What is the path to hearing the voice of God?
In this week’s weekly Torah portion (Num. 4:21 – Num. 7:89) we continue to read about the establishment of the priesthood and the initial worship of God in the Tabernacle in the desert. All the tribes of Israel brought gifts and offerings to God (Numbers 7) and then Moses goes into the tent of meeting and God speaks from above the mercy seat that was on the Ark of the Covenant (7:89). God spoke with man on earth through His prescribed way; the Tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices.
The tribe of Levi was set apart as a tribe of priests unto the LORD to serve in the work of the Tabernacle. Aaron was to serve as high priest and all the sons of Levi were to serve in some capacity in the Tabernacle worship. The priests were not nominated by a committee or elected to office. They were chosen by God and born into this office from the initial choosing.
If the priesthood was only by God’s choosing and by natural birth through the tribe of Levi, how can we, Jew and Gentile alike, come to God today?
Yeshua came as the final high priest of God who was to make atonement once for all mankind (Hebrews 5). Just as the priests were chosen and born into God’s service, so we today most be chosen by God and born into His service. Yeshua Himself said that we must be “born from above” in order to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). The Apostle Peter also instructs us that through our new birth we have become a “chosen race” and now belong to a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Today we have the awesome privilege of being born again, of becoming priests to God and we are able to communicate directly with God Almighty through our Great High Priest. Let us make the most of our esteemed position to go before God on behalf of others and be careful to listen to His voice today! (Hebrews 4)
Shabbat Shalom!
Torah portion: Numbers 4:21- Numbers 7:89
Haftarah portion: Judges 13:2-25