Shared Burden, God’s Spirit, and Contentment

Numbers 11:16-35 

    16 So the LORD said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. 18 Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, 20 but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?” ’ ”. 21 And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’ 22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough for them?”  23 And the LORD said to Moses, “Has the LORD'S arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”
    24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.  26 But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”  28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”  29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD'S people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” 30 And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
    31 Now a wind went out from the LORD, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day's journey on this side and about a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. 32 And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was aroused against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague. 34 So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving.  35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people moved to Hazeroth, and camped at Hazeroth.

Here we see the discontent and complaining for more provision, not being satisfied with God’s good gift of bread for life, led the Lord to have Moses pick seventy of the elders to share the burden of leading them.  These elders were known to be spiritual leaders by the people, not ones Moses had to discover.  He only had to choose them for the work.  They were to be given of His Spirit as on Moses, but God was still the one who promised meat to answer their complaints (notice it was not their requests, but demands).  Moses doubted, and God reminded that His strength and ability were unlimited.  He was firmly reminded to have faith.  When the elders gathered around God’s meeting place, they were given a one time ability to prophesy as His Spirit rested on them.  Two others were also prophesying and not stopped from glorifying God at the same time.  Then the Lord brought quail in from the sea all around the people to do as promised, giving them more then they needed by their greed which led to being sick of the amount, coming out their noses as it were.  But God went further to discipline them by causing it to make them all sick, killing many of them for their craving for more than God’s provision.  We should learn from their example to be content, knowing what God gives is ever enough, and our desires beyond His provision have consequences.  We need to trust.  We need to obey out of that trust because of His love and care (Matthew 6:26). 

Complaining versus Contentment

Numbers 11:1-15 

    1 Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. 3 So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them. 4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
    7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. 9 And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
    10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the LORD, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!”

God’s people complained when He provided for them, wanting something else which they imagined was more or better.  Miraculous manna was not good enough, even though His providence brought it every morning.  They demanded meat, and that immediately after others had complained and were consumed by the fire of God’s wrath!  They grumbled and reminisced of various foods in Egypt - but failed to consider that they were slaves and badly treated there, though now they were free.  Moses was frustrated and angry that he was used to lead out his people by the mighty hand of their God, yet now they were complaining and not content nor giving thanks and praise to their Deliverer.  He then complained as well to God over their attitude of discontent.  He had self-pity, asking to die instead of dealing with the burden of a rebellious and discontent people entrusted to him.  We are also called to live godly and contentedly (1 Timothy 6:6-8, Philippians 4:11).  Let us learn from bad examples to do what is right with thankfulness for His provision and grace, learning contentment instead of complaining. 

Leaving Sinai as Led

Numbers 10:11-36 

    11 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony. 12 And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran. 13 So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
    14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. 16 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.  17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.  18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 19 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 20 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.  21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.). 22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 23 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 24 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.  25 Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 27 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.  28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.
     29 Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”  30 And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”  31 So Moses said, “Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same we will do to you.”
    33 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.

35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said:
    “Rise up, O Lord!
    Let Your enemies be scattered,
    And let those who hate You flee before You.”
36 And when it rested, he said:
    “Return, O Lord,
    To the many thousands of Israel.”

Two years into their journey through the desert, Israel watched the cloud of God’s presence lift off the tabernacle of meeting, and they packed up to follow His leading.  This was the first time that they took down the tent, packed everything up, and set off in the groups as assigned by familial tribes with their identifying banners.  The father-in-law of Moses chose to go back to his own land and relatives instead of going with them, however.  They carried the ark of God’s testimony of mercy and grace before the group as they followed God’s leading to where they should next rest on their long journey.  He showed Himself leading them the entire way.  Each time they moved on Moses repeated this song of trust and triumph, and each time they rested he spoke of God’s faithfulness to them.  They knew God went before them in triumph as we do in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14) with the gospel’s battle for the souls of lost ones who need reconciliation with their Maker.  Like Israel, we as His people also journey each day, resting when called to tarry for what He has for us, and trusting in His faithfulness and grace to lead us home (Psalm 23:2-3). 

