Numbers 1-2

There are many verses in the Bible that refer to believers as a kingdom of priests. Exodus 19:6; I Peter 2:5&9; Revelation 1:6, 5:10 are only a few that liken our privileges and responsibilities as God’s children to that of a priesthood.

So I think it’s important for us to pay attention to what Scripture has to say about Old Testament priests. God uses them to draw us a picture as an example of what we are to look like this side of the cross.

Like here in Numbers 1:47-53. It’s a short paragraph, but it says so much. What it describes is the Levites’ responsibilty to protect and care for the Tabernacle of the Testimony. Not just the structure, but every utensil, every bowl, every thing concerning the sanctuary.

And (I love this picture) they were to pitch their own tents around the tabernacle. They became a human shield, not only to protect the holy structure, but to protect the people from encroaching on holy ground.

Anyone else who goes near it (the tabernacle) shall be put to death.

We know that the Tabernacle was the place where God lived on Earth until the Temple was built, and until Jesus’ death on the cross ripped the veil in two so that we have access to God. It was the job of the priests to protect the Presence, to care for that which represented the Truth.

Today, that responsibility falls on our shoulders. How do you think we are doing as a kingdom of priests, God’s Church in 2019? Are we protecting the Truth of who God is? Have we become a human shield that keeps Satan’s lies out of our midst? Do we even care if God is being misrepresented, maligned, and ignored in our world?

If we allow the world, non-priests (which are non-believers) to infiltrate our churches with their watered down versions of Scripture, or their lies, we are opening them up to be put to death. A serious, devastating eternal death. And we will not have done our job.

May we become that human shield, encamped around the Truth, defending it with fierce determination. God has not changed since He visited Earth in that Tabernacle of the Testimony. He is still Holy. He is still True. His ways are still the only way. May we be faithful to protect it with our eternal souls.