Strong Tower
A daily scripture exposition.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Numbers 1:50 NLT
“Put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with all its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings as you travel, and they must take care of it and camp around it.”
Camp around it
In our day-to-day living, many of us tend to choose residences close to our workplaces, seeking convenience in our routines. In today’s referenced scripture, we observe how the Lord specifically instructed the tribe of Levi to establish their camps around the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, facilitating easy access for them to fulfill their priestly duties. It is significant to highlight that this divine arrangement was not due to their efforts or merits; instead, it was a gracious provision from God. He qualifies those He calls to serve, underscoring that it is not through elaborate displays of spirituality, or “spiritual gymnastics,” that one gains standing in His sight.
Another critical insight that often eludes us is the transient nature of the Levites’ camping arrangement. The Lord did not declare that the Levites would permanently inhabit the space surrounding the Tabernacle once they arrived at the promised land. Instead, He stated, “as you travel.” This understanding is reinforced by the actions of King Solomon, who, after constructing the Temple in Jerusalem, did not instruct the tribe of Levi to camp around the grounds. Instead, the scripture indicates that the Levites lived among all the tribes of Israel.
This narrative teaches us that certain pieces of information may be specific to a location or particular individuals; therefore, they should not be broadly applied. For example, when the Psalmist declares, “in sin my mother conceived me,” this statement is relevant specifically to King David and not universally applicable to all humanity. Jewish tradition further provides context to this assertion, revealing that David’s mother was married to another man, King Nahash of Ammon—the father of Abigail—when she became pregnant with David through Jesse (1 Samuel 11 & 2 Samuel 17:25). Additionally, the marital relationship between married couples is known as holy matrimony and never referred to as sinful matrimony. Thus, we should carefully distinguish between transient instructions and those meant to be permanent, treating each accordingly to maintain the integrity of their intended messages.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that I will remain where You want me, ensuring the purpose is fulfilled for Your glory. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
©️2025 The Chapel of Glory Ministries
