Numbers 15

Numbers_15
5/24/09

Numbers_15
I. In our last study:
A. In response to the unbelief and rebellion of Israel, God gave them what they wanted, they said it would be better to die in the wilderness than to trust Him to deliver the Promised Land to them; so God decreed that all those twenty years and older would die in the wilderness (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) and that He would give the land to their children.
1. But He had declared that He would spare them as a nation by giving the land to their children, those who were under twenty years old at the time of the failure and judgment there in Kadesh Barnea.
2. Also we were told that the ten spies who brought back the bad report and stumbled the nation died before the Lord by plague.
II. In chapter-15 we find various laws summarized for us which may seem odd to us stuck between two different cycles of rebellion. (that with the 10 spies and the rebellion of Korah and crew)
A. Laws of grain and drink offerings
Numbers 15:1-12 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you,
3 and you make an offering by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet aroma to the Lord, from the herd or the flock,
4 then he who presents his offering to the Lord shall bring a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil;
5 and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.
6 Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil;
7 and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a sweet aroma to the Lord.
8 And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering, or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering to the Lord,
9 then shall be offered with the young bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil;
10 and you shall bring as the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.
11 ‘Thus it shall be done for each young bull, for each ram, or for each lamb or young goat.
12 According to the number that you prepare, so you shall do with everyone according to their number.
1. Israel had failed miserably at Kadesh Barnea rebelliously rejecting God's offer to bring them into the land and as a result the door to the Promised Land had closed for one generation and they would spend the next thirty-eight years wandering somewhat aimlessly in the wilderness.
a. But God speaks these wonderful words of encouragement and comfort through Moses to the nation, particularly to those who were under the age of twenty ‘When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you,
(1) The reassurance that He will bring them into the land and give it to them, He has not changed and His promises to them have not failed.
b. And the offerings spoken here are free will offerings not compulsory offerings, and the focus is on the supplementary grain and drink offerings that were to accompany these free will offering all of which speak of joy and thanksgiving.
(1) Is this not a statement that He will bless them with blessings which will evoke their worship and thanksgiving?
(a) I thank so much of the time we don't recognize the abundance of God's blessings to us because we have become spoiled and somehow think of these blessings as what we deserve, our just rights, and we pout and complain when something is taken away with the misconception that God is depriving us.
i) We have become a people that is more focused on not having what we want than on what we have been undeservedly blessed with.
(2) What a wondrous thing to know that God delights to bless His people even in the midst of their failure.
2. Note that the grain and drink offerings that accompanied blood sacrifices increased progressively with the size and value of the sacrifice.
a. The greater our sacrifice to God the greater should be our joy and thanksgiving if the sacrifice is rightly motivated.
B. The universal or community nature of these laws.
Numbers 15:13-16 (NKJV)
13 All who are native-born shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.
14 And if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord, just as you do, so shall he do.
15 One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
16 One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.’ ”
1. God had told Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his offspring (particularly looking forward to the Messiah), and we see here that under certain conditions the gentile could enter into community with the Jew and worship the God of the Jew.

2. Secondly we should note that sacrifice is to be made with gladness and joy; not begrudgingly and with complaint.
3. Consider the words of Psalm-100
Psalm 100 (NKJV)

1 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
4. I am the spiritual seed of Abraham, and a disciple of the Jesus the Messiah, I wonder do I bless others in such a way that they are drawn to a place of worship and thanksgiving?
a. Worship of the living God is the community we should desire to draw others into.
C. First fruit offerings.
Numbers 15:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
18 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land to which I bring you,
19 then it will be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord.
20 You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up.
21 Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the Lord a heave offering throughout your generations.
1. When they entered the land and began to enjoy the produce of that land they were to show their devotion to the Lord and their thanksgiving by presenting a cake baked from the first cutting of the grain each harvest.
a. They were to be mindful of God and that o was the one that supplied their daily sustenance.
2. Note we read the words again "When you come into the land to which I bring you" for the second time in this chapter
a. They were a long way out from entering the Promised Land, thirty-eight years to go, but God is setting their minds on the land and on His promises, so it we read in Colossians.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.


