Numbers 20 September 2023
Lesson: 3
Numbers 3:1-4:49
Organisation of the Priests and Levites
Instruction for the Priests, Nu 3:1-4
Moses listed Aaron’s sons (v.2-3)
Nadab and Abihu, who died before the LORD, are mentioned again as a reminder of the holiness of this office (cf., Lev 10:1-2).
Instructions for the Levites, Nu 3:5-13
God appointed the tribe of Levi to be ministers unto him (v.6). They were to do the service of the tabernacle.
Moses was to give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons, to help them (v.9).
God chose the Levites instead of all the firstborn of Israel (v.12). Note the significance of this according to v.13.
The families of the Levites, Nu 3:14-20
All males from one month old and upward were to be numbered.
Levi, the son of Jacob, had three sons. Gershon had two sons. Kohath had four sons. Merari had two sons.
The census of Gershon, Nu 3:21-26
Their number was 7,500.
Their camp was to be west of the tabernacle, behind it.
Their work was to carry the tent of the tabernacle and the hangings. Thus, Gershon carried the GARMENTS.
The census of Kohath, Nu 3:27-32
Their number was 8,600.
Their camp was to be south of the tabernacle.
Their charge was the ark, the table, the candle, the altars, the vessels. Kohath carried the CONTENTS.
The census of Merari, Nu 3:33-37
Their number was 6,200.
Their camp was to be north of the tabernacle.
Their charge was the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and vessels (utensils). Merari carried the WOOD.
Moses and Aaron and their work, Nu 3:38-51
Their camp was to be on the east of the tabernacle at the front (v.38-39).
The total number of the Levites (v.40-43).
Settling the redemption of the firstborn (v.44-51)
The ministry of the Kohathites and the CONTENTS, Nu 4:1-15
The workers were the men 30-50 years old.
The priests must cover everything first (Nu 4:5-15).
The work of Eleazar, Nu 4:16-20
Make a list of Eleazar’s duties. Oil, incense, meat offering, anointing oil, oversight of everything in the tabernacle, etc.
Note God’s protection over the Kohathites who carried the contents (Nu 4:17-20). Note the seriousness of God’s holiness (Nu 4:20).
The ministry of the Gershonites and the GARMENTS, Nu 4:21-28
The workers were the men 30-50 years old.
They job was to carry all the things made from cloth or skins, the coverings, curtains, hangings and cords.
They were to serve the priests (Nu 4:27). Ithamar was their priest supervisor (Nu 4:28)
The ministry of the Merarites and the WOOD, Nu 4:29-33
The workers were the men 30-50 years old.
Their job was to carry everything made of or for wood, the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, pins and instruments.
Ithamar was their priest supervisor (Nu 4:33)
The fulfilment of these instructions, Nu 4:34-49
The eligible workers were 2,750 Kohathites, 2,630 Gershonites, and 3,200 Merarites. Totalling a number of 8,580.
Ponder
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What can you learn from this chapter since your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? Keeping it holy is very important.
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Priestly supervision was for both guidance and protection. What application can you make from this? Pastors are to guide and protect.