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The Tabernacle in the Wilderness
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| The Tabernacle in the Wilderness
The Place of Levi The first four chapters of Numbers explain how Moses numbered and organized the twelve tribes into an orderly camp (see diagram on page 80). The tabernacle is placed in the center of camp, immediately surrounded by Levites, who act as a protection and buffer between God and the twelve tribes, who are placed three tribes each on the four sides of the tabernacle. Similarly, when Israel is on the march, the Ark of the Covenant is in the center of the marching alignment, with Levites in front and in back of the Ark. The tribe of Judah always leads the march, a position that points to the future role this tribe will play in the leadership of Israel. What is striking is the central placement of the tribe of Levi, which is repeated throughout the instruction. Levi’s role as a buffer between God and the people is a result of their priestly p 94 election, after the golden calf, when the firstborn sons of Israel forfeited their priestly status. It is precisely this distinction between the priestly tribe of Levi and the lay status of the twelve tribes that is driven home throughout the camp instructions of Numbers 1–4. The Levites alone, purified in their priestly role, can camp around the sanctuary. In doing so, they provide a buffer to protect anyone else of the other tribes from coming too near the sanctuary without the necessary purification, lest the fire of God’s holiness consume the sinful people of Israel. At the end of the census, all the tribes are numbered except Levi. God sets aside Levi for priestly service and forbids Moses’ including Levi in the army or census. Twelve tribes will serve in the army of the Lord, but the tribe of Levi will serve only in the sanctuary. Recall that in Genesis 48, Jacob took Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as his own in Joseph’s place, raising to thirteen the number of tribes of Israel. Thus, thirteen tribes minus Levi (who cannot be numbered in the census) result in the twelve tribes of Israel. The camp instructions begin in Numbers 5 with an ordeal for suspected adultery, an ordeal that Israel failed because of their infidelity at the golden calf, as we saw in the last chapter. This small collection of laws ends with instructions regulating the Nazirite vow. The relationship between these regulations reveals that although the twelve tribes have lost their priestly standing through infidelity, they can take a Nazirite vow and live a temporary consecration to God, regardless of their tribe. The Nazirite instructions conclude with the law governing the great priestly prayer, which can be prayed only by Aaron and his sons. The blessing, known both as ha berakâh and the Aaronic blessing, is the oldest known prayer of Israel. Two silver bracelets dating to about 600 B.C were found in Jerusalem inscribed with this prayer: The L ORD bless you and keep you: The L ORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The L ORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Nm 6:24–26) The instructions continue, “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them” (Nm 6:27). From God to Adam to Noah to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to his sons, the narrative of Genesis followed the winding and p 95 widening path of God’s blessing. Now, God will bestow the blessing through his priests, the Levites, in the liturgy of Israel. Liturgy and worship are now the means to blessing, blessing that is open to all who call upon God’s name. Priesthood and Passover The instruction regarding the priestly blessing closes Numbers 6 and serves as a transition to the next section, Numbers 7:1–10:10, the ordination of the tribe of Levi and the laicization of the other twelve tribes. The laicization is described in Numbers 7, wherein each tribe is presented before the sanctuary to offer up to the Levites all their priestly utensils, the oil, flour, and goods needed for the liturgical offerings, and the animals to be used for sacrifice. Immediately following this, the Levites are ordained. While the events of Numbers 1–6 actually happen after Numbers 7, the laicization of the twelve tribes is recorded here to set up the description of the Passover observance held in the first month of this second year, at Mount Sinai (Nm 9). This Passover celebration is of tremendous importance. The first Passover aimed to teach Israel faith in Yahweh, while compelling it to renounce Egyptian gods. Unfortunately, Israel returned to idolatry at the golden calf. Because of that debacle, Israel cannot leave Sinai until they have once again dedicated themselves to Yahweh through the Passover worship, and denounced the gods of Egypt. Now, awaiting the Passover, Israel is reminded of the previous year’s events to give them hope that the Lord will complete their redemption by bringing them home. Only after the Passover sacrifice can they follow God through the wilderness to their homeland. Once the Passover is celebrated, the glory of the Lord descends on the tabernacle; worship lets loose God’s power and presence; Israel is finally ready to leave Sinai. Led by God’s Spirit, Israel breaks camp and is homeward bound at last. A CT 2: T HE T RAVEL N ARRATIVE tải về 6.33 Mb. Chia sẻ với bạn bè của bạn:
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