Royal Priesthood

In Numbers 7, the heads of the tribes bring their tribute to the Tabernacle.  They all bring the same thing and the ADHD kid in me that can't stay focussed fo.... Look there's a cloud that looks like a baboon on a moped!!... r more than 20 seconds, says "Why can't it just say: 'Each tribe offered...' rather than repeating the same list 11 times?" The good thing about the 11 repetitions is that it creates a sense of occasion. Moreover, God doesn't waste words, so if he has had it repeated 11 times, there is a reason, I just don't know what it is.

Numbers 8 is much easier. The Levites are chosen as the new firstborn of the nation. The tribe of Reuben was disqualified when he slept with his Father's concubine, moreover, the Levites were the only ones who defended the honour of the LORD in the wake of the idolatry incident with the golden calf in Ex. 32.

The symbolism here is important - they are the new firstborn sons, who were saved back in Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb, they are appointed by Moses to serve the nation under the High Priest. So it is in the New Testament that the Church is the new Levitical priesthood, saved through the blood of Christ and raised up to serve the world under the direction and authority of the resurrected Christ who is the true High Priest - reigning in the power of an indestructible life!