Sounding Silver Trumpets

Numbers 10:1-10 

    1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps. 3 When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 4 But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you. 5 When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey. 6 When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys. 7 And when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but not sound the advance. 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations. 9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. 10 Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

Trumpets were long metal horns for signaling, in this case to announce a gathering of the people, or to direct the camp to pick up and move as God led them through their journey to the promised land before them.  Here it was explained how both meant to gather at the tabernacle tent of meeting where God spoke to and through Moses.  When just one horn was blown, one group would pack up and begin to move out; the next blow signaled the other group.  Even when they were to go into battle later they would use these trumpets to signal the advance, and God would hear to deliver them from their enemies.  Then again, they would be blown at feasts and over offerings so they would remember their Lord God - who He is and all He has done.  The trumpets were to gain attention, bring remembrance, and direct their way.  In a similar way, God’s heralds and shepherds signal direction and worship by His word, and our spirits are then led by the understanding of His Holy Spirit in His people. 

God’s Leading of Cloud and Fire

Numbers 9:15-23 

    15 Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.
    18 At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. 19 Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey. 20 So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey. 21 So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. 22 Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. 23 At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

God led His people by removing the cloud and fire from His tabernacle of meeting.  Whereas their journey out of Egypt was a cloud to them and a fire to those pursuing them, now it was the fire over the tent at night and a cloud all day long.  The light which looked like fife at night brought attention to where God met with Moses as a reminder of His presence as well as deliverance, while the cloud could have been a reminder of both the mystery of Himself and the presence during the day.  When God led them through the desert to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (who was Israel), He showed them when to move by the cloud instead of fire and only at night.  The removal of the cloud was the time for each tribe to pack up their portion of the tabernacle and move to where God again placed His presence in the cloud at a new location.  There they would reassemble the tent to meet with God until the next move.  Forty years in the desert wilderness God led them this way that they might learn to trust and follow His leading and not their own wisdom.  We now are led by His Spirit living in us according to His word written to guide us more clearly, yet we still look to Him along life’s narrow way where He walks and talks this with us.  The lesson from God’s leading by cloud and the light like fire then is to follow His way and not according to our own imaginations. 

Passover Reminder to Holiness

Numbers 9:1-14 

    1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it.” 4 So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. 5 And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. 6 Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. 7 And those men said to him, “We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?”
    8 And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”  9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord's Passover. 11 On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the Lord at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
    14 ‘And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the Lord's Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land.’ ”

In the second year after God’s people were delivered from bondage, they kept the Passover as a reminder of how the Lord spared their firstborn by the lamb’s blood marking them as His.  They ate the bitter herbs and hard bread as if reliving the haste to leave the next morning from their captivity.  This was how they commemorated the work of God in their deliverance, but they were reminded that they were also to keep themselves spotless from sin.  But if they did defile themselves, they were better off keeping the remembrance of the Passover than being clean and failing to keep it.  Also if a stranger came among God’s people, he could also partake as long as it was according to God’s prescribed way.  We see the parallel to being passed over from God’s judgement on our sin by the protection of the blood of Christ who died as our sacrificial lamb to make us righteous in Him and among His firstborn from the dead (Hebrews 12:23, Romans 8:29).  We remember and commemorate His passing over our sins (Romans 3:25) in His merciful grace to display His glory in His mighty outstretched hand of deliverance (salvation).  We remember especially at the Lord’s table as we contemplate this great salvation and respond with the pursuit of holiness. 

Arrangement of Lamps and Levites

Numbers 8:1-26 

    1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ ” 3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses. 4 Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
    5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean. 8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin offering. 9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel. 10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites; 11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the Lord. 12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the Lord, to make atonement for the Levites.
    13 “And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the Lord. 14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering. 16 For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel. 17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. 18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.”
    20 Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them. 21 And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22 After that the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
    23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; 25 and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more. 26 They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.”

