Page 88 - Pentateuch

Chapters six and seven stand out. These two alone are new legislation addressed to the whole nation rather
than to the leaders. The first is about a man who has “feelings of jealousy (5:14, 30) and suspects his wife of
unfaithfulness. The issue is not “sin.” An admission of guilt would have a different result. The issue here is
undiscovered sin brought into the presence of God at the tabernacle. The classification is “impurity” (vv. 14,
19, 20, 27, 28, 29). The legislation teaches about the inner life of a person, not unlike the warning of Jesus
about looking “at a woman lustfully (Matt. 5:28).” God’s standard of holiness is far greater than that of
humans. He looks at the heart. Cleansing is not just a matter of outward appearance or admissions.
Cleansing must go deep. “No sin of any sort could be tolerated among God’s holy people. 102

Chapter seven records an instruction called a Nazirite vow that anyone could
make, dedicating oneself to God for a length of time. The instructions highlight
not drinking wine or any grape products, just like the priests of Israel (Lev. 10:9).
Like a priest, the person was required to avoid a corpse (Lev. 12). During the
period of the vow, a person was not supposed to cut his hair. This may be a simple
daily reminder of having taken a vow, or it may reflect the different headgear
worn by the high priest (Ex. 39:30). Without the duties of a priest, the “vow of
‘Nazirite’ status made it possible for an Israelite to voluntarily separate
himself/herself to the Lord at a high level of holiness for a period of time that the
individual specified.” 103 The vow taught the people to anticipate service to God on
the part of each person, much like the priesthood of the believers in NT times (1 Pet. 2:5; 9).

This is not all. The Levites who stood between the nation and God had to be made clean before they could
serve God (8:1-26). Specific sacrifices were required. Two young bulls were used in the ceremony. First, the
Israelites laid their hands on the Levites. Then the Levites were to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls.
Offering the bulls, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, made atonement for the Levites.
The chain was necessary to avoid God’s wrath at the whole nation if someone were to approach him
improperly (8:19).

Once again, further purification was needed for the whole nation. Yearly, they were to observe the
Passover, as instructed in previous books. Now questions arose about those who might miss the
celebration. What about those who had skin disease or who had touched a dead body or who were out of
town at the time of the Passover? Not celebrating brought judgment, but celebrating while unclean also
brought judgment. An alternate date was given to provide for these exceptions (9:1-14).

These things were necessary to allow a sinful nation to have God’s guiding presence. He was there as a
cloud of fire. When the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, Israel was to move. If the cloud stayed, they
stayed. Obedience was required (9:15-23). To make communication easier among the host, instructions
were even given about the sounding of trumpets. One blast called for the leaders to assemble. Others
signaled the beginning of a move, a battle, or a sacrifice (10:1-10). All of this was necessary because of God.
“I am the Lord your God,” ends the section (10:10). If they wanted his blessing (6:22-27), then these were
his requirements.

If we are in a hurry, ready to move on to more action in Numbers, we might miss the power in this section.
While recording the preparations of Israel for the trip to the Promised Land, these chapters are also
testimony to the faithfulness of Yahweh. He keeps his promises. He is worth following.

102 Sailhamer, Pentateuch, 377.
103 Gane, Leviticus, Numbers, 532.
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