Temple Teaching #11

The Presence of Yehovah

Why would Yehovah, who wants always to be with His people, His children, who spent 40 years with Him in the wilderness southeast and even north of Mount Sinai at 42 campsites throughout the Saudi peninsula allow them to spread out in the pagan promised land of Canaan away from his presence? Was there a way to ensure that His children could be in His presence every Sabbath and all the High Sabbaths even though they were spread out over the tribal allotments covering 263x 145 miles from Mount Herman to the Red Sea. Israel was surrounded and infiltrated by idol worshippers from 7 major tribes of Amorites, Hittites, Girgashites, Canaanites, etc. In the desert all Israel was positioned at each campsite 3 tribes on each side of the Tabernacle, all 3 million people were in eyesight of the column of fire at night and the cloud of His presence even though they were as much as 12 miles away. Exodus 40:38, 33:8-11, 14.

When Joshua (Yehoshua in Hebrew) became Israel’s leader after Moses’ death, he allotted Canaan, the promised land to the 12 tribes. Genesis 12:7 Then he set up a system to position 48 Levitical cities throughout the land within approximately 10 miles of every Israelite including the cities of refuge within 20 miles of everyone. Joshua 21: 1-2, 41,44-45. This made possible on each Sabbath for every Israelite to be able to be taught the Torah instructions by their local Levite or Priest and to worship and feast together with their brethren in the presence of Yehovah thus keeping them reminded of their calling to become a nation of priests to Yehovah for the nations of the whole earth. Exodus 19:6. Leviticus 23:2-4 shows that the weekly Sabbath Is the most important since it is observed 52+ times each year and draws the people together and allowed the leadership of the Levites to govern the people and maintain the focus on the sanctification of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:9; 21:5; 24:8).

From 1408 until 931 BC after Solomon died and Jeroboam led the northern tribes into idolatry and changed the feast days, the Levitical ministry system was in place to lead, remind, protect, and develop Israel as a Yehovah oriented nation. By the teaching, administration, judging, and leading worship the Levites and Priests met the needs of the people and kept the presence of Yehovah in the hearts and minds of all Israel (Joshua 24:8, 12-16, 23-24, 31; Malachi 2:7).

In Joshua 21:44-45 we see the outcome of the Levitical city placement., the good and words of wisdom. “Good” in Hebrew is ‘tobe” H-2896 in Strong’s Concordance. Pleasant, beneficial words of wisdom and wise counsel in Hebrew is “dabar” H-1697. Exodus 21-23 and Leviticus 11-21 are the basic Torah listings that were taught by the Levites.

The number 4 in Hebrew, the letter “dalet” picturing the doorway, the entrance to life or death, where change can take place as a number means completion or order. The number 12 in Hebrew, the letter “lamed” pictures control, to shepherd, the voice of authority, a staff as a number means wholeness, Yehovah’s rule and faithfulness. 4×12=48 which means Set apart for Yehovah’s service, reaching all Israel with Yehovah’s government. Exodus 19:6, Revelation 5:10. Matthew 28:19-20. A similar program will be set up in the new greater Israel after Yeshua’s return and the New Jerusalem is in view of all Israel (Jeremiah 23:3-8, Isaiah 49:6,8).

Why did the period of the judges (1408-1030 BC) with all the Levitical cities and even Samuel the prophet become so ineffective that Israel wanted a king to rule them like the pagan nations around them instead of Yehovah? 1 Samuel 8:1-9 The influence of Satan throughout the kingdoms of the middle east and the idol worshipping Canaanites that were not driven out or were kept as slaves to Israel in their conquests were constant temptations to the Israelites who didn’t keep their eyes and hearts on Yehovah’s covenant with them and His provided teaching and remembrance program of Levitical cities. Israel forgot to “not add or take away” from Yah’s Torah and obey it explicitly just as they do even today all over the earth. Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, 30:15-20, Joshua 1:6-9.

Israel is dispersed all over the earth today living under all types of kings and religious systems of beliefs and the curses for all the sins of their forefathers and their own sins but Yehovah has promised relief and unimagined blessings in His soon coming kingdom to all who return to Him at the return of Yeshua as King and Savior.

For a look at what’s coming see our articles on the Millenium on this website (https://tristatemessianicfellowship.com).