This is actually two days worth of reading, but I could not think of anything to write about Numbers 1-2. It is the results of the census of Israelites and also instructions on where each sub-section of the family is to camp within the camp structure. It kind of reminds of those traditional herbal medicine gardens, where each herb lives next to the one that complements it best, except of course these camping instructions makes no logical sense to me. They clearly follow a much greater plan.

Numbers 3-4 doesn’t have much more to write about. The Levites are singled out as Aaron’s servants, and a complicated deal is struck where the Levites are to replace the first borns of Israel as those who are “dedicated to God”. Each clan of the Levites is responsible for a different part of maintaining and dismantling the holy tent. If they do not do it right, of course, they die.

Dear God, It is inpenetrable to us how you see your children as all part of the one body, yet separate and with distinct roles. These chapters remind us of this. Please help me to understand your role for me on this earth, and help me do your work exactly to your specification. Thank you that, unlike in pre-Jesus times, you forgive me for when I fail in this job. In Jesus’ name, Amen.