Jeff Adams

Reading the Bible is often like looking in a mirror. In fact, James makes that very comparison.

Yesterday morning I was reading in Numbers 8 where God is giving instructions concerning the Levites. God redeemed Israel from Egypt by smiting the firstborn of Egypt. As a consequence of this redemptive act he tells Israel that all the firstborn belong to him. He does not want them in actual sacrifice, but rather he continues the redemptive picture by saying that he is going to take the Levites to minister before him as a substitute for all the firstborn. Yet, there is an amazing principle stated in this passage. See if you can spot it.

For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary. Numbers 8:16-19

Did you see it? He takes the Levites and then he gives them as a gift to Aaron and his sons to do the service in the tabernacles. Several chapters later he spells it out even more clearly.

And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Numbers 18:6

Here’s what I found fascinating about this. In the New Testament Paul summarizes a principle taught throughout scripture. We sometimes refer to this as the principle of sowing and reaping, or giving and recieving. We reap what we sow. We give and receive. But, God takes and gives. The mirror image.

Vacation update: Thanks for those of you who expressed concern that I not blog. I won’t unless I just feel like it. I just felt like it this morning. My normal blogging time is late at night. Today, I am blogging while Cheryl is in the shower. We are at a wonderful hotel in Quebec City. Yesterday we walked around the old city and you can do that in about half a day. It’s not that big. We walked in and out of a number of quaint little shops. This morning we slept in and decided just to hang out and enjoy the nice room with a view. This is a fabulous boutique hotel. Breakfast was delivered to the door in a wicker basket. Very cool! This evening we are taking the train to Montreal where we are spending the next few days. But, we are glad to have been able to experience a bit of Quebec City.