Joshua 21 Cities and Pasturelands Allotted to Levi

The Levites are descendants of Levi, son of Jacob. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each one of them formed a clan with responsibilities related to worship. They were considered assistants to the priests (sons of Aaron, also descendants of Levi - Aaron is one of the great grandsons of Levi). In some places in the Bible they are also called priests, but to be distinguished from those who officiated. The Kohathites were to bear the sacred furniture of the tabernacle; the Gershonites, its curtains; and the Merarites its boards, pins, and poles. But they could not approach the holy things and act as priests. During the temple days, they were assigned duties of construction, singing, treasury as well as teaching and judging. They were also in charge of maintaining the cities of refuge.

God wanted to ensure that the promised land would have people serving the community in the area of worship. The amount of people involved in worship is impressive. They were scattered throughout the land making the priesthood and its services pervasive in the land. Interestingly enough, they were not allowed to have property as an inheritance. The property they managed belonged to other tribes, including the cities of refuge. The reason for a lack of inheritance is that God is to be their inheritance. Also, they were to live off the tithes and offerings of the people. Their appointment was from birth and they performed their priestly duties until death.

The establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is about worship to our King. Today, we gather together as the priesthood of all believers to minister to our God and to one another in worship. One day, the whole earth will worship our King as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. From the beginnings of Christianity, we see a persecuted Church struggling to survive. But believers came together and shared their resources to ensure its survival. When Christ returns, we will no longer have to struggle for survival on earth because we will reign with him.

I am in awe of the dedication of the Levites. Their whole life was about God's kingdom. My life should be dedicated to the Lord just like that. I am also impressed with the system God instituted to take care of them. I can't understand why people have a hard time tithing and offering to keep ministry going upon the earth. Not only do people struggle to tithe, but many people don't bring the whole tithe to their place of ministry. They decide to spread their tithe among different organizations. No wonder it is so hard to keep the finances of the church at a healthy level to just maintain a building. I must say that today, most churches don't offer retirement benefits and once a minister cannot pastor anymore, he is out on the street with no property and no income. A far cry from the Levitical priesthood.

Father, may I serve you wholeheartedly with dedication and commitment. May I learn to give to sustain your work upon the earth. May I worship you in spirit and truth and promote your glory upon the whole earth. Amen.

Matthew 23:13-24 More Woes...

Hypocrite is a word used in Greek theater to refer to and actor and it received a negative meaning over time that conveys the sense of pretending, lying, and deceiving. Jesus accused the Scribes and Pharisees of being spiritual actors pretending to have piety while lying to and deceiving the people. Their hypocrisy did not allow them to enter the kingdom of God. Because of their position of authority as spiritual leaders before other people, their hypocrisy did not allow others to enter the kingdom of God either. Their efforts to make converts to Judaism (proselytes) resulted in children destined to hell.

When it comes to swearing and oaths, the Scribes and Pharisees had devised a list of objects by which an oath would be binding (i.e. gold of the temple, gift on the altar) and another that was not so binding (i.e. the temple, the altar) to give them a way out of their commitments. Jesus accuses them of being blind guides to the people splitting hairs over what is binding or not. Such lists are ridiculous and somewhere else he prohibits such oaths and teaches that their word should be binding enough.

On the issue of tithing, the Scribes and Pharisees had become so obsessed and compulsive about it that they tithed even their spices (mint, dill, and cumin). Tithing is the principle of giving one tenth of one's produce and earnings as worship to God and used for the sustenance of temple and priests. Unfortunately, they neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness which are more important matters of the Law. Justice is to do right to our neighbor, mercy is to have compassion for those in need, and faithfulness is to be loyal and steadfast to God.

Straining the gnat and swallowing a camel is an exaggeration that conveys how ridiculous their behavior really was. The gnat and the camel were unclean. The Pharisees would strain their wine to avoid swallowing the unclean insect. But Jesus tells them that their neglect of the Law is equivalent to swallowing a camel! Am I a hypocrite, blind guide who obsesses with details but neglects the heart of God's kingdom? Am I honest with God, people, myself? Am I a person of my word? Am I not only tithing, but practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness?

Lord, examine my heart. See that it is faithful to you. Help me to be sincere and honest in my faith with you and others. May I be a person of my word. May I never neglect the weightier matters of the kingdom.