Here is how the lamps and Levites were arranged in the tabernacle according to God’s plan and direction to Moses.  The light had to shine outward toward the front of the lampstand (menorah), and the Levites had to stand cleansed and dedicated to the work of their ministry in the tabernacle.  The Levitical priests were purified and then paid for by atoning sacrifices, then offered to the Lord as a wave offering to demonstrate that they were devoted to His ownership and service.  They were taken instead of the firstborn of Israel who were spared in Egypt’s judgement by the Passover.  These were then given as the firstborn of the people to the Lord as His possession.  Then they served in the tabernacle where the high priest met with God.  Their ministry of atonement kept God’s wrath on their sin from coming on them as was deserved.  We all deserve His wrath on our sin because nobody is born good or does good (Romans 3:12, 3:23) in keeping every point of God’s laws.  Christ Jesus as the firstborn from the dead, who was raised by God’s power, He was offered up in our place to atone for all our sin, once forever (Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12) for those He is given by the Father and calls out by name (John 6:37, 2 Timothy 2:19).  In this way we are passed over for just punishment by His blood (death) as our Passover sacrifice marking our souls’ doors as His.  We, like the Levites, now are bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) to serve Him in the gospel as we minister these temples of our bodies where He now dwells. 

Communication with the Almighty

Numbers 7:89

    89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

After the consecration and sacrifices of the tabernacle by God’s people by the head of each family, we come to this verse.  Moses went into the tabernacle to meet with God.  He actually went in and spoke with God, both listening and talking with Him!  What did he hear?  The voice of the one Who Is Who He Is, the one positioned Himself over the seat of mercy of His Testimony.  The Lord spoke out of mercy to forgive as the sacrifices were made according to the testimony of His word which promised these things.  He also spoke amidst angels as if seated in the heavenly place of His dwelling where they continually worship and praise Him day and night forever.  This is the place where God spoke with Moses as His interceding spokesman of mercy and grace.  Do we speak with God in prayer as we acknowledge His sacrifice in Jesus Christ, praising Him for who He is and the work done for us in eternal mercy and grace?  Let us boldly draw near to that throne in the heavenly places (Hebrews 4:16) in communication and communion with the Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of all lords. Let us listen and worship the Lord our Maker (Psalm 95:6).  Amen. 

Consecration Offerings for the Tabernacle

Numbers 7:1-12 

    1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering. 3 And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle. 4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.” 6 So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. 7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service; 8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders.
    10 Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. 11 For the Lord said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.”
12 And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah.
18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, presented an offering.
24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the children of Zebulun, presented an offering.
30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the children of Reuben, presented an offering.
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the children of Simeon, presented an offering.
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the children of Gad, presented an offering.
48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the children of Ephraim, presented an offering.
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the children of Manasseh, presented an offering.
60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the children of Benjamin, presented an offering.
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the children of Dan, presented an offering.
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, leader of the children of Asher, presented an offering.
78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the children of Naphtali, presented an offering.
    84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel, when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold pans. 85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy shekels. All the silver of the vessels weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one hundred and twenty shekels. 87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve young bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs in their first year twelve, with their grain offering, and the kids of the goats as a sin offering twelve. 88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings were twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, and the lambs in their first year sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.

Here we see the tabernacle set up for worship and the leader of each tribe of Israel bringing an offering of dedication and consecration.  The gifts were the same, and this equality provided twelve silver platters, twelve bowls, and twelve gold pans, one for each family of God’s people.  Of course there were also the numerous burnt, grain, sin, and peace offering sacrifices as well.  These all dedicated the altar and tabernacle for worship of the Lord and atonement for sin. The sacrifices covered sin and sought peace with God for the people’s sin, but were ineffective for eternity; only a perfect sacrifice would atone for sin and provide lasting peace with the Lord.  Christ’s sacrifice of atonement coves our sin forever and gives us eternal peace with God in and through Him.  Amen! 

Our Priestly Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27 

22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

    24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
    25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
    And be gracious to you;
    26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
    And give you peace.” ’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

This prayer is often used today still as a benediction.  The Lord God told Moses to give these words to Aaron and the priests, that they might offer blessings to His people whom they minister to.  ‘In this way’ reminds us of the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus also told His followers to pray (Matthew 6:9) ‘in this manner.’  We need not have the exact words to confer the precise blessings of God, but the right heart of ministry as priests of the gospel, which every regenerated believer is who follows Christ as the Son of God.   We see here that it is the Lord who blesses us, not our own strivings.  He is the one who bestows the grace of His face in His Son (2 Corinthians 4:6) upon us, shining that face on us with such undeserved grace!  He is ever gracious to His children.  He still chooses to look upon us who are unrighteous sinners with love in the righteousness of Christ in whom we live and have our being.  He gives us peace with Himself in Christ (Romans 5:1, 2 John 1:3) as the ultimate blessing of which the passage here looked forward to as we look back on it and marvel at His love and forgiveness in the grace of His Son sacrificed for us, who gave His life that we might live and enjoy His blessings unto the Father’s glory forever and ever, amen!  

