Numbers 4, Psalm 38, Song of Songs 2, Hebrews 2

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@April 27, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Numbers 4

Numbers 4:5–6 (ESV) 5 When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. 6 Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.

Before migrating to their next location in the wilderness, the items of the tabernacle were to be covered and prepared for the journey. The ark was covered by the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the outer court, then wrapped in goatskin, then covered on top with a cloth of all blue. The number of layers used in covering the ark is remarkable, intending that there be absolutely no possibility for it to be seen during migration. It is good to see in this the special and powerful nature of this object, knowing that it was where God had chosen to be present among His people.

Psalm 38

Psalm 38:3–4 (ESV) 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

There is a palpable weightiness to David’s lament as he senses the LORD’s indignation. The FSB Notes describes that “The psalmist appears to be suffering from sickness, social alienation (v. 11), and guilt (v. 4).” The latter is highly relatable in my current season. As with David, the guilt of my sin is a heavy burden. Praise the Lord that I can bring it all to Jesus and find rest for my soul, for He says, “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28)

Song of Songs 2

Song of Solomon 2:8 (ESV) 8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.

The woman is excited to hear the voice of her beloved as he approaches. Reading this is both heartwarming and sad as it is been a long time since I have been the object of such sentiment. I think of moments like being picked up at the airport, seeing the smile on my wife’s face as I draw nearer to her, culminating in a huge hug of fulfilled anticipation. It is good to reflect on such memories, to remember the adoration one can have for another, all that it may lead to our highest yearning to be with our true Beloved.

Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2:17–18 (ESV) 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus was and is fully human, “made like his brothers in every respect”. Only by being fully human could He be the one-time worthy sacrifice and “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Required of Him was to face the same sufferings and temptations as the rest of humanity and because of this “he is able to help those who are being tempted.” His condescension as a man means that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)

Carson on Psalm 38

While pleading for vindication, it is urgently important that we confess our own sin, and entreat God for mercy. For the God of justice is also the God of grace. If this be not so, there is no hope for any of us.

Carson helpfully points out that David pleads for vindication but he does so while confessing his own sins. Likewise, as we look outward for justice to be done, we must also look inward and confess the sin contained within us. Only from this position of humility are we able to properly see the grace and perfect justice of our God.

Justin Houtz