numbers 8-10

--old testament understanding--
chapter 8 begins with intro about the lampstands...then addresses the role of the levites and their sanctification for their tasks/assignments from the Lord. the levites were separate/called apart. v. 14 says, "'thus you shall separate the levites from among the sons of israel, and the levites shall be Mine." the tasks assigned to this tribe were so significant and special that God set the levites apart for their duties.

chapter 9 addresses the passover and special conditions of its observance if at all hindered (as with the specific case mentioned regarding uncleanliness because of a dead person). then, we read about the direction of God and His presence in the cloud. v. 23, "at the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out."

instructions regarding the use of trumpets for alerting the people of gathering times and of war are included in chapter 10...along with a narrative of the movement of the people as the cloud moved them from the wilderness of sinai.

--personal thoughts--
i just love how the israelites were led by the cloud. i love the visual of that. i listened to a sermon tonight with another visual of the Lord's leading...as our Shepherd whom the sheep (His people) hear/recognizing His voice (from john 10)....

thank You, Lord, for leading us...thank You that we don't need to worry about direction or when or where/or what lies ahead...we just need to follow You...our cloud by day...our Shepherd....