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Approaching God

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Approaching God
January 7, 2010

In the fourth chapter of the book of Numbers, Moses has written about the duties of the various clans of the tribe of Levi – the priestly tribe. In specific, Moses gives us great detail of what was to happen when the Israelites move to a new camp. Such a move of a million or more people was quite an event. The most critical part of any change of location was the moving of the Tent of Meeting. The Tent of Meeting or Tabernacle was of course where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and as the name implies, where God met with Moses. Only Aaron and his sons could enter the Most Holy place where the Ark was kept, and that is where Moses talked with God. They had very specific instructions for how and when they could handle any of the holy things. The fourth chapter tells us what all had to happen before the Kohathite clan could come in and carry off these holy furnishings.

Interestingly, when the Ark was to be moved, the Bible tells us that Aaron and his sons were to take down the shielding curtain and cover the Ark of the Testimony with it. Next they were to cover that curtain with a thick layer of hides from sea cows. Over the hides they were to place a blue cloth and then insert the carrying poles. Only then, with the Ark well covered, could it be moved. The Bible goes on to point out that if anyone from the clan of the Kohathites touched any of the holy furnishings, even though they were Levites, they would die. The very Throne of God on earth was to be shielded and unapproachable at all times. Only this clan would be allowed to even carry the ark and no one could ever see it in the general population. God’s meeting place was off limits. He was Holy.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 6, we have the ark being brought to Jerusalem by King David. Instead of carrying it, David has the ark brought up on a cart – moving it in an improper way. When the oxen stumbled and it seemed that the Ark would fall of the cart onto the ground, Uzzah reached out a hand to steady the Ark and died instantly. The Ark was untouchable.

We contrast God’s holiness as shown in the Old Testament with the birth of God himself in a manager in a cave in Bethlehem. The Holy God who could not be approached by the regular people now comes into the world in the lowest of places. His arrival is heralded to the lowest group of society – shepherds. He goes on to be known not only as the King of Kings but also as the Good Shepherd. What a transformation in the approachability of God. In the Old Testament, we see the emphasis on His Holiness. In the New Testament, while still completely holy, we have the incredible opportunity of approach God and in approaching him, call him our Father. We so often forget how radical an idea that was in Jesus’ day when he teaches his disciples to pray – “Our Father.” Paul will go on in Romans 8 to tell us that we are even the adopted children of God – co-heirs with Christ himself. Has God changed? How does he become so accessible when he was so inaccessible in the Old Testament?

The answer of course is Christ Himself. He bridges the gap between a Holy God and sinful man. His righteousness, imputed to us, allows us to stand before God. The gift of adoption is the highest gift we receive. If you are nothing else as a believer, you are a child of God – the son or daughter of the King. Your inheritance is His Kingdom and His presence forever. Find great joy in that fact. Praise God.

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Archive for the ‘Teachings 2010’ Category

Approaching God

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