In their midst but still separate

Num 1-4

When Israel camp on their way to the promised land, the tent of meeting is pitched in the centre of the camp with the tribes camped round the outside. The Levites then camp according to their clans in different groups surrounding the tent, and so protecting the rest of the people.

'The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.' (1:52f)

Further Aaron and his sons 'protect the people of Israel' by 'guarding the sanctuary itself' (3:38). The holiness of God was a fearsome thing. The tent of meeting was a sign of God's closeness to his people, but the rituals surrounding it showed that he was still separate from them. Three levels of priesthood (at least) are clear: the sons of Aaron; the Levites; the people as a whole. The OT teaches the terrible truth that not one of these levels is uncorrupted and ultimately successful in their priestly role (the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, demonstrate that just in chapter 3).

As NT Christians we know neither humanity's sin, nor God's awesome holiness, has changed (although we often forget). But Christ has demolished the curtains, and the separation between God and man, and brought God into the midst not just of a camp but of our hearts. He has done this not by compromising on God's holiness but by being the perfect priest, and the perfect priestly nation. He did everything Israel and the Levitical priesthood could not.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.' (Heb 7:23ff)

Finally, this high priest makes us to be the new priestly nation (1 Pet 2:9), not just by cleansing us either, but by making us perfect as he is perfect (Consider a search for the word perfect in Hebrews).

So, will we, by the power of God, fulfil our calling to intercede for the world?

Crazy stuff our faith, no wonder it is foolishness to the world.

PS If you are feeling scholarly try David Peterson's Hebrews and Perfection. Not that I have, although I know where I can borrow a copy