Day 26 Reading Schedule : Leviticus 26-27, Numbers1-3

Leviticus 26: Blessings and Curses

[Overview]

This chapter is the conclusion of all the ordinances in Leviticus, mentioning blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It appears to emphasize obedience to the commandments, with the same content as the conclusion of the Sinai covenant in Exodus 23. God prohibits idolatry and emphasizes Sabbath observance once again (verses 1-2). And He promises that those who obey the commandments will eat the abundant produce of the land and be protected from enemies (verses 3-13). However, He warns that those who do not obey the commandments will be destroyed by the invasion of enemies and their efforts will be in vain (verses 14-39). However, God knows the stubbornness of the Israelites and opens the way for them to receive blessings again through repentance in the midst of judgment due to sin (verses 40-46).

This chapter is the actual conclusion of the entire book of Leviticus, although there is also Leviticus 27. That is, in this chapter, the blessings for those who obey God's law and the curses for those who disobey are specifically and contrastively mentioned. These blessings and curses according to obedience and disobedience have a prophetic character that will be fulfilled throughout the history of Israel.

Leviticus 27: Vows and Tithes 

[Overview]

Following the previous chapter, which is the conclusion of Leviticus, this chapter is an appendix, and mainly deals with the regulations regarding vows and tithes offered to God. This is because tithes and vows had a particularly important meaning in Israel, a theocratic society. This chapter describes vows regarding people (verses 1-8), livestock (verses 9-13), houses (verses 14-15), and land (verses 16-25). These vows are not mandatory but voluntary, but once a vow is made, it must be kept, and in order to redeem it, a fifth of the amount must be added to the amount and offered to the priest. In addition, the firstborn must be offered to God (verses 26-29), and a tenth of all produce must be offered to God (verses 30-34).

Chapter 26 of Leviticus can be said to be the conclusion of the entire Leviticus regulations, and this chapter can be said to be an appendix to the entire Leviticus. The contents of this chapter are regulations on vows, regulations on the firstborn, offerings, and tithes, etc. After describing all the regulations of Leviticus, the regulations on vows were additionally recorded. In particular, the objects of the vows mentioned in this chapter are people, livestock, houses, land, etc. And the latter part of this chapter mentions regulations on tithes, which states that one-tenth of the produce belongs to the Lord.

Numbers 1: The First Census of Israel 

[Overview]

This chapter, which begins the book of Numbers, records the counting of the Israelites by tribe before they set out from Mount Sinai. Moses counted the number of men from each tribe who were twenty years old or older and able to go to war according to God’s command (verses 1-19). The total was 603,550 (verses 20-46). The Levites were not counted but were assigned to manage the tabernacle and perform religious duties (verses 47-54).

After successfully completing the Exodus by God’s grace, Israel conducted their first census in the Sinai Desert on the first day of the second month of the second year of the Exodus, or about 20 days before they began their journey in the wilderness. This census was conducted so that the Israelites could efficiently march through the wilderness and effectively proceed with the war to conquer Canaan. On the other hand, the census was not simply a task to confirm the population number. This is a sacred work that once again confirms how great and specific the grace of God, the true King of Israel, is.

Numbers 2: The Layout and Progress of the Camp Centered on the Tabernacle 

[Overview]

This chapter records the layout of the camps of each tribe of Israel centered on the tabernacle, following the battlefield where the census was conducted. On the east side of the tabernacle were the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (verses 1-9), on the south side were the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad (verses 10-16), and in the center were the Levites who lived with the tabernacle (verse 17). On the west side were the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin (sets 18-24), and on the north side were the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali (verses 25-31). After this, Israel began each march according to the layout of each tribe (verses 32-34).

After completing the census of the entire Israelites for an efficient wilderness march, this time, a scene is introduced of the tabernacle being placed on all sides, following each tribe, with the tabernacle at the center. This arrangement can be said to be a measure to always remember that the Israelites live centered on God and are a holy nation under God’s holy rule. A normal life, true peace, and prosperity are impossible for a person who does not center on God.

Numbers 3: The Duties and Families of the Tribe of Levi 

[Overview]

God set apart the tribe of Levi and declared them to be God's and to perform duties for the tabernacle (vv. 1-13). Then, He commanded the census of the tribe of Levi and assigned each of the Gershon, Kohath, and Merari tribes a role for the tabernacle (vv. 14-39). Finally, God said that He had made the Levites His in exchange for offering the firstborn of Israel to God (vv. 40-51).

Following the introduction of the census of the entire Israelites and the arrangement of the camps of each tribe of Israel centered around the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God's presence (refer to Num. 1-2), the sacred duties of the descendants of Aaron (priests) and the Levites who would now serve in the tabernacle are introduced. In fact, the most important part of the lives of the Israelites was to establish a complete relationship with God, so they could not help but be deeply interested in the natural tabernacle servants.