Camping

O. T. #303  "Camping"
June 5, 2014
Numbers 1-Part 2
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.  Numbers 1:47


LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been camping? What few times I have can be counted on my fingers. To me, it is fun getting away from the routines, schedules, laundry, cooking, and mundane things of life. I do enjoy the outdoors. Mind you, we stay in a cabin with modern facilities, not a tent, anymore.

I am soooo looking forward to camping with my husband's family. Actually, they are my family, too. (I've been in this family for 41 years, so maybe that warrants it.) We have a few activities planned, but the highlight will be our evenings spent around the campfire. We share memories, songs, food, pranks. How the time flies. Three days will not be enough, or will it?

The LORD gave instructions about the camps of the Israelites. Continue for it.

The twenty year old and older males of the tribe of Levi were to not be numbered during this time. The Levites were the tribe of priests to serve in the Tabernacle, God's house. Moses and Aaron were included in this tribe. The Levites were excluded from this census and exempt from the military service. Later, we read that there were 22,000 males of the age one month and older (3:39); and 8,500 able-bodied priests from ages 30-50 (4:48).

The Levites were appointed:

• to be in charge of and responsible for the Tabernacle of the Testimony,
• over all its furnishings, and everything belonging to it;
• carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings,
• take care of it and encamp around it (so wrath would not fall on the Israelite community);
• to assemble and disassemble the Tabernacle whenever it moved,
• Non-Levites, strangers, going near the Tabernacle would be put to death.

Do we allow our pastor to be the overseer of our church building?


LET IT GROW

David Guzik says this about the first chapter:

In preparing to enter the Promised Land Israel had to be organized. God is an organized God and moves through organization even when we can't figure it out!God counts things. He counts and names the stars (Ps. 147:4; Is. 40:26). God knows the number of hairs on our head (Matt. 10:30). The Levites were not counted. some of the most important things can't be counted. God works mightily through things that can't be counted.

So, I wondered, what things cannot be counted? Love, salvation, mercy, grace, fruit of the Spirit, marriage, respect.
What can you add to this list?

The Israelites were to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. (verse 52)

Is our camp (home) an organized place?
What things are important in our home?


LET IT GO

Better organize my life.

Seek the Lord's directions.

Follow them.

Include others in my camp.

Look for things that cannot be counted.