Levitical Villages

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession. … Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites.” - Leviticus 35:1-8

Before entering the land of Israel, Moses made sure to give the Levites (ministers) land from each of the other tribes.  Moses was told to make sure no tribal group was left out, and no tribe could begrudgingly not give some land to the Levites, the tribe of Priests.  God did this because He wanted to make sure in a very visual way His presence was spread to each of the tribes of Israel.

Some of the Levitical villages become important within the land of Israel.  The heritage of Abraham was felt in Hebron (Kirjath Arba).  Jacob’s name was honored in Shechem.  Many in the line of the High Priest, including Jeremiah, came from Anathoth.  The ark of the covenant was returned to Beth Shemesh.  By tradition John the Baptist was born in Beth HaKerem.

Six of the Levitical cities Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor were named as cities of refuge.  The Levites in these cities acted with mercy as protectors, and with skill as lawyers and judges to discern who was truly guilty and who should find freedom, forgiveness or grace.

The Levites, while they lived among the people were not to blend with the people.  They were to maintain and remember their purpose: to serve as priests for God.  These men were to serve in the Temple according to their time.  King David set up courses so each group of priests would know when to go to Jerusalem.  All Priests served during the three harvest festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.  By rotation they served two additional weeks per year, making five weeks of service total.

The book Advent Journeys takes a look at how Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist serves in the Temple.  Much of the information in this book comes from the Jewish Mishnah, the oral tradition which was written down by the generation impacted by the destruction of the Temple.

As the Levitical cities served a purpose for the people of Israel, we, as people of faith are to serve a purpose in our communities and villages.  Moses said, “if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6; see also Deuteronomy 7:6, 26:19).  Peter repeats this for Christians in 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Chosen by Lot: Isaiah 6

The Bible, New Testament and Old Testament, contains a wonderful mosaic of wonderful interconnected passages.  Many people miss these connections due to lack of familiarity with the wide scope of scripture passages, through skim over and get through reading style, or because of cultural or doctrinal limitations.  But God wants us to see where dots connect and stories correspond.  The interrelationship between Old and New Testament is a source of seeing the truth and authority of a book given by God.

The first chapter of Luke is a great example of an interconnected passage which is an easy skim over to an untrained eye; but a passage of great depth both culturally and spiritually to anyone who desires to dig deeper.

The passage begins with what appears to be a simple priest … but even with the first glance, the reader understands there could be more!  “There was a priest named Zechariah.” Yes, that name is familiar, for Zechariah is one of the final prophetic books of the Old Testament.  Zechariah the prophet tells of the future which includes the coming of the anointed one, the messiah.  Zechariah the priest forms the connection, for the name Zechariah means “God has remembered.”

Zechariah is of the order of Abijah, one of twenty-four courses into which the priesthood is organized.  Week one of the book Advent Journeys gives a bit more information on this organization and what it means for the New Testament story.  Abijah means “God is my Father.”

In the course of his work Zechariah is chosen by lot to tend the altar of incense.  What the reader does not understand is the uniqueness of the selection process.  Indeed there are at least six positions chosen daily by lot, but to serve the altar of incense is a special drawing for a task which is only allowed once in a lifetime.  (Tamid 5:2 of the Jewish Mishnah).  The posting for this work takes a common priest as close as possible to the Holy of Holies.  A point made (and highlighted between the lines) is how God (“God is my Father”) waited until just this moment to call Zechariah (God has remembered) to this important appointment.

Zechariah approaches the altar of incense, and as Isaiah (“God saves”) sees God “on a very high throne. His long robe filled the Temple.”  He is met by an angel (Gabriel) who announces his wife’s pregnancy.  Zechariah’s lips question God, “How can this be?” [He probably should have said, “Here am I, send me.”]  And Zechariah is struck dumb.

But the message was heard, and Zechariah names his son John (“God shows mercy”).  In a symbol reflecting Isaiah 6:6-7 Zechariah’s lips are healed, and he begins to talk again.

Thus begins the Christmas story in Luke.  The story, and the entire Gospel are a continuation of the Old Testament inspiration which brings Immanuel (God with us) into the picture with spiritual forgiveness and healing.  The story goes on, as can be seen through the prophetic quotes of Zechariah, Mary, Simeon and Anna.