In the opening chapter God commands Moses to take a census of
all the able men from the age of 20 and up who were able to serve
in the army 1-4. The heads of tribes were to help in this process
4,16-19. God knows these men by name "whose names had been given"
17 by God 5. Note: Every person is counted and 'every person
counts'. The people were careful to keep tract of their ancestral
records 18, because God's promises and purposes were connected with
certain tribes and particular people. The final count (total
number) was 603,550 men 44-46 with the expect ion of the Levites
47-54 whose purpose was in connection with the Tabernacle and its
service. Note: Amazing that God provided food and water for all the
people for over 2 years now (v 1). He is able ! How great is our
God who, like Israel of old, calls us by name in connection with
His purposes (Isaiah 43:1 ff). Have you answered His call ?
Numbers 2
God assigns the placement of the tribes in relation to the
Tabernacle which was to be in the very middle of them 17. Each
family and clan encamped in their place and set out in the order
that God decided. They were under their own standards 34. Note: Do
you and I live and move in relation to God? Is He the very center
of your life ? God graciously and sovereignly assigns us to the
places where we live that we might seek and know Him (see: Acts
17:24-31).
Numbers 3
The Levites were to be counted and assigned their special place
and purposes God had for them. They were given to Aaron and his
sons to help with the work of the Tabernacle 5-10. The Levites as a
tribe, were set apart by God for God 11-16, 44-45. Note: Each clan
did a particular role/work so that Aaron and his sons could carry
out the ministry of the Tabernacle 21-37. This illustrates the
principle we see in the New Testament church as a body. According
to 1 Corinthians 12 each believer has a purpose, function, and role
assigned to him or her by God. Do you know and fulfill your
God-given role
Numbers 4
The families of the Levites are given further details about
their assigned work. Aaron and his sons were the only ones who were
to cover all the Tabernacle furnishings. No one was allowed to
touch or even look on them for a moment, under penalty of death
15,20. The assignments: the Kohathites were to carry all the
covered holy things 4,15; the Gershonites were to carry all the
curtains of the Tabernacle and Tent of meeting 21-28. Note: this is
called their responsibility 27, service 28, and duties 28b.
Merarites were to carry all the framing (boards) of the Tabernacle
29-33. The total number of those able to carry out this service was
8,580 (v 48). A summary of this chapter is found in verse 49 "each
was assigned his work and told what to carry" Note: Do I do what
God has asked me to do in service to Him ? Remember, in all work,
God can be served and glorified (Colossians 3:17).
Numbers 5
The ceremonially unclean were sent outside the camp 1-4. Those
who do wrong are to confess their sins and make things right by
restitution plus one fifth (to the one wronged) 5-10. The following
verses 11-31 describe a ritual that a woman (wife) was to undergo
if her husband suspected her of marital unfaithfulness 14,29-30. It
would appear that the oath she took before the Lord and the 'bitter
water' she drank 17-18 would either prove her innocent or guilty
(with consequences) 23-28. I do not know why the woman is singled
out but the husband is innocent 29-31. Note: Wiersbe wonders if any
husband actually went through with this public ritual. He reasons
that this would expose their marital problems. I would add that
either outcome would show they were having problems since he would
be suspicious and she may be promiscuous. The point God is making
is that He takes marriage and faithfulness to one's spouse
seriously. The whole chapter is a call to purity by God's
people.
Numbers 6
God gives His people directions concerning vows of separation
they would make to the Lord. The Nazirite vow was one of separation
for a specific length of time during which certain things were to
be avoided 2-7. It was also a time of consecration to the Lord 8.
Sacrifices were to be made if the conditions of the vow were
broken; atonement was to be made 11. The person was still under
obligation to fulfill the vow 12. Once fulfilled a number of
offerings were to be brought to the priest namely; a lamb, a ewe
lamb, a grain offering and drink offering, along with a basket of
bread 14-20. Having completed the vow, the person was free from the
special rules of separation (20b). A person was encouraged to add
to what he had already offered 21. Note: Taking a vow was very
costly and a very serious matter before the Lord. Though this is an
OT rite, God still expects His people to be men and women of our
word (Matthew 5:33-37 & 12:37,38). How much more so those
things we say (vow) we will do for the Lord (see: Ecclesiastes
5:4-6).
The priestly blessing is stated in 22-27 and is used by many
pastors as a benediction to a time of corporate worship. Oh that
God would fulfill this blessing in the lives of all His people. May
God make these things so in your life and mine!
Numbers 7
Oxen and carts were brought from the leaders for the Levites use
in transporting the Tabernacle 1-8. This was acceptable to the
Lord, however the Kohathites were to carry the holy things on their
shoulders 9. Note: Some work is more burdensome to undertake than
other tasks. It must be remembered that it is the Lord who calls us
to a task and also enables us, through Him, to do it.
The offerings of the leaders of each tribe bring offerings for
the dedication of the Tabernacle. This is recorded in exact detail
13-83. Note: This indicated that God carefully records all that is
given to Him by His people.(Hebrews 6:10) He even notes when we
speak of Him (see: Malachi 3:16). In case you wonder the amount by
2010 standards: the silver was 60 pounds ($14, 500) and the gold
was about 3 pounds ($3,200) used in making these bowls containing
grains and incense. In addition 204 animals (in total) were given
as offerings 84-88. Note: We are told God spoke from the mercy seat
to Moses 89. He actually heard the voice of God. He speaks to us
today with the same clarity and authority through His Word (the
Bible). Do you have ears to hear Him ?
Numbers 8
The Lamps 1-4 and the Levites 5-26. The Levites were set-part to
the Lord for His service and began only after they had been
purified 5-15. They were given wholly to the Lord in place of the
first born of all the Israelites whom God spared in Egypt 16-18.
They were given to Aaron and his sons as a gift to assist in the
work of the Tabernacle 19. Levites served from the age of 25 to 50
and then were to retire, though they may assist in retirement.
Note: Through Christ we are all set-part to the Lord as His
servants. He is the one who has provided the sacrifice (Jesus
Christ) and He is the One who purifies us so that we are fit for
His use. Notice that retirement does not mean uninvolvement in the
work of the Lord. Those retired can be used by God to assist those
who are still serving full time.