Numbers 3 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Gordon Wenham’s commentary in the Tyndale provides an interesting discussion on ritual. Quoting M. Wilson, an anthropologist, “Rituals reveal values at their deepest level . . . men express in ritual what moves them most, and since the form of expression is conventionalized and obligatory, it is the values of the group that are revealed. I see in the study of rituals the key to an understanding of the essential constitution of human societies.” Wenham p. 30.
“In short, if we do not understand the ritual system of a people, we do not understand what makes their society tick. It is not without purpose then, that more than half of the Pentateuch, always considered the most authoritative section of the Old Testament, consists of ritual regulations, instructions about building the tabernacle, laws on sacrifice and festivals and so on” Wenham p. 30-31.
Victor Turner, who was studying the Ndembu tribe in Zambia, at first ignored their ritual. Later, he wrote, “Eventually, I was forced to recognize that if I wanted to know what even a segment of Ndembu culture was really about, I would have to overcome my prejudice against ritual and start to investigate it” The Ritual Process p. 7
Wenham then continues to discuss the founder of modern critical study of the Old Testament, Julius Wellhausen, who considered freedom and spontaneity good, while organization and ritual bad. So, what follows is the spontaneity is early while organization is late. This relates to dating and what critical scholars considered authorative.
This is a challenge to us. In trying to stress the importance of faith in Christ, we come perilously close to misunderstanding and minimizing the importance of membership, baptism, communion, and worship service attendance. In trying to elevate what is of supreme importance and point to the essence of our faith, we do not need to minimize other “rituals” that God has commanded. We sound confused because we are confused. Why do we want people to come to church to learn and worship and yet tell them once they are here that baptism, communion, or membership is not important? I realize I am using a broad brush, but I think you have witnessed these tendencies.
Wenham continues is his introduction. “What then is the essence of religious ritual in the Bible? It is a means of communication between God and man, a drama on a stage watched by human and divine spectators. Old Testament rituals express religious truths visually as opposed to verbally. They are the ancient equivalent of television; the ancient equivalent of radio was probably prophecy and prayer” Wenham p. 33.
When it comes to these Old Testament books, we need to ask ourselves why do we find ourselves bored with what God has revealed and include in the canon? We might find that we are looking for certain things instead of accepting what is revealed. We should challenge ourselves to keep digging for (and accepting) what God has revealed.
Wenham contrasts preaching with sacrifice. “. . . but to bring a whole bull, kill it, skin it, chop it up and then watch the whole lot burn on the altar, would be quite another matter. . . . Without doubt these Old Testament rituals were a prodigiously powerful teaching medium; the most eloquent modern preacher is dumb by comparison” Wenham p. 34. One author commented that even in liberal churches the gospel is preached every time communion is celebrated. We do not need to minimize preaching and teaching to place our two sacraments in the correct priority, but we must not diminish the importance of our sacraments either. And it is no good to say, “That sounds like Catholicism to me.”
The other observation I’m sure you noticed is how organized the nation was. The camp was organized. Every time they camped; the tabernacle was set up only by the Levites. And within the Levites, according to 3:17, the Levites had certain duties. The sons of Gershon (3:24) had specific duties associated with the tabernacle; in 3:24, the Kohathites were to camp at a certain spot, and they were required to complete their tasks; and finally, the Mahlites in 3:35 were told where they were to camp and their duties.
Then notice that each tribe was told where they would set up tents when they stopped. On the north the only tribes were Dan, Asher, Naphtali; on the east Judah, Isaachar, Zebulun; on the south Reuben, Simeon, Gad, and on the west Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Every time they camped, the camp looked the same way (chapters 1 and 2, see 1:52 and 2:34). They was nothing willy-nilly about this process. God is an organized, detailed, God.
If you think this was a casual atmosphere, consider 3:38. “And any outsider who came near (the tabernacle) was to be put to death.” In the New Testament, our Lord was organized with his 12 disciples. He taught and commissioned them. In Mark 6:30ff, our Lord has his listeners not just sit down but sit in groups, “by hundreds and by fifties” v. 40.
Furthermore, the gospel itself is a planned, organized event. We are “predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” The Trinity is intimately involved in every aspect of the gospel. In Eph. 1 Paul prays, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. . . .” Eph 1: 11, 17.
Father, help us to receive what You offer in the Bible and accept Your Word as the Truth. We have an aversion to ritual, so we have a difficult time tracking with Your Word. At times, our values conflict with who You are and what is significant to You. Open our minds to explore the vistas of Your Word so we will love You more deeply and obey You more consistently. Make us into the holy nation we are in Christ. We pray this for the glory of Your matchless name, our Lord Jesus Christ.