YOU are the tabernacle

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means.. Let's see where this takes us! 

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 4

Verses 1-20: Delivery drivers can't open up the packages they deliver. They won't necessarily die if they do, but they'd get into trouble. The Kohathites are warned that they will die if they look upon the sacred objects of the tabernacle (YLT;; aka "tent of meeting" in the NRSV) that they will transport; Aaron and his sons are to carefully wrap them up so they won't be seen.

I conclude that the objects have mysterious powers which the LORD immunized Aaron and his sons from, but others must be warned against.. OR, the LORD's wrath will fall upon any Kohathite who dares to look, for the very crime of disobedience.

Or, the warning (or threat) of death was a bluff.

But then I read on.

Verses 21-33: The Gershonites are to carry the coverings, curtains, and hangings of the tabernacle. The Merarites are to transport the bars, pegs, and everything pertaining to the frame of the tabernacle. 

The chapter closes out with census results of each clan. 

Of note is that these the shared traits of all the men qualified for the task of moving the tabernacle were between 30 and 50 years of age. This suggests two things:

1. They had to be able-bodied.

2. They had to be mature, that is, accustomed to having major responsibilities.

I thought of the parallels between the tabernacle and the human body.

• The Merarites carry the frame or the human skeleton.

• The coverings, curtains, and hanging that the Gershonites are in charge of, are the human skin, clothes, and accessories.

• Kohathites transport the blood, nervous system and other internal systems that connect organs.

• Aaron and sons  are the only ones with access to the sacred objects such as the ark of the covenant, which represent the vital organs.

• Within those organs, the most "inner" parts of your body, is the Spirit of the LORD, which animates or moves the entire body. We refer to the organs all the time: "What is your head (brain) telling you?" "What is your heart saying?" "What is your gut instinct telling you?"

•  This LORD is your "higher" self, and it is God (aka Source, the Universe) individuated within you. The body dies only when this Spirit departs.

Your body, your tabernacle, is sacred, and you must take care every time you move it. That's why there was a census of the clans. Moses had to make sure there were enough responsible and able men to do the work of moving. The tabernacle couldn't be moved unless they were ready.

It is this level of care with which we should treat our bodies. 

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)