Reading the book of Numbers is challenging. It takes some long breaks from the action-packed stories of the Old Testament, and much of the breaks consist of laws, regulations, and duties for God’s newly freed people to follow now that he has rescued them from Egypt.
It’s important to remember that the lengthy instructions are good for the people. Just look at our reading from Numbers 4-6. Different clans are assigned meaningful work (chapter 4), marriages are treated with holiness (chapter 5), and one group of God’s people (the Nazirites) are taught how to live in a God-glorifying way that is sacrificial, total, and public (chapter 6).
Of course, the people would fail to obey the instructions for generations to come, and if God operated like any of the rulers his people knew during their time in Egypt, it would result in their destruction, but that’s not how God works.
Instead, before the people have an opportunity to live out God’s commands, God first offers them a blessing through Moses and Aaron:
“May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
The people were given instructions because it would help them cultivate a thriving community that partnered with God in caring for his creation, but their behavior would never be a prerequisite for his faithful love and blessing. God would offer that first.
It’s important for Christians to remember this lesson today. God has a good plan for us, and we can live more meaningful lives when we live according to his will, but it will never earn us his love. God gives us his love first, which makes it possible for us to trust him enough to obey his commands.
We are free from trying to earn God’s love. Rather, filled with his free love, we get to live purpose-filled lives.
Questions for reflection:
- How do the words of the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 reveal God’s character and his desire for his people?
- How does understanding God’s love as unconditional impact how we approach our relationship with God and our obedience to his commands?
- How does living in accordance with God’s will lead to a more meaningful life?