The Kohathites
must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.
(Numbers 4:20)
Like Leviticus,
this section impresses upon the reader the holiness of God. The Kohathite clan
(one of three family lines descended from the sons of Levi) was being told, We’re getting ready to move out. It’s your
job to pack and carry the Ark of the Covenant, but you’re not allowed to look
at it or touch it. Sounds like a disadvantage to me. They were charged with
packing and carrying not only the ark, but all the holy furnishings and
implements of the tabernacle.
Special
instructions were given regarding the Ark of the Covenant. They were to take
the curtain that separated the Holy
Place Most Holy Place Ark. Ark.
Why the drama? Was God being picky? On the contrary, the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob is no prima donna. This was to highlight the holiness of God
and the special nature of anything (including not just things, but also persons,
tasks and events) dedicated to his service.
Are you giving the
things of God the respect they deserve?
They have a test for suspicions of an unfaithful wife, but nothing for the suspicions of an unfaithful husband. Sort of reminds me of the woman caught in adultery ... she was brought before Jesus but the man involved was not. Any thoughts on what appears to be these double standards?
ReplyDeleteMerry, This appears to be a double standard because it was a double standard... not on God's part to be sure, but on the part of the men who held the reins of power. When we read the rules about divorce (scanty though they be), we find they benefited the men, and barely offered the women any protection at all.
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