Torah: Numbers 4:21–7:89
PROPHETS: Judges 13:2–25
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: John 12:20–36

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: 
Raised Up to Serve
Numbers 4:21–37

Torah 2:
Counting Complete!
Numbers 4:38–49  

After counting the Kohathites (K), the fourth count continues by counting those eligible for Tabernacle service from the Levitical “households” of Gershon (G) and Merari (M) (see previous portion, b’Midbar, for the first three counts and the beginning of the fourth).

The instruction we read as “take a census” literally reads, “elevate (lift up) the heads.” Serving God involves being elevated out of an earthly domain and into a heavenly one (on earth)!

This “elevating” includes:
1) Counting them (G: 4:21–23; M: vv. 29–30; K: 4:1–3)
2) Clarifying their ministry job description (G: vv. 24–26; M: vv. 31–32; K: 4:4, 15)
3) Appointing them an immediate supervisor to lead them (G: vv. 27–28, cf. 7:8b; M: v. 33, cf. 7:8b; K: 4:19)

Application

Just as God ordered His community to travel through the wilderness and beyond into the Promised Land, He has ordered us today as well. Read Ephesians 1:18–23 and consider how God has lifted up Yeshua. We are called to follow in Yeshua’s footsteps. According to Ephesians 2:6, how has God “elevated” you and counted you among His treasured children (cf. Romans 8:15–16)? What kind of job description can you discern from reading Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 12:1–2? According to Ephesians 1:22, who is your ultimate authoritative leader? Where is He leading or what is He specifically calling you to do you that you have been resistant to obeying? How can obeying Him in this area fulfill a priestly ministry of worshiping God and leading others to do the same?

MONDAY

Torah 3 & 4

Torah 3: 
Keeping the Camp Pure 
Numbers 5:1–10  

Torah 4:
Israelite Vows and Priestly Blessing
Numbers 5:11–6:27  

God gives instructions for maintaining physical purity within the community (5:1–4, cf. v. 3 and Leviticus 15:31), maintaining moral purity within community relationships (vv. 5–10; cf. Leviticus 6:1–7) and maintaining marital purity within the “one-flesh” relationship of husband and wife (vv. 11–31; cf. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). God also gives instructions for entering into a Nazarite vow (6:1–8), dealing with an interruption of the vow (vv. 9–12), and what to do upon completion of the vow (vv. 13–21). This Nazarite vow served to set someone apart for service unto the LORD and thus helped maintain a pure testimony of God’s holiness to both the one making the vow and to all onlookers. Finally, when the “priestly blessing” is pronounced (vv. 22–26), what happens (v. 27)?

application

Where do you need God’s blessing today and the power of God’s Spirit bringing purity into your life? Take a few minutes and talk to God about it. Repentance and thanksgiving are powerful drivers of intimacy with God.

TUESDAY

torah 5 & 6

Torah 5: 
Tabernacle = God Dwelling With Man
Numbers 7:1–41  

Torah 6: 
Offerings and Sacrifices = Man Relating With God
Numbers 7:42–71

Both military and ministers have been counted. Israelite tribes and Levitical households are stationed around the Tabernacle. All Levitical Tabernacle ministers have been instructed. Thus, community life where a holy God is living in intimate relationship with an unholy people can now commence! Aaron and sons have been anointed for priestly service (cf. Leviticus 8) and are about to begin their ministry (cf. Leviticus 9). The community now comes together in worship and giving to support this new community-life-in-relationship with God.

First, Moses reviews the set up and preparation of the Tabernacle (Numbers 7:1) as well as Israelite tribes equipping the Levitical households with carts and oxen for carrying (vv. 2–11). Why does the Levitical household of Merari get four carts whereas Gershon only gets two and Kohath doesn’t get any?! (Hint: compare ministry job descriptions.)

Five tribes (vv. 12–41) followed by five more tribes (vv. 42–71) come to present their offerings and sacrifices over the course of the next ten days (v. 11). What do you think the Israelites felt as they awaited their opportunity to have their tribal leader approach God on their behalf at the newly consecrated altar where He had just revealed Himself and His glory in Leviticus 9:22–24?! Do you have that same sense of fearful yet excited expectancy about the LORD revealing Himself again and returning in glory (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)?