Vows of Holiness to Live By

Numbers 6:1-21 

    1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin. 5 “All the days of the vow of his separation no razor shall come upon his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. 6 All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body. 7 He shall not make himself unclean even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. 8 All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the Lord.
    9 “And if anyone dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it. 10 Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting; 11 and the priest shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned in regard to the corpse; and he shall sanctify his head that same day. 12 He shall consecrate to the Lord the days of his separation, and bring a male lamb in its first year as a trespass offering; but the former days shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
    13 “Now this is the law of the Nazirite: When the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 14 And he shall present his offering to the Lord: one male lamb in its first year without blemish as a burnt offering, one ewe lamb in its first year without blemish as a sin offering, one ram without blemish as a peace offering, 15 a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering with their drink offerings. 
    16 “Then the priest shall bring them before the Lord and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering; 17 and he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, with the basket of unleavened bread; the priest shall also offer its grain offering and its drink offering. 18 Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.
    19 ‘And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them upon the hands of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecrated hair, 20 and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord; they are holy for the priest, together with the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.’
    21 “This is the law of the Nazirite who vows to the Lord the offering for his separation, and besides that, whatever else his hand is able to provide; according to the vow which he takes, so he must do according to the law of his separation.”

The vow of a Nazirite was one of devoted consecration for a period of time, a setting aside of himself or herself to pursue the things of God.  These would not drink wine, shave, get haircuts, or even go near dead people even if close family.  Burnt and sin offerings were made afterwards when the vow concluded to close the dedicated time with reminders of who they had done this consecration for.  Even the hair that had grown long during the vow was cut and burned as a peace offering, peace with God for the devoted time and its ending.  This could have been a reminder of the ongoing honoring of God when the time ended, offering back the time as if redeemed to Him, which we who are in Christ should always do (Ephesians 5:15-16, Colossians 4:5).  We are to be living sacrifices, holy and devoted to our Lord and His gospel of reconciling grace and mercy.  This means a lifelong consecration to our Lord, not for a limited time only.  We are as permanent Nazirites to Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven, seeking to live holy in thought and deed as we mortify our selfish flesh by His Spirit of holiness living in us. 

Jealousy and Covenant Faithfulness

Numbers 5:11-31

    11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man's wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him, 13 and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught— 14 if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself— 15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering of jealousy, an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance.
    16 “And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord. 17 The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. 18 Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman's head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. 19 And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband's authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse. 20 But if you have gone astray while under your husband's authority, and if you have defiled yourself and some man other than your husband has lain with you”— 21 then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman—“the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell; 22 and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.”  “Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.”
    23 “Then the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall scrape them off into the bitter water. 24 And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitter. 25 Then the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand, shall wave the offering before the Lord, and bring it to the altar; 26 and the priest shall take a handful of the offering, as its memorial portion, burn it on the altar, and afterward make the woman drink the water. 27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. 28 But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children.
    29 ‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband's authority, goes astray and defiles herself, 30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man, and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the Lord, and the priest shall execute all this law upon her. 31 Then the man shall be free from iniquity, but that woman shall bear her guilt.’ ”

Faithfulness in the covenant of marriage is important to God as well as to us.  These verses speak of a possible unfaithful wife and her husband’s suspicions of jealousy.  It could be applied the other way around as well, but in this time it was based on the headship and responsibilities of the husband.  There were tests to bring out the truth, but these themselves likely did not show the sin or innocence as much as the call to conscience that resulted in the consequences which would manifest as the priest was told to say by God.  The bottom line in these matters is that God takes the covenant very seriously, and so should we.  False suspicions must be rooted out along with true sin and guilt.  Likewise in our covenant with our Lord He will bring out our unfaithfulness and guilt or innocence by His word and Spirit who lives within each of us.  He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5, 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24) who desires and demands our hearts and willing obedience out of the love shown us in return; we love Him because He first loved us.  Purity is therefore essential in our earthly marriage covenant as well as in our heavenly new covenant in Christ’s blood.  We are called to be holy because He is. 

