Bless our Pastors

As we move on to Numbers 3, we are focusing on the Levites who are dedicated to service in the tabernacle.  In the last chapter, we looked at the setup of the camp. In Exodus 33:7-11, we see that the tent of meeting was outside the camp.  Moses would go outside the camp to meet with God.  Now the presence of God is central to the camp.  This reflects the progressive revelation of God among his people and the progressive preparation of a people to be fit to live in his presence.  God also gives us progressive revelation today.  As we grow closer to God, we see more of Him. “[O]n a day yet to come, there will be the full realization of the presence of the person of God dwelling in the midst of his people in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-4).”  (Expositor’s Commentary p. 716)

Reflection: When have you seen this to be true in your life? When have you grown closer to God then seen more of Him?

Balaam says in Num 24:5, “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!”  God’s encampment was beautiful in His sight.

The Levites and Priests' Place

There was no tribe of Levi in our diagram in the last chapter.  Today we learn about their place and responsibilities.  The Levites were not counted in the army census because they would not take up arms and march out to battle.  As the Lord’s ministers, the Levites performed important services year round, not just in times of war.  God protected Israel at all times and ministry to God was of utmost priority.  Not drafting Levites reflects Israel’s honor of God’s reign in their community. (NIV Application Commentary p. 512)

In Exodus 32, Moses was on top of Mount Sinai with God and the Israelites grew impatient and said they didn't know what happened to Moses so they asked Aaron, Moses' brother and assistant leader, to make them a god to take them back to Egypt.  Aaron made a gold calf that they began worshiping.  Moses heard their festival in the camp and God sent him down to deal with these people that He wanted to destroy.  Moses had interceded for the people and God did not destroy them.  But, Moses did enlist help to get the people under control.  "Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, 'Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me.' And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’' 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.29 And Moses said, 'Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.' (Exodus 32:26-29)

In Exodus 7:7, we are told that Aaron is Moses' older brother by three years.  For this reason, Aaron was not thrown into the Nile. He was apparently born before Pharaoh's deathly edict to throw Hebrew babies into the Nile (Exodus 1).  Numbers 3 begins by naming Aaron's 4 sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.  In Leviticus chapter 10, Aaron's two oldest sons disrespect God and they die.  This was right after they were ordained as priests.  Anytime God starts something new, He is strict to set His standards (see Acts 5, 2 Samuel 6).  As a teacher, I have learned that is the best way to start with a class; make sure they know you will not allow them to break your rules.  After that, you can enjoy each other and have few problems.

Ministry to God

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We never hear of any sons of Nadab and Abihu, so all of the priests descended from Eleazar and Ithamar. Although God said to give the Levites to Aaron in verse 9 of Numbers 3, He has said other times, as well as in verse 45, that they belong to the Lord.  God is giving them to Aaron for service in the tabernacle.  Just as Hannah devoted her son Samuel to the Lord and brought him to Eli at the temple. (1 Samuel 1:26-28) 

The priests and Levites had primary responsibility in the tabernacle and later the temple.  The priests were assisted by the Levites and also had to make sure that the Levites, or anybody else, did not overstep their bounds. This chapter also says that the Levites are guards.  They will guard the tabernacle of God from unauthorized access and theft.  

Today, our pastors do not really have to guard their churches, but they are set apart by the Lord and devoted to His work.  God calls every one of us to ministry of some sort.  We are given spiritual gifts by which God uses us to teach, encourage, preach, evangelize, care for the sick, etc. (See 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Ephesians 4 and Romans 12). Peter says that we are a royal priesthood called by God from darkness to light to declare the praises of the God who saved us.  We are set apart and here for the glory of God. 

Glorify God every opportunity that you have.  Live for His pleasure and He will bless the work of your hands.

Next week we will look at the sons of Levi and the encampment location of the Levites and its significance.