by Dr. Jeffrey Feinberg

We always read baMidbar, In the Wilderness, in the month of Iyar.  Meanwhile, we count the days until God covenants to guide the nation to the Promised Land. The English Bible re-titles, as "Numbers," the narrative of our wilderness wandering experience, because God orders Moshe (on the first day of Iyar) to number the warriors (Num. 1:1-2a).

 

Eventually, a second census numbers the Levites, as a priestly inner tahor (ritually pure) circle surrounding the Tabernacle where God's Glory abides.  Since only the Levitical tribe did not worship the golden calf (Ex.  32:25-29, cf. Num.R. 1:12), this tribe is elevated for its zeal to guard the way to that glorious Presence which radiates holiness from the center of camp.

Firstborns, the former priestly heads of households, are literally exchanged for Levites--and even the cattle are exchanged (Num. 3:39, 43, 45, 51). In effect, the nation is reorganized from a nation of households to a national house that is protected, illuminated, and elevated by God's holy Presence.

Finally a third census is ordered, specifically counting the Kohathites of ministry age (Num. 5:3). These priests transport the most sacred objects --the copper altar, laver, table, m'norah, and golden altar. Mere gazing upon these objects before they are covered by the kohanim (Aaron and sons) brings death (Num. 4:15, 20). With the death of Aharon's first two sons in the background, this warning is far more than symbolic.

We are left to conclude that neither purity nor birthright nor proximity grants access to behold the glory God. Aharon and later his son could enter the Holy of Holies only once per year--and even that required formal corporate prayer, a cloud of incense, and the blood of both a personal and corporate sin offering. No one sees God and lives (Ex. 33:20; Heb. 9:7).

Yet in the New Covenant, we receive "newer and better" promises that grant access beyond the limitations of the physical Temple (Heb. 8:6-7). With eyes of faith, we have bold access to pray in the Presence of God (Heb. 10:19).  With eyes of New Covenant faith, we have the conviction of things "not seen" (Heb. 11:1). We pray pure and personal prayers in Yeshua's name (Jn. 1:18), and truly, we reflect God's glory to all creation when we pray. "The earnest prayer of a righteous has great power and wonderful results" (Jas. 5:16b).

With direct access made possible by Yeshua's atonement, let us abide in the Glory which Moses himself could not enter (Ex. 40:35), until called: "God ... who alone is immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light that no human being has ever seen or can see--to him be honor and eternal power, Amen" (1 Tim. 6:16).