Holiness, Confession, and Restitution

Numbers 5:1-10

    1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse. 3 You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.” 4 And the children of Israel did so, and put them outside the camp; as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did.
    5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty, 7 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged. 8 But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him. 9 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. 10 And every man's holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest shall be his.’ ”

Sinfulness did not belong in the holy camp of the Lord God.  Israel was to put the diseased outside of the congregation, not only for physical well-being, but also as a warning for not dealing with sin and letting it spread to others.  The very next paragraph might seem to be unrelated, but it adds to the command by specifying how to deal with sin.  It is by confession, that is, by acknowledging it is sin and that the one going against God’s word realizes and confessed that unfaithful thought and deed to God and man.  Furthermore, the one who is wronged should then receive restitution by the perpetrator.  If the person wronged and nobody in the family can be located to give the restitution to, then it was to be offered to God.  Likewise when we wrong others as Christians, we ought to follow the same pattern of forgiveness and restitution to man and God as Matthew 5:24 instructs us to do when we have offended our brother or sister.  This is our holiness before God and man by confessing our sins and making restitution with both. 

Counted for Service

Numbers 4:34-49 

    34 And Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families and by their fathers’ house, 35 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting; 36 and those who were numbered by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 37 These were the ones who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
    38 And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families and by their fathers’ house, 39 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting— 40 those who were numbered by their families, by their fathers’ house, were two thousand six hundred and thirty. 41 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord.
    42 Those of the families of the sons of Merari who were numbered, by their families, by their fathers’ house, 43 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting— 44 those who were numbered by their families were three thousand two hundred. 45 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
    46 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers’ houses, 47 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who came to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tabernacle of meeting— 48 those who were numbered were eight thousand five hundred and eighty.
    49 According to the commandment of the Lord they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Levitical priests were numbered after assigned their roles of service to the Aaronic priests.  Their numbers are recorded here as a testimony to God’s calling and work in the tabernacle of meeting where atoning sacrifices were made for the sins of His people.  By the Lord’s command and through the hand of Moses they were counted to serve and bear the burdens as it says here.  We learn that God initially did not number the priests and levites, just those who were able to go to war; afterwards these were counted as well, but for the service of worship and not war.  He gave command for separate census counts to separate the two roles of national defense in His name to take the promised land, and for service of ministry to intercede atonement for His people.  Likewise, we serve in our respective countries to sustain our way of life as God provides as well as in ministry of the gospel to the body of Christ and the world around us.  We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) for reconciliation by His atonement once for all (Hebrews 9:12) whom He calls.  We minister His grace to one another as well because we are a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6, Revelation 1:6, 5:10) to serve others as we serve Him in the roles and by the gifts He gives each of us individually (1 Corinthians 12:11). 

Levitical Priest’s Service

Numbers 4:1-33

    1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house, 3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting. 4 “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things: 5 When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. 6 Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles.
    7 “On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the pans, the bowls, and the pitchers for pouring; and the showbread shall be on it. 8 They shall spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles. 9 And they shall take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand of the light, with its lamps, its wick-trimmers, its trays, and all its oil vessels, with which they service it. 10 Then they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of badger skins, and put it on a carrying beam.
    11 “Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles. 12 Then they shall take all the utensils of service with which they minister in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of badger skins, and put them on a carrying beam. 13 Also they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 They shall put on it all its implements with which they minister there—the firepans, the forks, the shovels, the basins, and all the utensils of the altar—and they shall spread on it a covering of badger skins, and insert its poles. 15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. “These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.  16 “The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.”  17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 18 “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; 19 but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task. 20 But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.”
    21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 22 “Also take a census of the sons of Gershon, by their fathers’ house, by their families. 23 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting. 24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying: 25 They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of meeting with its covering, the covering of badger skins that is on it, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, 26 the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, all the furnishings for their service and all that is made for these things: so shall they serve.  27 “Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their tasks and all their service. And you shall appoint to them all their tasks as their duty. 28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting. And their duties shall be under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
    29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house. 30 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 31 And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 32 and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry. 33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

