Numbers 3 - 4

I want to look at two chapters today, chapters 3 and 4. They go together. There are a couple of things I see in these two chapters.

The first thing to see when reading these chapters is the counting of the Levites and the counting of the first born males of all the Israelites. When counting the Levites we see that every male was to be counted from 1 month old up. The total was 22,000 males in the tribe of Levi. Now the count of the First born males came to 22,273. The purpose of this count was that the Levite males were to be the substitute for all the first born males in Israel. It was a one for one substitute. The extra 273 males were bought back at a cost of 2 ounces of silver per male. This totaled 34 pounds of silver.

The Levites were to work for Aaron and care for the tent of meetings. Notice that the Levites are descendants of Aaron and Moses. Aaron’s sons were specifically set aside to be the priests. If you recall and we are reminded here that Aaron’s two oldest sons were killed because of improper actions in the tabernacle.

Aside from Aarons sons being priests every clan within the Levite tribe had a purpose in serving at the tabernacle. Whether it was to set up or tear down. Carrying the tent or caring for the furnishings. There was a purpose for each clan.

Application

The first thing I see is dealing with the first born. Can you tell me what this substitution sounds like to you? The thing that struck me was that just as the Levites were a substitute for the males of Israel we see an example of someone else who was a substitute for us. I don’t think this is a coincident I believe this was God designed and planned. He was showing them and us today a look ahead at the fact that Jesus was going to be a substitute for us. It is through him that we are saved.

The next thing I want you to grasp here is that just as every Levite had a purpose in serving at the tent of meeting so each of us has a responsibility within the church. We are not intended to just attend and not be involved. We all are not intended to be the minister or a teacher but we all can do something from praying or cleaning or anything in-between. Let me encourage you that if you are simply attending your church that you begin to seek ways to be involved in helping your church. It cannot all be done by the staff or by just a few volunteers. If we would all get involved the load of the church would be lighter and your pastor would have more time to do the thing he is suppose to do, being the priest. If there is not anything that you can see needs to be done or that is advertised for assistance ask your pastor. I am sure they would be happy to have your assistance in some way.

Numbers 2

Chapter 2 simply consists of laying out the placement of the tents in the camp. What we see here is an illustration of what we often hear, that of God being a God of order. Notice that as you read this passage the tents were to be set up in a certain way, facing a certain direction, under the family flag. Each family was placed on a specific side of the tent of meetings.

Application

Even the minor things as setting up camp God is concerned about. What seems random, is not, what seems happen chance is not. God is a God of order. He is not surprised about what happens in life. There is order and direction. The other thing we see here is that if God is interested in the placement of tents don’t you think that he is just a little interested in the things of your life and wants to bring order and direction to you. Will you listen to what he is saying to bring that order to your life?

NUMBERS 1

Imagine that a book titled Numbers start off with a count. In this case the count has to do with those of military age. This is what I would call the first Selective Service registration. In verse 3 we see God tell Moses, while in the Sinai Desert that he is to list every male by name who is at least 20 years old and eligible for military duty. This count is similar to those males in the states who are of 18 years of age.
The count was to be done in a specific way. Aaron and Moses were to take a specific male that God had chosen to help in the count for each tribe. Verses 5 – 15 lists these males. Every male of eligible for military duty and their ancestry was to be listed. You can read the count for each tribe in the following verses. The total eligible for military duty was 603,550. What is interesting in this chapter is that they were divided into divisions that had their own flag.
If you look at our modern military we are divided into divisions. There are not many units that are not part of a division. Those divisions are divided down to companies. Each unit has its own flag that distinguishes it from others. Those Soldiers that belong to that division wears a division patch to identify themselves with that division.
We see that the Israelites in verse 52 have each division had their own flag.
The only ones that were not counted for military service were the tribe of Levi. These men were set aside to be priests and care for the tabernacle.

Application

What I see here is a responsibility to ones nation. In this case to military service. This does not mean that all should serve but those who can should. We can see here that God is not against a standing military force. Many think there is a conflict between the fact that the Ten Commandments say don’t kill and serving in the military. If you recall our study in Exodus we discussed the fact that in dealing with that word kill we are dealing with murder.
So in honor of our veterans on this day we celebrate military service.

Leviticus 27

This chapter talks about things and people set aside and dedicated to God. The bottom line what is dedicated to God remains dedicated or must be bought back. It is a matter of holding ones promise and one of promises that must be held the strongest is the ones we make with God. We see in verses 1 – 8 that is speaks to a person that is vowed to be given to God. The expense to buy this person back is steep. This is shows the importance of human life and of one’s commitment to God and promises made to him.

In the rest of this chapter it deals with the giving of animals, homes, land etc. Overall what we see is that what is set aside to be given to God is considered holy and it must be given unless there is given an opportunity to buy back the item. It is not cheap to buy these things back.

We see at the end of this chapter the first mention of a tithe to God. In verses 30 – 33 it talks about one-tenth of what comes from the land belongs to the LORD. If you buy back any part you must add one-fifth more. Every tenth of livestock belong to the LORD.

Application

We are not under the law and many of us do not have crops or livestock to give, but I have practiced giving a tithe of my income since I started working at 12 and have been blessed by giving that tithe to the LORD. What the New Testament says is that what we determine to give from the heart we need to give and we should give joyfully. The bottom line is that if you dedicate something to the LORD you must give that whether it be money, home, car, or child. You must stay committed to what you have dedicated and decided to give. To not give it is to not hold to your promise to God. There is consequences for taking back what has been dedicated to God. We see in scripture what the consequences were for Israel. What it will be for you is between you and the LORD.