Harsh or Holy?

Scripture – Numbers 1:51

Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites must take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be reassembled, the Levites must set it up. Any unauthorized person who approaches it must be killed.

The tabernacle was designed to be portable. There was a process, a procedure for setting it up and taking it down. Only the Levites were authorized by God to do this. If anyone else did, regardless of their intension, was to be killed.

On the one hand this sounds rather harsh. But it isn’t to communicate only harshness, but holiness. From the worlds perspective holiness is extreme which can be interpreted as harsh. What do I fear more; offending my God, or offending my culture? The result should be people drawn to God, though some will be pushed away.

Lord, continue to show me the difference between holiness and legalism. I want to obey because I fear and because I love. Love fears offending the one it loves. I always want to be pleasing in your sight.