Renewing & Full Dedication

After Aaron’s sons wee killed, there had to be a renewing of the Tabernacle to remove that sin. Also, the people made a full dedication by tribe for the Tabernacle.

Because I can’t make the Law into a ‘first person story’, I’m skipping through a lot of it. I want to focus on where the ‘action’ is. At some point I may put the rest of the Law down in outline format; MAYBE. We are not under the Law any longer. Jesus fulfilled the Law. This does NOT mean that we are free to do whatever we please. Jesus gave us two commandments that sum up the Law: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31) When we do these, we are keeping the Spirit of the Law. This is what is required of us today.

So, in that spirit, we are going back to the Tabernacle with Moses and Aaron. There is some ‘renewing’ to be done because of Aaron’s sons’ sin. We also will bear witness to the whole camp, tribe by tribe, offering their dedication to the Lord. Let’s join our congregation as they present themselves to the Lord.

♥ ♦ ♥

The death of Aaron’s sons still hangs over the congregation. There is no doubt of their sin, or of the Lord’s right to judge them for it. Aaron and his remaining sons are not allowed to demonstrate their mourning. Their hearts can ‘hurt’ but it cannot be visible in their lives. The people are mourning for them. And yet, life goes on.

Aaron and his sons had removed their priestly garments the night of the Lord’s judgment and gone home. Aaron had returned to ensure that the lamps were still lit and that the fire in the altar was still burning. He had also performed the solitary sacrifice of the evening offering before returning to his tent.

Moses is standing at Aaron’s door first thing the next morning. Aaron steps out his door and almost collides with Moses.

“Moses. What are you doing here so early?”

“The Lord spoke to me and said that the deaths of Nadab and Abihu have changed things in the Tabernacle.”

Aaron’s heart catches at the mention of his sons’ names. Their loss is keenly felt; even if he is not allowed to express his pain. “I was preparing to make the morning sacrifice. What would the Lord have me do?”

“You will continue to make the morning and evening sacrifices, as He laid out to you. But you may not come at any time into the Holy Place behind the veil or you will die.”

Aaron’s face fell. This was a separation he had not experienced or expected. Until this point, he and Moses had moved about the Tent of Meeting, doing whatever was needed, wherever they felt the need was.

Moses saw Aaron’s reaction and understood it. But there was more to tell. “The Lord’s presence dwells above the Mercy Seat. It is a place MOST holy. The Lord is setting aside a special day each year, upon which you may come behind the veil. But ONLY after you perform His prescribed order of sacrifice.”

Aaron was glad there was for the slight exception. Since taking up the role of Moses’ voice, his life had meaning he never could have expected. Now, as the high priest to the Lord, he couldn’t imagine being separated from Him again.

“One day a year, the high priest will make atonement for himself and the people. On that Day of Atonement, incense and the blood of the sacrifice will be brought behind the veil.”

Aaron listened as Moses outlined the entire procedure, including the addition of a second goat for the sacrifice. This second goat would not be killed, but it would bear the people’s sins out into the wasteland. It would be the “scapegoat” for the people.

Moses and Aaron walked as they talked. When they reached the Tabernacle, they saw a large group of the leaders gathered there. They stood to the side of six wagons and twelve oxen. The leader of the group stepped up as Moses and Aaron approached.

“We wish to contribute these to the service of the Lord.”

Moses looked at what was being presented. Initially he was hesitant. He didn’t see a purpose for them. The Lord spoke to him and said, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” (Numbers 7:5)

“These will be most welcome when the time comes for us to move the Tabernacle on our journey” Moses said to the men.

Aaron nodded his head in agreement and smiles spread across every face. Moses would allocate these a little later.

The men continued to stand before Moses and Aaron.

“Was there something else” asked Moses.

“There is my lord. We, each tribe that is, wishes to make a special offering to the Lord for the dedication of the Tabernacle.”

Moses nods his head. “This is an excellent idea. Though, it is to be a gift offered freely to the Lord. Not one out of compunction. What would you offer?”

The men all began to speak at once. After a moment, Moses held up his hand. “One at a time please. In fact, one offering at a time also. We will do this by tribe; one tribe per day will bring their gifts before the Lord.”

The men were all in agreement.

Aaron went on into the Tabernacle to prepare for the morning sacrifice. He first changed into his priestly robes. Next, he checked the fire in the altar and the lamps. He had sent for a lamb befitting the requirements as he entered the courtyard. By the time his preparations were done, the lamb was waiting to be offered to the Lord. Eleazar had arrived in time to help his Abba with the sacrifice.

Moses remained with the leaders, discussing the arrangements for the special sacrifices. Each tribe would bring a sacrifice on successive days. The order for them to bring them would be: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. Each tribe would bring the same offering, thereby preventing any one tribe from claiming more dedication to the Lord than another.

For the next 12 days, Aaron and his sons would receive from the tribes: “one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old” (Numbers 7:13-17)

Aaron and his sons worked diligently offering each tribes’ sacrifice to the Lord. His family’s help had to be enlisted to consume the portions reserved for the priests. The portions returned to the people from the peace offerings were shared equally within each presenting tribe.

On the Sabbaths during this process, the regular prescribed offering for the Sabbath was brought before the Lord. This prevented the people from breaking the Sabbath. There was an atmosphere of thanksgiving and praise flowing throughout the during this time. And it lasted for two full weeks. Things would begin to settle down after this; for a time.

As Aaron and his two remaining sons worked in the Tabernacle, day and night, the Lord impressed upon Moses the need to spread the work out among the Levites.

(to be continued)

I had to do a little comparison reading before posting the “offerings” brought by each tribe. It took me a minute to figure out that they ALL brought the same thing. I had my spreadsheet ready and labeled. I’m glad I didn’t go any farther.

And, of course, I have some questions. During Aaron’s first week in the Tabernacle, did he do the daily sacrifices? Who was responsible for keeping the fires burning before God divided up the labor? A census was taken after the Tabernacle had been in operation for a month. Were Aaron and his two remaining sons responsible for everything until then? Did more priestly garments have to be made after the death of Aaron’s sons and the inclusion of the Kohathites in caring for the Tent of Meeting? Like I said, I have questions. They will probably have to wait until I can ask God Himself.

Father God, thank You again for giving me a curious mind. Sometimes too curious! I like looking into Your stories though and finding where they lead and how they fit together. I PRAY I’m not being disrespectful in skimming through the Law portions. I want to honor You in ALL I do, but I have no idea how to make these fit in. Maybe outlines at the end of the book. Keep me searching Your word Father. And keep Your stories fresh in my mind and heart.