Lessons from Leviticus and Numbers
By Editor
We omit the rest of the book of Leviticus, having to do largely with rites and ceremonies, but containing many important lessons. Read it if there is time. We bring in Leviticus 23, as it has to do explicitly with the yearly feasts which Israel observed, or failed to observe, but which God gave for a purpose. We find in them the yearly, or ceremonial sabbaths set forth in contradistinction to the Sabbath of the Lord of the seventh day. Verse 38. We omit the first five chapters of Numbers, which pertain to the numbering of Israel, the order of their encampment, the princes of the tribes, the division of duties among the Levites and the priests, the redemption of the first-born, and other ceremonies connected with the institution of worship. We retain the 6th chapter because of the Nazarite vows, which we will read more about hereafter, and of the blessing which the Lord placed upon the children of Israel. We omit again the oblation of the princes, the purification of the Levites, etc., and make a new beginning at the 10th chapter, giving directions regarding the blowing of the trumpets and the marching of the hosts of Israel, and the extremely sad but important lessons of the murmuring of Israel for flesh, the speaking against Moses, the searching of the land, and the reports of the spies. Omitting the 15th chapter, we read in the 16th the lesson of Korah's rebellion. God's decided choice of the house of Aaron is set forth in the 17th. We again omit the ceremonial instructions in chapters 18 and 19, and read the interesting narrative of chapters 20 and 21, of Miriam's death and Israel's journeying around Edom, and the enemies they met in the way, closing with the wonderful 19th, 20th, and 21st Psalms. The first two ought to be committed to memory.