Numbers 3 – 4 and Moving Tomorrow

Numbers 3 – 4

In the first two chapters of Numbers, we saw learned about the number of the twelve tribes, how they were stationed about the Tabernacle when the Israelites camped, and the order in which they marched. In chapters 3 and 4, we learn about the Levites, how many there were, where they were assigned to camp in relationship to the Tabernacle, and what their duties were.

Aaron had four sons, but Nadab and Abihu died when they burned the wrong kind of fire before the Lord. That left Aaron’s sons Eleazar and Ithamar to serves as priests with their father.

Aaron and Moses were descendants of Jacob’s son Levi. The rest of the Levites were to serve as assistants to Aaron and his sons.

The Levites were to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of Israel. God says (Num. 3:13, “…I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.”

Did you notice that when God numbered the non-Levitical Israelites, he counted all men twenty and older who were able to go to war? When he counts the Levites, he counts all males one month old or older based on which of Levi’s sons they were descended from: Gershon, Kohath, or Merari.

A further division by clans was also made, based on the descendants of Gershon, Kohath, or Merari:

• Gershon (7500 males one month old or older)
  • Assigned the area to the west of the Tabernacle for their camp
  • Clans:
    • Libni
    • Shimei
  • Responsible to care for the Tabernacle, including the sacred tent with its layers of coverings, the curtain at its entrance, the curtains of the of the courtyard, and the curtain at the courtyard entrance, the ropes and all the equipment related to their use
• Kohath (8600 males one month ord or older)
  • Assigned the area to the south of the Tabernacle for their camp
  • Clans:
    • Amram
    • Izhar
    • Hebron
    • Uzziel
  • Responsible for the care of the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the various articles used in the sanctuary, the inner curtain, and all the equipment related to their use
• Merari (6200 males one month old or older)
  • Assigned the area to the north of the Tabernacle
  • Clans:
    • Mahli
    • Mushi
  • Responsible for the care of the frames supporting the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the pillars, the bases, and all the equipment related to their use, as well as the posts of the courtyard and all their bases, pegs, and ropes

This left the area in front of the Tabernacle (to the east) for the tents of Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons, who had the final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel. Aaron’s son Eleazar, the chief administrator over all the Levites, had special responsibility for sanctuary oversight.

The Levites were to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of Israel. God says (Num. 3:13, “…I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.” The number of firstborn sons of the Israelites one month or older was 22,273. The number of Levites one month old or older was 22,000. In other words, there were 273 more first-born sons of the Israelites than there were Levites. In order to redeem these extras, Aaron was to collect five pieces of silver for each of the extras – 1365 pieces of silver.

Numbers 4 goes into a little more detail on the responsibilities of the Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites.

When the camp moved, Aaron and his sons had to enter the Tabernacle first to get things ready to carry, then the Kohathites were to carry these things. They were not allowed to touch the sacred objects or they would die.

The Gershonites, who reported to Aaron’s son Ithamar, were responsible for general service and carrying loads.

The Merarites, who also reported to Aaron’s son Ithamar, were only responsible for carrying loads.

In terms of service, only men between thirty and fifty years old were eligible for service in the Tabernacle. There were 2750 Kohathites, 2630 Gershonites, and 3200 Merarites who met the criteria for a total of 8580.

Tomorrow, it’s Numbers 5 – 6.

Moving Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I’m moving my camper down two spaces to Lot #146. I’ve packed up most of the loose stuff today and put down a new mat for in front of my camper. I am definitely not looking forward to backing this camper up. Hopefully, we won’t have a repeat of Yellowstone Park like the last time I backed a camper up into that spot. Remember?