After the intensity of yesterday, you might actually be relieved to find that chapter 18 settles once again into instruction. In fact, the first two-thirds of today’s readings are focused on proper fulfillment of the law. It’s in the last third that our stomachs might turn once again.

Reflecting on the accusations that led to rebellion, the LORD reaffirms His call of Aaron and Moses in chapter 18. First, in a rare instance He calls Aaron into the Tent of Meeting and gives instructions to him directly. And these instructions He gave are not necessarily new, but a reordering – and reaffirmation – of what He required in Leviticus.

And in a direct rebuke to Korah’s charge that “…all in the congregation are holy, every one of them,” the LORD reminds Aaron that the Levites will receive no territory in Canaan, for “I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.”

Chapter 19 is again a reaffirmation of prior statutes, having to do with purity and uncleanness. Perhaps this is an important reminder with all the recent death in the camp.

And finally, we come to Numbers 20, which is among the most tragic sequences in all of Scripture. If you’ve never read it, I won’t even begin to spoil it for you. Just breathe it in slowly, and allow questions, and possibly emotions, to wash over you as you engage the story. Many things happen here, and you need to go slowly to follow the logic and cause of why they happen. Listen, carefully, to the dialogue. Remember the history of these characters. And put yourself in each scene: the Wilderness of Zin, the border of Edom, and Mount Hor, where the priestly garments again become a character unto themselves.

Our verse for this week is 1 Corinthians 10:4: “And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

Numbers chapters 18 through 20. Now let’s read it!

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