Sons of Levi are given their duties to serve Aaron and the priests in the ministry of the tabernacle.  The Kohathites, Gerahonites, and those of Merari are first addressed; they are given specific duties as the Lord assigned through Moses.  It is important to note that it is God who prepared and assigned each for His work, and it was not Moses who did this.  These worked under the sons of Aaron, the priests, to do God’s work.  We see the parallel in the church of Jesus Christ, where authorities of elders are placed over others doing His work (Ephesians 4:11-16) within the body.  It is not one man directing this as God’s spokesman like Moses; no pope rules over that which Christ alone is the head.  The Holy Spirit gives the gifts to glorify that body with the Son’s authority given by the Father of all.  We serve the servants who serve Christ. 

Levites as Firstborn

Numbers 3:40-51 

    40 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.” 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
    44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the Lord. 46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs. 48 And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons.”
    49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The firstborn of Israel were not counted in the numbering because of the Passover in Egypt which spared them as those of the Egyptians were taken.  Now when the firstborn of God’s people were to be counted, the Levites were given instead to Him in their place.  These were redeemed with money given to God’s work to the priests of Aaron’s line to serve Him.  Christ was similarly given as the firstborn from the grave to pay our price and provide for us to serve Him in the work of the gospel.  There are many such parallels and foreshadowing of the redemption and work of Christ and His called ones in these examples given us. 

The Priesthood’s Servants Are Numbered

Numbers 3:1-39 

    1 Now these are the records of Aaron and Moses when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he consecrated to minister as priests. 4 Nadab and Abihu had died before the Lord when they offered profane fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.
    5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7 And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle. 8 Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle. 9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel. 10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
    11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 12 “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine, 13 because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the Lord.”
    14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying: 15 “Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”  16 So Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded. 17 These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses.
    21 From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites. 22 Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above—of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred. 23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward. 24 And the leader of the father's house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael. 25 The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, 26 the screen for the door of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, according to all the work relating to them.
    27 From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary. 29 The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31 Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.
    32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.
    33 From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari. 34 And those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred. 35 The leader of the fathers' house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them, 37 and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.
    38 Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death. 39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

Up to this point the Levites were seemingly exempt from the census numbering of God’s people.  They were servants of the tabernacle and of the priests Aaron and his sons, given by the Lord to serve under them.  Since the Levites were taken out of all the firstborn of the tribes and set aside to God, they were His firstborn from the time He killed Egypt’s firstborn; as a sacrifice, they were now dedicated to Him out of all His people.  Before this time, they were not numbered, though they definitely counted to God.  Now it is time to count them as well to further see God’s Grace and promise of fruitfulness fulfilled, this time set apart (chosen) in dedicated service under the priests.  There were twenty-two thousand of them as the census revealed.  We see a parallel in God’s chosen in Christ who serve under our Great High Priest, the firstborn’s firstborn from the dead (Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 12:23).  Of course we are also a kingdom of priests who minister the gospel under the chief Priest, and serve the heavenly tabernacle’s ministry, not an earthly one.  We are called out, chosen to be numbered to serve as well. 

Family Roles in Service

Numbers 2:1-34 

    1 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2 “Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father's house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. 3 On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, those of the standard of the forces with Judah shall camp according to their armies; and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be the leader of the children of Judah.” 4 And his army was numbered at seventy-four thousand six hundred. 5 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, and Nethanel the son of Zuar shall be the leader of the children of Issachar.” 6 And his army was numbered at fifty-four thousand four hundred.
    7 “Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, and Eliab the son of Helon shall be the leader of the children of Zebulun.” 8 And his army was numbered at fifty-seven thousand four hundred. 9 “All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Judah, one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred—these shall break camp first.
    10 “On the south side shall be the standard of the forces with Reuben according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.” 11 And his army was numbered at forty-six thousand five hundred.
    12 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon, and the leader of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.” 13 And his army was numbered at fifty-nine thousand three hundred.

14 “Then comes the tribe of Gad, and the leader of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.” 15 And his army was numbered at forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty. 16 “All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Reuben, one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty—they shall be the second to break camp.
    

    17 “And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall move out, everyone in his place, by their standards.

