Numbers 8:14–26, Wednesday, the 2nd of April, 2025"

Numbers 8:23–2523 The Lord said to Moses,24 “This is what applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting.25 But at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.”

One of the recurring themes in the book of Numbers is the principle that the Levites belong to God, and that the firstborn also belong to God. The emphasis on this principle may suggest that it was often neglected. The tradition of offering the first fruits as an expression of pure faith—declaring that “the first belongs to the Lord”—has been passed down to us today as Thanksgiving.

What stands out in today’s passage is the designated age range for serving in the temple: from 25 to 50 years old. According to this, I am no longer of “temple service age.” 😊

Some may find this surprising, and understandably so, since 50 back then is not the same as 50 today. If that’s the case, perhaps the meanings of “firstborn” and “first fruits” were also different in that time. In an era when having many children was common, and in contrast to today’s norm of having one or two children, the implications could have varied significantly.

What the book of Numbers seems to emphasize is not just the role of the firstborn or the Levites, but rather that those who care for the temple must be clearly prepared and dedicated—spiritually and practically.

When reading Scripture, everyone inevitably engages in adaptation and application. We don’t just believe the words literally—we interpret and seek the meaning behind them. People interpret differently based on their experiences and environments. That’s why we need shared standards for interpretation—and that’s what theology is.

Some criticize theologians, saying they damage the church and misinterpret the Bible. But claiming to believe the Bible without any theological grounding is not necessarily wise either. In any case, people will bring their own beliefs and assumptions. So why not strive to understand Scripture well and apply it meaningfully to our lives today?

We live by interpretation and understanding—whether in conversations, or even while watching a drama or a movie. Without an effort to understand each other, even relationships, like romantic ones, don’t last long.

This season of Lent is also a time for interpretation and reflection. We are daily interpreting the meaning of suffering and the significance of Jesus on the cross. While we wish for joyful days, hardship often lurks around us.

Last week, some of our young (well, formerly young) men’s small group gathered to play basketball. Though our minds were eager, our bodies didn’t quite keep up. Still, it was a lot of fun despite the fatigue and the “less agile” movements. A brutally honest review made it back to me: “You were crawling on all fours.” Well, even crawling, it was fun.

Even in moments like this, interpretation happens. We begin to reflect on what’s needed to rebuild our strength. Conversations about regular games, team uniforms, and even dieting followed. I’ve already started browsing for new basketball shoes, anticipating that even more people will join us next time.

This is ordinary life. Reading the Bible, practicing faith, attending church, and being a part of our Open Church community all involve interpretation and understanding. If we engage with more intention and deeper meaning, we can accomplish many beautiful things together.

May the interpretation and understanding that fills our hearts be rooted in hope and expectation. If so, we’ll find ourselves participating in God’s amazing and unimaginable work.

Devotional Thought

When God speaks to us through Scripture, He is also inviting us to interpret and understand His will.

Intercessory Prayer

1. Please pray for Myanmar, where a recent earthquake has caused great damage. The recovery is proving difficult, and many lives have been lost. The hot weather makes the situation even harder. Please also pray for Korea. Tomorrow, the Constitutional Court will announce its ruling on the impeachment of the president—a significant national event.

2. Let us also gather for Wednesday worship tonight. Come join us as we worship and share the Word together!