In Numbers 8 God instructs Aaron to set up the lamps in the tent of meeting. Then Moses performs a ritual of purification on the Levites. They are offered by the Israelites as an elevation offering to the Lord.  They are now able to serve the tent of meeting.

God reminds the people that the Levites have been consecrated to the Lord in place of the firstborn. The Levites serve for 25 years (age 25-50) and then they retire.

Numbers 9 opens at the beginning of the second year the Israelites are in the wilderness. God tells the people to keep the Passover. All people are allowed to keep the Passover: those who are unclean because of a death, those who are away from camp as well as aliens living among the Israelites. However, if those who are present in the camp and have nothing that would exclude them from participating refuse to participate they will be cut off from the people.

Whenever the cloud covered the tabernacle the people remain camped. Whenever the cloud lifted from the tent the Israelites set out until they see the cloud which indicates where they will camp. No matter how long the cloud remains over the tabernacle the people remain camped.

The people of Israel know exactly what God expects of them. They have His presence tangibly present in the cloud. They know that He is with them. Often we doubt the presence of God in our lives. We wish we had a physical presence with us at all times and someone who hears God’s voice and tells us what God wants.

What we have is the scriptures. It is God’s presence with us each day. It assures us that God is with us and guides us in knowing what to do.

In Acts 16 Paul meets a young disciple named Timothy. Timothy accompanies Paul in his travels. They tell the people they met the decisions that were made by those in Jerusalem. The churches become stronger.

The Holy Spirit blocks their way into Asia so they go to Troas.  Paul has a vision encouraging him to go to Macedonia so they go there. They end up in the city of Philippi. There they meet a woman named Lydia from Thyatira. She and her household become believers and she invites them to come to her house.

They meet a slave woman who tells fortunes. She persistently tells others that Paul and Silas proclaim a way of salvation. Paul is annoyed at her following them and casts out the spirit inside her. Her owners, upset that she no longer makes them money, have them arrested. While they are imprisoned and are worshipping there is an earthquake and the door are opened. The jailer becomes afraid that he has lost his prisoners but Pat and Silas remain. They preach to him and he believes. Paul explains that they were arrested unjustly and are Roman citizens. They are released and go to Lydia’s house.

You might have noticed that some of the story changes from being told in third person (they) to being told in first person (we). It is believed that Luke, the writer of the book of Acts joins Paul in his journeys.