    18 “On the west side shall be the standard of the forces with Ephraim according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.” 19 And his army was numbered at forty thousand five hundred.
    20 “Next to him comes the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.” 21 And his army was numbered at thirty-two thousand two hundred.
    22 “Then comes the tribe of Benjamin, and the leader of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.” 23 And his army was numbered at thirty-five thousand four hundred. 24 “All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Ephraim, one hundred and eight thousand one hundred—they shall be the third to break camp.
    25 “The standard of the forces with Dan shall be on the north side according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.” 26 And his army was numbered at sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
    27 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher, and the leader of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.” 28 And his army was numbered at forty-one thousand five hundred.
    29 “Then comes the tribe of Naphtali, and the leader of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.” 30 And his army was numbered at fifty-three thousand four hundred. 31 “All who were numbered of the forces with Dan, one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred—they shall break camp last, with their standards.”
    32 These are the ones who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers’ houses. All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty. 33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.  34 Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses.

The families of Israel each had a specific role and position to take around the tabernacle of God.  Their numbers are given here again to demonstrate and remind of God’s faithfulness to His promise, and each family tribe is numbered except for those who were for service in the tabernacle and not for war (the Levites).  In the middle of these descriptions is the command for the tabernacle to be moved when the Levites break camp to travel at God’s direction (Numbers 2:17).  The last verse then demonstrates the obedience of God’s people to act accordingly where they camped and how they broke camp to travel as they followed His leading by the priests who were led by Moses who was led by God and His word.  This hierarchy is similar to the pattern given for the church, as the people are under Christ who leads elders and pastors and teachers and the rest of the body under Him as the head. 

The Final Count

Numbers 1:28-54

    28 From the children of Issachar, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 29 those who were numbered of the tribe of Issachar were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
    30 From the children of Zebulun, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 31 those who were numbered of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
    32 From the sons of Joseph, the children of Ephraim, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 33 those who were numbered of the tribe of Ephraim were forty thousand five hundred.
    34 From the children of Manasseh, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 35 those who were numbered of the tribe of Manasseh were thirty-two thousand two hundred.
    36 From the children of Benjamin, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 37 those who were numbered of the tribe of Benjamin were thirty-five thousand four hundred.
    38 From the children of Dan, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 39 those who were numbered of the tribe of Dan were sixty-two thousand seven hundred. 
    40 From the children of Asher, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 41 those who were numbered of the tribe of Asher were forty-one thousand five hundred.
    42 From the children of Naphtali, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 43 those who were numbered of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty-three thousand four hundred.
    44 These are the ones who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, with the leaders of Israel, twelve men, each one representing his father's house. 45 So all who were numbered of the children of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war in Israel— 46 all who were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
    47 But the Levites were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe; 48 for the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying: 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel; 50 but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death. 52 The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies; 53 but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony.”
    54 Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.

These verses count the rest of the Israelites by those old enough to fight in defense of His people.  The families of Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are tallied in Gods census to demonstrate His faithfulness in multiplying His people as promised.  The total was six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.  A far cry from the seventy who went down to join Joseph and his family in Egypt.  Of course, the Levitical priests were not counted because they were to minister to the Lord in the sacrifices and sanctuary, not go to war.  They fought in a sense for Israel’s sin through intercessory sacrifices.  These things the people did according to God’s command, to count the people as a testimony to His faithfulness at His word (not for selfish pride in their numbers as in 1 Chronicles 21:1).  We learn that God proves His faithfulness to us at times to increase our faltering faith, and to remind us of His sovereign work through His covenant.  In the new covenant of Christ Jesus, we have the assurance of His accounting which we will know the final numbers when we meet Him in the kingdom. 

Numbered While Wandering

Numbers 1:1-27 

    1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually, 3 from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father's house.  5 “These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: from Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; 6 from Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 7 from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; 8 from Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar; 9 from Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon; 10 from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; 11 from Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; 12 from Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; 13 from Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran; 14 from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel; 15 from Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.” 16 These were chosen from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, heads of the divisions in Israel.  17 Then Moses and Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name, 18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they recited their ancestry by families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, each one individually. 19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the Wilderness of Sinai.
    20 Now the children of Reuben, Israel's oldest son, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 21 those who were numbered of the tribe of Reuben were forty-six thousand five hundred.
    22 From the children of Simeon, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, of those who were numbered, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 23 those who were numbered of the tribe of Simeon were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.
    24 From the children of Gad, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 25 those who were numbered of the tribe of Gad were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.
    26 From the children of Judah, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 27 those who were numbered of the tribe of Judah were seventy-four thousand six hundred.

