Tues.’s Devo - The Law of Jealousy

Read: Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26
The three branches of the priesthood were the Kohath family, the Gershon clan and the Merari clan. The Kohaths worked in the tabernacle caring for the most holy things like the furniture and utensils used in the service of the tabernacle. They were to cover them with certain cloths. I like to think that the ones with the leather hides represent our skin and these are the ones that are in our hearts and the ones with blue cloths on them are ones that are in heaven also. Moses copied the ones God’s showed them in heaven. The Kohaths could cover the holy things but not look at them or they would die.
Eleazar, the high priest was to be responsible for the oil in the menorah, the incense, the grain offering and the anointing oil. He was in charge of everything that went on in the tabernacle because he stands for Jesus, our High Priest.
The Gershonites were responsible for carrying all the curtains and the ropes and the utensils from campsite to campsite. They called this “carrying burdens”.
The Merarite’s duty was to do the service of carrying the posts and frames, tent pegs.
These priests represent us. The Kohath which means “obedient and waiting”. The obedient get to be closest to God’s holy things. Gershonites means “outcast”. Jesus loves those that the world casts away. Merari means “my bitterness”. We all come to Jesus with disappointments and bitterness but he is the one who can put the oil and cleanse our hearts.
In Chapter 5 we read the law of jealousy if a man suspects his wife of having an affair with another man. I am reading in a Jewish Study Bible so it reads that if she drinks the water, says the curse and she is guilty then her private parts will shrivel and her belly will swell. This is a picture of a person becoming pregnant with no baby inside. She is also unable to have children after this. This is exactly what will happen to a person who claims to be a Christian but is not living it in his heart. He will look like all is well, but there will be no fruit. This woman will look pregnant but never bear fruit. Neither will we if we keep hidden sin in our lives. Guilt is Satan’s play ground and he will keep you there as long as he can. The way to escape is confession and repentence.
In Mark, Jesus nailed the Sadducees who didn’t believe in the resurrection. Instead of just asking him point blank if he believed in the resurrection they asked a question as if they did believe in it. Jesus saw right through the question and explained how scripture taught of a resurrection from the time of Abraham. Then another teacher of the law addressed Jesus as a fellow rabbi and asked him which was the most important law of all the laws. Jesus replied to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. The second most important was to love others as you love yourself. The teacher was very impressed with his answer and Jesus told him he was close to the kingdom. Not all of the scribes and Pharisees were tainted with their own religion. There were an elect few that earnestly sought the coming of the Messiah and were hungry for the truth.
Lord, may we meet people who are hungry for the truth and be able to encourage them in their quest for the kingdom.