Numbers 3-4
An Overview of Chapter 3
Aaron and his two living sons (his other two were fired) are to be the priests that serve God. All the male Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to assist them in the service in tabernacle, and upkeep of the furnishings of the tent of meeting.
God had originally intended for all the firstborn sons of Israel to serve in the tabernacle, but the Levites are replacing them because of their faithfulness when the rest of Israel rebelled in Exodus 32. To make the transaction a fair return, God appoints a census to count the firstborn sons and the male Levites. When all is counted it turns out that there is 273 more firstborn then there are Levites. To make up the difference and free the remaining 273 firstborn God appoints a ransom price of 5 shekels per person.
Along with this census God assigns duties and camp areas to the Levites, who are to be divided out by family lines among the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Gershon camped on the west side of the tabernacle and there were 7,500 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the coverings of the tent, the doorway of the tent, the hangings of the court, the doorway for the court, the altar, and its cord.
Kohath camped on the south side of the tabernacle and there were 8,600 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and their utensils. They were under the supervision of the priestly sons of Eleazar.
Merari camped on the north side of the tabernacle and there were 6,200 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the frames, bars, pillars, sockets, pegs, and the equipment used in the tabernacle.
Moses and the priests lived on the east side of the tabernacle.
An Overview of Chapter 4
In addition to the duties the Levites have in serving the priests in the tabernacle they were required to carry the tabernacle and all of its implements when it was time to move.
Before the holy objects in the tabernacle could be moved the priests would go in and cover all the objects of the tent of meeting and insert the carrying poles. Aaron and his sons would supervise the Levites and assign to each one what they were to carry. The only Levites who were allowed to carry were those who are between the age of 30-50. The only ones who “counted” were those who were serving or carrying.
Reflection
What are you doing to serve the body of Christ, do you count? What was the ransom that God provided for us? What does this passage teach us about the casual handling of God’s work? How do you serve those who have dedicated their lives to serving God?
For Further Study
Priests: Genesis 14:18, Psalm 132:9, Matthew 27:1, Romans 15:15-16, Hebrews 3:1-2, Hebrews 10:19-22, 1Peter 2:4-10
Aaron and his two living sons (his other two were fired) are to be the priests that serve God. All the male Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to assist them in the service in tabernacle, and upkeep of the furnishings of the tent of meeting.
God had originally intended for all the firstborn sons of Israel to serve in the tabernacle, but the Levites are replacing them because of their faithfulness when the rest of Israel rebelled in Exodus 32. To make the transaction a fair return, God appoints a census to count the firstborn sons and the male Levites. When all is counted it turns out that there is 273 more firstborn then there are Levites. To make up the difference and free the remaining 273 firstborn God appoints a ransom price of 5 shekels per person.
Along with this census God assigns duties and camp areas to the Levites, who are to be divided out by family lines among the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Gershon camped on the west side of the tabernacle and there were 7,500 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the coverings of the tent, the doorway of the tent, the hangings of the court, the doorway for the court, the altar, and its cord.
Kohath camped on the south side of the tabernacle and there were 8,600 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and their utensils. They were under the supervision of the priestly sons of Eleazar.
Merari camped on the north side of the tabernacle and there were 6,200 men. Their duties in the tabernacle included the frames, bars, pillars, sockets, pegs, and the equipment used in the tabernacle.
Moses and the priests lived on the east side of the tabernacle.
An Overview of Chapter 4
In addition to the duties the Levites have in serving the priests in the tabernacle they were required to carry the tabernacle and all of its implements when it was time to move.
Before the holy objects in the tabernacle could be moved the priests would go in and cover all the objects of the tent of meeting and insert the carrying poles. Aaron and his sons would supervise the Levites and assign to each one what they were to carry. The only Levites who were allowed to carry were those who are between the age of 30-50. The only ones who “counted” were those who were serving or carrying.
Reflection
What are you doing to serve the body of Christ, do you count? What was the ransom that God provided for us? What does this passage teach us about the casual handling of God’s work? How do you serve those who have dedicated their lives to serving God?
For Further Study
Priests: Genesis 14:18, Psalm 132:9, Matthew 27:1, Romans 15:15-16, Hebrews 3:1-2, Hebrews 10:19-22, 1Peter 2:4-10
posted by Shaun Sells | 10:13 AM
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