The Book Of Numbers | A Journey Toward Human Freedom Under God's AuthoritySample

"The Holy Priesthood" 

In Numbers chapter 3 God explores a different form of “diorama.” Whereas the encampment communicates God’s heart for the collective redemption of his people, his focus upon the Levites and the priests highlights his desire for individual holiness among his people. 

In Numbers Chapter 3:1-4 God zooms in on the children of Aaron to address the set-apart tribe of the Levites. They were the redeemed group of men that were saved in the 10th and final plague in Egypt when God spared the young boys of those who smeared lambs blood across their doors. These boys, who were saved solely and wholly to serve in the temple of the Lord, were to be pure intercessors in worship; standing between a Holy God and a sinful people.

The priestly garments they wore spoke of great purity. Each piece of clothing represented a particular purity that is needed in order to completely cover and atone for the whole of the human race. The tunic covering the priest’s body was to atone for killing, the pants covering their legs for sexual transgressions, the turban for pride, the belt which wound around the heart for the improper thoughts of the heart, the breastplate protected against judgment, the ephod from idolatry, the robe from evil speech, and the crown from arrogance. 

Even further, the priest’s dress represented a microscopic view of the entire heavens. The backdrop of the blue robe set in place the scenery of the blue ocean, on which was laid what Philo believed to be the twelve jewels which not only symbolize Israel, but the twelve constellations in the night sky which hang over God’s creation. Over the sea was laid the ephod, which symbolized the land in the creation account, in which the 12 stones represented the central Garden that was placed in Eden. The stones not only pointed to God’s people and their place in the present, but it anchored them in their purpose of the past. Their purpose was once to dwell in the Garden within the perfect light of the Urim and Thummim of God’s guidance and presence.

In the New Testament, believers in Christ are called “priests,” and “temples” of the Holy Spirit. Meaning that to live under the authority of God, as Christians, we are called to exemplify purity and to resemble in our heart, dress, demeanor, character and creativity, the image and creation of God.