The book of numbers is where God has Moses count the number of Israel who He delivered out of the bondage of Egypt and into the desert where they were traveling through.  This census in the second year after they were freed was only of those able to fight, those males over twenty, by each tribe family.  These verses count the first numbers of the twelve tribes, of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, and Judah. They varied from forty-six to seventy-four thousand, a far cry from the seventy of Jacob who went down to Egypt four hundred and thirty years before their deliverance (Exodus 1:5, 12:40-41, Acts 7:6).  God had blessed and multiplied them as promised, in spite of and through their captive enslavement.  He had commanded and promised this from Adam to the fathers through faith by covenant, and now numbered them to display His work of the fulfillment of His promise.  They were numbered while wandering, yet the promise of a land already given would see their numbers continue to multiply and fill the earth.  We are also promised a heavenly country by the new covenant in Christ’s blood, and are counted among those chosen out of sin’s bondage as His people in similar manner. 

Devotion and Redemption

Leviticus 27:1-34 

    1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When a man consecrates by a vow certain persons to the Lord, according to your valuation, 3 if your valuation is of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels; 5 and if from five years old up to twenty years old, then your valuation for a male shall be twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels; 6 and if from a month old up to five years old, then your valuation for a male shall be five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation shall be three shekels of silver; 7 and if from sixty years old and above, if it is a male, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8 “But if he is too poor to pay your valuation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall set a value for him; according to the ability of him who vowed, the priest shall value him.
    9 “If it is an animal that men may bring as an offering to the Lord, all that anyone gives to the Lord shall be holy. 10 He shall not substitute it or exchange it, good for bad or bad for good; and if he at all exchanges animal for animal, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy. 11 If it is an unclean animal which they do not offer as a sacrifice to the Lord, then he shall present the animal before the priest; 12 and the priest shall set a value for it, whether it is good or bad; as you, the priest, value it, so it shall be. 13 But if he wants at all to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth to your valuation.
    14 “And when a man dedicates his house to be holy to the Lord, then the priest shall set a value for it, whether it is good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall stand. 15 If he who dedicated it wants to redeem his house, then he must add one-fifth of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall be his.
    16 “If a man dedicates to the Lord part of a field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17 If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18 But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money due according to the years that remain till the Year of Jubilee, and it shall be deducted from your valuation. 19 And if he who dedicates the field ever wishes to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall belong to him. 20 But if he does not want to redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed anymore; 21 but the field, when it is released in the Jubilee, shall be holy to the Lord, as a devoted field; it shall be the possession of the priest.
    22 “And if a man dedicates to the Lord a field which he has bought, which is not the field of his possession, 23 then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation, up to the Year of Jubilee, and he shall give your valuation on that day as a holy offering to the Lord. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to him from whom it was bought, to the one who owned the land as a possession. 25 And all your valuations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel.
    26 “But the firstborn of the animals, which should be the Lord's firstborn, no man shall dedicate; whether it is an ox or sheep, it is the Lord's. 27 And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation, and shall add one-fifth to it; or if it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.
    28 ‘Nevertheless no devoted offering that a man may devote to the Lord of all that he has, both man and beast, or the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted offering is most holy to the Lord. 29 No person under the ban, who may become doomed to destruction among men, shall be redeemed, but shall surely be put to death. 30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. 33 He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’ ”
    34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.

Everything offered as a devotion to the Lord is His, and is therefore holy.  Whatever was given control and ownership to God, whether persons, lands, animals, and tithes - these all were dedicated to Him as commanded through Moses.  We can see from these that the firstborn is His, which is completed in His Son Jesus the Christ.  He is set apart and sets us apart as living sacrifices which are to be wholly devoted to our Lord in both body and soul.  We have been bought at such a price, and are now eternally redeemed as His holy possessions and better yet, His children!  Each day and all we possess comes from and must be offered back to Him daily.  We have become priests and minister ourselves as living sacrifices (Revelation 5:10, Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5).  This is true devotion and redemption.