OUR readings begin with Leviticus 26, and close with Numbers 15. The last two chapters of Leviticus are of wonderful interest, the one consisting of awful and blessed prophecies and promises concerning Israel; awful if they fail to meet God's mind, blessed if they are always in harmony with His law. The sad thing is that they refused to do that, and they met the curses instead of the blessings.
CHAPTER 27 is a record of various laws concerning redemption; the last part of which contains the law of tithing — not a new law, because known before to Abraham and Jacob. The law simply shows how it was carried out in Israel.
THE first four chapters of Numbers give us much of detail that is not of special interest only as showing how careful God was in the numbering of His people, each tribe numbered by itself under careful census inspectors.
THE second chapter shows us under what perfect order the tribes encamped; each under its own standard, and then these subdivided so that three were under one larger standard. The four great standards were those of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan. The symbol of these standards respectively were said to be a lion, a man, an ox, and an eagle. Compare with the four living creatures of Revelation 4 and Ezekiel 1. Note the careful division of labor among the Levites; the putting outside of the camp all infectious and deadly diseases, and the various hygienic laws given in the books of Moses, which are the admiration of the best physicians to-day.
IN these chapters in Numbers we have two of the great transgressions of Israel recorded; namely, in lusting for flesh, and the traitorous conduct of the ten spies sent to search out the land. Among many scriptures worthy of memorizing in this week's lesson, let us take home to our hearts that found in Num. 6:24-27.
SELF is the only prison that can ever bind the soul;
Love is the only angel who can bid the gates unroll;
And when He comes to call thee, arise and follow fast;
His way may lie through darkness, but it leads to light at last. — Van Dyke.
