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Jeff Adams

Mirror Image

May 2, 2008

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.

  • http://thepoweroflove.us Kirk

    Jeff, Hope youi’re having a good vacation.

    It amazes me how you see and communicate Bible truths – still after so many years it amazes me. You simplify and clarify at the same time and it appears to come to you clearly and simply. I don’t know if this comes to you as easy as it has always seemed to me, is it gift or ability or both.

    As you’re speaking of mirror images, did you notice the two references you chose? Numbers 8:16 and numbers 18:6 – kind of a mirror image with the numbers. :-)

  • http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

    Now THAT is fascinating stuff, Dan. Thank you so much. You didn’t drift far from the post, you just lifted it into warp speed. Thanks! I’ll be thinking on this a while.

  • Dan Greenbank

    …..I hope this reply finds you back from vacation. I pray Cheryl and you are relaxing and enjoying yourselves.
    By the way, I “splurged” and ordered a Moleskine leather pouch for my cahier journals from Renaissance Art…….pretty cool!

    I know that my take on your post is not anywhere as devotional as your intent. But, the mirror is a fascinating device. It was used as far back in the Word(on Earth anyway) as Moses’ tabernacle (the laver water of Ex38:8)…..but Job’s talk of it probably even predates that when he discusses the “molten looking glass” (32:18).

    What is it about the glass? the silver backing(silver in the Word is a whole different study)? transparent gold?

    Weirder still is it’s connection in the Word to Visions (Gen 46:2 and others). Even in our world of fairy tales, stories, fables show the visions that come from mirrors: either “mirror, mirror, on the wall..” of Sleeping Beauty, or the strange vision of the water in the Lion King or the Little Mermaid. Visions are still connected to mirrors…..visions of the future, of the past….of a different dimension or reality.

    I personally am involved as a Director of a company that constructs fiber optic infrastructure around the country. More than my vocation, fiber optics interest me on several scientific fronts: communication over light? but also, as it relates to my reply to your post; the focusing of mirrors cause an optical cavity which aides in the communication over the different light waves.

    Mirrors as weapons? (Archimedes against the Romans)
    As a signaling device? (American Indians among others)
    Mirrors can offer true representations or morphed views(carnival mirrors)

    When I really stop and consider a mirror and what it does…….it’s a strange phenomenon…….it always displays the past……the image is a reflexion of what I looked like micro-nano-seconds ago….

    I know it’s all kinda weird. I don’t have much/any of it really figured out. Call it an ongoing curiosity or study.

    Have you considered? Thoughts? Sorry to have drifted so far away from your post’s intent….

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