In life, boundaries give us a sense of structure and define our roles. Whether at home, work, or in society, these boundaries guide our behaviour. However, it is God who ultimately defines the boundaries of our existence, because He created us (Psalm 100:3).
In Numbers 18-20, God assigns specific duties to the Levites, clarifying their roles in serving the sanctuary. He also sets the boundaries of ritual purity established for purification. Furthermore, God redefines the boundaries of leadership with Moses’ actions outside of God’s clear instructions resulting in his inability to enter the promised land. Each of these events point to the fact that God sets the terms for worship, leadership, and obedience, and stepping outside those boundaries has consequences.
In Acts 10, Peter experiences a redefinition of boundaries. Raised in Jewish traditions that restricted interactions with Gentiles, Peter’s vision and a command from God not to call anything unclean that He has made clean challenges these boundaries. When Cornelius, a Gentile, sends for Peter, it becomes clear that God is now including the Gentiles in His salvation plan, breaking down the old divisions.
Throughout Scripture, God reveals that He is the one who defines and redefines boundaries as His purposes unfold. As you follow Him, you must be sensitive to His direction and remain within the boundaries He establishes. God’s redefined boundaries are always for the greater purpose of drawing people to Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me see Your boundaries as my protection, and for Your glory.
Today’s reading
Numbers 18-20
The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons and your family are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the priesthood. 2 Bring your fellow Levites from your ancestral tribe to join you and assist you when you and your sons minister before the tent of the covenant law. 3 They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die…
Acts 10:1-23
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”…