Numbers 8

The dedication of the Levites is a substitute for the Lord’s command that all the first born belong to God. The implication is that ideally, every firstborn male would serve the Lord at the Tabernacle.

Numbers 7

For the transportation of the Tabernacle, the holy objects are carried while they received gifts of ox carts to carrry the rest. Never noted that detail before.

Numbers 6

This is the law of the Nazarite, someone who makes special vow to the Lord, for what is not specified, but Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as “Nazarene”, connects gospel here in ways I do not fully understand.

Numbers 5

I thought the opening of expelling anyone sick from the camp was heavy handed, but the “law of jealousy” that justifies a man putting his wife through a barbaric ritual to determine if his feelings are just?

Numbers 4

It is a census of and duty assignments to Levites charged with packing and carrying the Tabernacle parts as the people move toward the Promised Land. This is before they get bumped to the 40 year Exodus?

Numbers 3

The tribe of Levi is set up to take charge of the Tabernacle, to form up as an inner defensive square, and to be taken by the Lord in place of the first-borns as commander in Exodus.

Numbers 2

The twelve tribes, numbered for war, are now set up in a box formation, 3 tribes to a side, around the Tent of Meeting.

Hebrews 9

For those who have labored to read and understand the Torah, the law of Moses, this chapter provides an incredible primer and connection to God’s intent and our Lord Jesus.

Numbers 1

The deal is getting real, there is a census of the men of Israel to determine those fit for war.

Hebrews 13

To conclude the book, the writer offers a list of what is good and proper for those who follow Jesus.

Hebrews 12

From the life and example of those of faith in chapter 11, we are called to live such lives of faith, persevering to the end to glory.

Hebrews 11

This is a hero-list of faith, the writer looking back to those who believed and lived for the Lord in the time before we had Jesus.

Hebrews10

Jesus as high priest and sacrifice, what it means, what it means to turn from, what expectations it offers moving ahead. This is the new covenant.

Hebrews 8

How do we get from Old Testament to New Testament? Paul addresses this but to condemn those who want to impose the law of Moses on the church. What is the transition? We get that here, in the theology of the High Priest, in what we are to think about and understand in what put in motion with the High Priest. 

Hebrews 7

Our focus is so much on Jesus as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world that it is easy for this theology, this way of thinking about our Lord Jesus, as high priest and what that means, can feel very foreign to us.

Hebrews 6

The most powerful promise that can be made in all creation, God swearing by Godself. Reminds me strangely of Gollum swearing by the One Ring in Lord of the Rings, but in our case, the promise is absolute and binding.

Hebrews 5

The focus of Jesus upon the role upon the role is central Hebrews to Hebrews. This is somewhat different from the Gospels, where the authority of Jesus on earth is kingly. As he is son of David.  But at the time of Jesus, the king was of the family of Herod, disconnected from David and from religiously legitimated rule. Thus the focus on high priest?

Hebrews 4

The context of heaven and everlasting life is shaped by the language of the Old Testament. Where God promises, God’s people, a Sabbath rest, the promised land, forever. Again, in the language of the old testament call, mom comes through of Jesus, our high priest.