Numbers 4-5 & Acts 15

In the 4th Chapter of Numbers, God continues the instructions to Moses and Aaron on the roles of the Levites. They are called to do a census of the members of the Levites for those men between the ages of 30 and 50, which was the age requirement to do priestly things.

The instructions involve who will carry the items of the Tent of Meeting when the Ark moves. The most holy vessels can only be touched or even looked upon by Aaron or one of Aaron's sons. Those items closest to the Holy of Holies, or the center of the tent around the Ark, where considered "less" holy and the Kohathites were tasked with carrying them while the Gershonites and Merarites were tasked with carry more mundane items.

Numbers 5 opens with a warning to keep those who are unclean out of the camp until they can be made clean. It is an awareness that God is holy and present within the camp and so too must the Israelites be holy. But holiness involves more than just being physically "clean." Relationships in the community are very important. Sins against one another must be dealt with and aggrieved parties must receive proper restitution.

Another form of being holy is one's faithfulness within marriage. Chapter 5 contains a ritual by which the guilt of a woman committing adultery could be ascertained if there is no proof of her actual guilt. The priest will prepare the water of  bitterness and then ask the woman if she has committed a wrong. If she has not and is telling the truth, the water will not have any effect on her. If she has and is lying, then the water will bear a curse which will cause great pain and discomfort. Some commentators look at this a trial by ordeal. This sort of "magical" judgment does not appear elsewhere in the bible, so it is of interest, even as it is rather horrifying.

Acts 15

The issue of how the early believers, mostly Jewish converts, would welcome the Gentile converts comes to a head in Chapter 15. Paul and Barnabas encounter a group of Jewish believers who inform the Gentile converts that they must first be circumcised before they can be saved. In other words, before being a follower of Christ, you have to become a son of Abraham and a member of Israel. Realizing how serious this was, Paul and Barnabas return to Jerusalem to get guidance from the leaders of the movement.

After much discussion, Peter and James, both offer opinions that God has acted within the Gentile community and sent the Holy Spirit to them. This means that clearly God does not see a necessity in having the Gentiles become "Jews" before becoming followers of Christ. It would seem that circumcision will not be required for the Gentiles, but James and other leaders draft a letter to be sent to warn the Gentiles about participating in idolatrous activities at shrines or temples. To follow Christ means to follow the God of Israel and not other gods.