with God now, remembering that He has counted you, knows you better than you know yourself, and loves you more that anyone else ever could! In what ways does your exclusive faithfulness to God become defiled by self-interest, self-protection and pursuit of self-glory? (See 1 John 1:9 to handle this sin redemptively.)

MONDAY

Torah 3 & 4

Torah 3: 
God At The Center
Numbers 2:1–34 

God instructs Israel to “set up camp” around the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting, vv. 1–2). As you read the tribal arrangement, imagine it, or even draw it, kind of like a “target” with the outer ring consisting of Israelites (vv. 3–16 and 18–31) and the inner ring consisting of Levites (v. 17). On a target, attention is drawn to the “bull’s-eye.” In the community of Isreal, God resides in the center of the camp, within the heart of the community. At His command, and in this prescribed order, God will lead the community in a tribal caravan during all their travels (v. 34; cf. 10:11–13; Exodus 40:36–38).

In what ways is God at the center of your life? In what aspect of your life do you keep God on the periphery or out of the equation all together? Are other people’s attention drawn to God, His glory and His redemptive power, by looking at your life? What can you do today to put God first and bring Him glory?

Torah 4:
Surrounded By His Servants
Numbers 3:1–13  

In the r’vi’i (fourth section of the Torah portion), God explains much about His special Levitical servants: Moses and Aaron. It starts with some details of their family history (3:1–4; cf. Exodus 6:16–25 which traces Jacob’s son Levi down through Moses and especially his brother Aaron, who will become the priestly prototype). Next, God provides us a basic Levitical job description (vv. 5–10; cf. 1:49–53). Lastly, God’s word provides an explanation of the spiritual role of Levite first-borns who replace the blood-bought firstborns of the nation (vv. 11–13).

Read Exodus 13:2, where God instructs Moses about firstborns during the first Passover. Now read Numbers 8:15–19. What is the rationale for God’s ownership of firstborns according to Numbers 8:17? What is the rationale for God’s special claim on all the Levites according to v. 18? If you belong to Yeshua, then you too have been bought with blood (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20).

When we come together for corporate worship, do you know what we are doing? We are not just having a nice religious service, nor are we merely fulfilling our religious duty. Instead, we are blood-bought kohanim (priests) practicing for our eternal destiny. The Levites—who surround the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and serve God who resides within—are a picture for us of our future destiny where as God’s own, we will be His servants surrounding Him and praising Him forever (Revelation  5:9–14)! How does this image challenge your own understanding and experience of relating with God through our times of corporate worship?

TUESDAY

torah 5 & 6

Torah 5: 
Levitical Firstborn Census
Numbers 3:14–39

While the first count was of Israelite males twenty years or older (cf. 1:2–3), the second count is of Levite males who are one month or older (v. 15). After reminding us of Levi’s family tree (vv. 17–20), God tells us more details about Levi’s three sons: Gershon (vv. 21–26), Kohath (vv. 27–32), and Merari (vv. 33–37).

Each son’s “household” is
a) counted
b) stationed around the Tabernacle
c) given a more specific job description.

Notice that the Tabernacle’s entrance faces east. Which Israelite tribe camped eastward and led the way in the caravan (cf. Genesis 49:10 and Micah 5:2)? Which of the three Levitical family lines (“households”) has primary responsibility for caring for the sanctuary in general? Who among the Levites was stationed eastward in front of the Tabernacle entrance, but behind the leading tribe (v. 38)?    
 

Torah 6: 
Israelite Firstborn Census (Switcheroo) 
Numbers 3:40–51

The third count is of Israelite male firstborns who are one month or older (v. 40). Redemption, either by human (22,000) or financial (273) replacement, is mandatory. Not just firstborn people but firstborn animals must also be redeemed.

Where does all the money go (v. 51)? What is the purpose of this money, as well as all the Israelite tithes and offerings, according to Numbers 18:21–24?

application

How can we relate and apply these instructions regarding money to us, according to 1 Corinthians 9:7–14?