Life ordered and focussed on the centre

‘So (Aaron and his sons) will put my name of the Israelites and I will bless them’ Numbers 6:27

The first eight chapters of Numbers describe three ways in which the life of the Israelites was structured around God at the centre.

First, in Numbers 1-4, the twelve tribes are each ascribed places around the Tabernacle at the center of the encampment. On the east, south, north and west the tribes surround the Levites, and the Levites surround the Tabernacle. On the perimeter of the camp were the armed military, at the center were the Levites surrounding the tabernacle. In terms of place and literal geography, God was central.

Second, in Numbers 5-6, a different type of holiness is established dealing with first with minor issues such as skin diseases, then moving to the more serious issue of restitution for wrongs, before addressing the extreme cases of adultery. This system of holiness then culminates in rules for taking special vows, (something equivalent to becoming a monk or nun), and the Aaronic blessing through which the Lord blessed all his people. So in terms of behavior and lifestyle God must be central so his blessing will flow out from the center to the perimeter.

The third system of holiness, explained at length in Numbers 7-8, describes the institution of the priesthood and the setting apart of the Levites as a holy tribe to organize and run the tabernacle and offer regular sacrifices for the people. God established a hierarchy in worship through which holiness was personified in matters of time and spiritual authority.

So, God gave his people specific practices to do with; location, lifestyle, worship, and time to help them keep Him at the center of all their personal and corporate life. He did this to prepare them to take possession of the rich inheritance he had prepared for them.

As disciples of Jesus we need systems in our lives that help us do the same.

We should reflect on our lives and ask; Is my worship of the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of my weekly timetable?

When there is sin and spiritual damage in my life what systems do I have in place to help me focus and reorientate my life back on Christ? Practices and rhythms that bring me back to confessing my sin and repenting so that I seek again the blessing of forgiveness and the Spirit in the kingdom.

And what do I do to walk in and exercise the authority that I have in Christ? 1 Peter 2:4-10 states that I am chosen, I’ve received mercy, I am a royal priest in the living temple God is building. What am I actively doing to live in and exercise this authority in Christ?