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Numbers 3:5 - The Levite's very short "to do" list. Day 116

Good morning fellow saints,

I am sure I have encouraged the use of a Bible dictionary.  Using an electronic Bible with Strong's numbers make it very easy.  I also have the Complete Word Study Bible dictionary.  I am not a Hebrew scholar, but anybody can use a dictionary to understand the nuances of words.

Blessings,

Jeff

Keep = šāmar: A verb meaning to watch, to keep, to preserve, to be careful, to watch over, to watch carefully over, to be on one’s guard. The verb means to watch, to guard, to care for. Adam and Eve were to watch over and care for the Garden of Eden where the Lord had placed them

guard over = mišmereṯ: A feminine noun meaning guard, charge, duty. This word comes from the verb šāmar (H8104), The idea of obedience (i.e., keeping the commandments) is often depicted, which leads to a translation of charge (Gen. 26:5; Deut. 11:1; Zech. 3:7) or duty (Num . 3:7; 9:23; 2 Chr. 8:14).

So the Levites are to do (verb) the noun form of the verb.  They are to watch over the things that need to be watched over.  Guard the things that are guarded. They have one job and only one job.  Imagine the conversation around the breakfast table. "What shall we do today?"  Answer "Let's do the same things we did yesterday and last week and will do for the rest of our lives"  

Instruction - What does God expect" - Faithfully execute the duties He has given.  Westminster Shorter Catechism uses the phrase "appointed in His word" in the answers to questions regarding the first four commandments.  He has told me what to do, it is my duty to do what he has told me to do.  

Thanksgiving -  Providing physical boundaries between the tent of meeting and the 12 tribes.  Prevent any accidental violation of the holiness of the tabernacle.  You are with Your people, but only the Levites could be close to you.  All to show us the need for the one True Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Confession - Willingly distracted from the duty of Great Commission.  

Petition - Renew awareness of the privilege of priesthood of believers.

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