“These are the commandments and the ordinances which the LORD commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho” (Num 36:13).
A careful look at the final verse in Numbers with an eye to the larger context reveals the Torah’s sophisticated structure. The last verse of Numbers is nearly identical to the last verse of Leviticus: “These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai” (Lev 27:34).
It is not a coincidence, therefore, the first verses of each respective book are also nearly identical: “Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting” (Lev 1:1); “Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting” (Num 1:1). Even though Israel’s geographical location has changed as they journey ever closer to the Promised Land—from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab (Lev 27:34; Num 36:13)—God has traveled with them every step of the way in the tent of meeting (Lev 1:1; Num 1:1). This means all the commandments in Leviticus and Numbers were not revealed to Israel far away on a mountain top, but right up close from within a tent.
The structure of Leviticus—Numbers not only highlights the importance of the tabernacle in the Torah’s theology (Exod 25:9), but also puts Yeshua’s incarnation (John 1:1, 14) and the church, which is God’s spiritual temple (Eph 2:19-22), within their proper biblical context. This structure likewise teaches us to long for that day when the new Jerusalem finally descends so that heaven will dwell forever with us on earth (Revelation 21-22).
The God of Israel has never been a big fan of long distance relationships. By putting on flesh, Immanuel proved he wants to walk with us and to talk with us, in good times and bad times, to be with us all the days of our journey till we receive our inheritance in the Promised Land.
“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them” (Exod 25:8).
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exod 40:34).
“Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph 2:20-22).
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away'” (Rev 21:2-4).
