Justin Houtz

Numbers 4, Romans 4

DateVersionReading Plan
May 1, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 4

Observation

The LORD spoke to Moses and told him to take a census of the sons of Levi—Kohath, Merari and Gerson—by their clans and fathers houses from thirty years old to fifty years old who can come on duty for the work of the tent of meeting. The three clans were provided details regarding their responsibilities and the Kohathites are singled out in this chapter as being in charge of the sacred furnishings of the tabernacle. However, before handling these items, Aaron and his sons the priests had to cover them. The CSB Notes speaks of the type of covering of the ark of the testimony:

The screening curtain of scarlet, blue, and purple that separated the holy of holies from the outer court was used in the covering of the ark of the testimony. It was then wrapped in fine leather for protection during the transport from one camp to the next. A final covering of royal purple cloth completed the preparation process.

The Kohathites were neither to view nor touch them uncovered lest they die (Num. 4:15; Num. 4:20). The counts of the census of eligible males among the three clans is given (Kohathites = 2,750; Gershonites = 2,630; Merarites = 3,200) along with the sum total (8,580).

Application

The amount of covering that was required for the tabernacle prior to transport speaks to the level of its inaccessibility among the unconsecrated. It was the object by which an infinitely holy and righteous God dwelt among His people. Reading of this reminds me of a sermon I recently listened to by Tim Keller in which He spoke of the sun’s destructive effects if viewed too long or coming near it, and how much greater is our God who created the sun. This should elicit a profound sense of healthy despair at our complete inability to draw near to God apart from His making Himself accessible to us. In our sin, we are woefully short of worth or capacity to be near Him without being destroyed. With what praise should our hearts then erupt knowing that He has come to us, condescending to dwell among us as, fully human and yet sinless and retaining all manner of Godhood.

Romans 4

Observation

Paul addressed Abraham and that, while “Jews commonly believed that Abraham kept the whole law before it was given on Mount Sinai” and that “he had something to brag about…Abraham was justified by faith and had no grounds to boast.” (CSB Notes). Paul continues in instruction regarding work, belief, faith and righteousness. For the one who works, his wages are counted as a gift but the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Rom. 4:5). Paul explains that Abraham’s righteousness was counted to him before his circumcision, that it was not the cause of Abraham’s righteousness but that he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised (Rom. 4:11). The purpose of this was to make Abraham the father of all who believe without being circumcised and walk in the footsteps of faith that Abraham had before he was circumcised (Rom. 4:12).

Paul makes clear that the promise to Abraham and his offspring did not come to him through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Rom. 4:13). It is not the adherents of the law who will be heirs because the law brings wrath (Rom. 4:15). “It condemns those who fail to keep its commandments perfectly and continuously. And since none can do that, all who are under the law are condemned to death. It is impossible to be under the law without being under the curse.” (BBC). Instead of being dependent on following the law, it depends on faith in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed of all Abraham’s offspring, not only to those adherent to the law but also those who share faith with Abraham who is the father “of all believing Jews and Gentiles” (BBC).

Abraham hoped against hope that he should be the father of many nations. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own old body or the barrenness of his wife, Sarah (Rom. 4:19). No unbelief made Abraham waver concerning the promise of God but instead grew in faith and gave glory to God, fully convinced that He was able to do as He promised (Rom. 4:21). Paul states that this is the reason Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness (quoting Gen. 15:6). However, these words were not written to Abraham alone but to all the saints who believe in Him who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, was delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25).

Application

How difficult a truth this must have been to receive by the Jews as it “undermined the traditional Jewish understanding of Abraham.” (FSB) The FSB goes on to say that the “Jewish teachers in the Mishnah claimed that Abraham was faithful in keeping the whole law before the entire law was even officially given to Moses; see Mishnah, Qiddushin 4.14”. As three of the five solas hold, righteousness comes through grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. We are not declared righteous by efforts to uphold the law or by proxy of anyone but only by Christ Himself who imputes to us His righteousness. What a wonder it is to behold that the promise of salvation is extended to all who receive Jesus, who believe in His name, to whom He grants the right to become children of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that by the overflow of Your grace You sent Your Son to be among us; to take on flesh and be the perfect Sacrifice for our sin. How immeasurable is Your grace, Lord Jesus, that you would remove from me all guilt, cleanse me by Your precious blood and gift me with Your righteousness.

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