(1) A key part of our victory here in this land and in our pilgrimage is where we fix our thoughts, we see that unbelief and rebellion usually are born out of complaint, and so our meditations and attitudes affect our ability to walk in faith and be thankful.
(a) We want to learn to be mindful of God, mindful of His promises, and looking forward to the land He has promised us.
D. Now the third category of offerings found here concern sin offerings.
Numbers 15:22-29 (NKJV)
22 ‘If you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses—
23 all that the Lord has commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day the Lord gave commandment and onward throughout your generations—
24 then it will be, if it is unintentionally committed, without the knowledge of the congregation, that the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.
25 So the priest shall make atonement for the whole congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them, for it was unintentional; they shall bring their offering, an offering made by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their unintended sin.
26 It shall be forgiven the whole congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger who dwells among them, because all the people did it unintentionally.
27 ‘And if a person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.
28 So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the Lord, to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29 You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them.
1. They were provided as a remedy for unintentional sin.
a. God provided a sin solution (atonement) for both the people collectively as well as for the individual.
b. And they were also universal (those that desired to be in relationship to Jehovah...) and not for Israel only.
c. We are here reminded that blood is required for atonement.
Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV)
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(1) It is the blood of Jesus and His substitutionary death for us that provides the remedy (permanent remedy) for our sins.
2. By contrast we have in verses-30-31 law concerning intentional sin.
Numbers 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 ‘But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’ ”
a. The word presumtpiously is the Hebrw word ruwm (room)
7311 [ruwm /room/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 2133; GK 3727 and 3753 and 8123 and 8225 and 8249; 194 occurrences; AV translates as ?(lift?, ?hold?, ?etc ? ) up? 63 times, ?exalt? 47 times, ?high? 25 times, ?offer? 13 times, ?give? five times, ?heave? three times, ?extol? three times, ?lofty? three times, ?take? three times, ?tall? three times, ?higher? twice, and translated miscellaneously 24 times.
1 to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to be high, be set on high. 1a2 to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted. 1a3 to be lifted, rise. 1b (Polel). 1b1 to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up. 1b2 to lift up, raise, exalt. 1b3 to exalt, extol. 1c (Polal) to be lifted up. 1d (Hiphil). 1d1 to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high. 1d2 to lift up (and take away), remove. 1d3 to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute. 1e (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished. 1f (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself. 2 (Qal) to be rotten, be wormy.
Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. H7311
(1) I believe the sin here goes beyond the intentional commission of a sin that is being struggled against, what we see here is blasphemous sin, defiant rebellious God rejecting sin which will not be forgiven.
Mark 3:28-30 (NKJV)
28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—
30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
(2) To reject the witness of the Holy Spirit concerning Christ by rejecting Christ and the rest provided in Him.
3. Look at the example we are given in verses 32-36
Numbers 15:32-36 (NKJV)
32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation.
34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.
35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”
36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
a. Here is the violation of the law, undoubtedly it was the violation of a law known to all the camp, but they were not sure what to do with this violation so they put him under guard while they sought God to indicate the appropriate judgment.

(1) God returned the verdict and it was death, this man's heart and motive were examined and found to be deserving of death!
(2) Mercy was withheld; he was taken out of the camp and stoned to death.
b. All who lift themselves up against God refusing to submit themselves to His Lordship are self declared enemies against God and will one day be put to death for their rebellion.
Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
c. The Sabbath rest points to Jesus and the rest that we have in Him, since no amount of good works that we can do could ever satisfy the perfection demanded by a perfect and Holy God, the only solution is for us to enter into the perfect work of Christ on the cross.
(1) And to reject His provision leaves us in a condition of death and enmity against God.
(2) But note as we read in Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(a) There is no gift like the gift of life in Christ, and God's desire is for us to obtain life in Him!
E. Now the chapter closes with this wonderful instruction.
Numbers 15:37-41 (NKJV)
37 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
38 “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.
39 And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined,
40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God.
41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”
1. Tassels made with or attached with blue thread to the corners of the hems of their garments.
a. That as they looked at them they would be reminded that they were a holy people whose God was a holy God and that they were to keep His commandments.
(1) Also they would be reminded that the natural bent of their hearts would be to do that which was contrary to the commands of God and that they constantly needed to be reminded to make holy choices.
b. One of the ways in which God was reminding them to keep their minds set on Him so that they could walk in holiness and victory.
2. Just one more example of God's goodness and love for His people.
F. You know what strikes me powerfully as I stop and consider this portion of scripture is that love involves sacrifice, and lots of it, but if it is not willing sacrifice it is not love.
1. It cost God to love me, if I am going to love God and love you it will cost me something!
2. If you are going to love me it will cost uou something.
3. And the major cost for us is that we will have to lay aside our own self with all its selfish desire.
4. 1 Corintians-13
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NKJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
III. Appendix for future reference:
Num 15:1?16 Ezek 46:4?15
Animal Grain + Oil Wine Grain + Oil (only)
Lamb 1/10 ephah + 1/4 hin 1/4 hin 1/6 ephah + 1/3 hin
Ram 2/10 ephah + 1/3 hin 1/3 hin 1 ephah + 1 hin
Young Bull 3/10 ephah + 1/2 hin 1/2 hin 1 ephah + 1 hin
Comparative weights and measures (approx.)
Ephah (~ 1 bushel) 1/10 eph = 2 qts 2/10 eph = 4 qts liters
3/10 eph = 6 qts

Numbers 10

Number_10
3/22/09

Number_10 Final preparation and the journey begins.
I. Trumpets for communication
Numbers 10:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.
A. Make two trumpets:
1. These were not like the shofar or sliver trumpets that are similar to a coronet, but long silver tubes flared at the end, much like the horns used to herald a king.
a. They were made out of silver, which speaks of redemption and blood, we learned this in our study of Exodus.
2. Use them for:
a. Calling the congregation/assembly together
b. Directing the movement of the camps.
B. When the trumpets are blown as a call to the people we read
Numbers 10:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
4 But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you.
1. When both trumpets are blown the whole congregation was to gather together at the door of the Tabernacle of meeting.
a. They were to assemble themselves together in the place where God's presence dwelt among them.
(1) It was the place where God meets with men.
2. It was both an invitation and a command.
a. There were two trumpets made and to gather the whole congregation both trumpets were sounded at one time.
(1) Two is the number of witness and by application on the one hand we can think of the trumpets as the gospel.
(a) There are two aspects to the gospel.
i) First the gospel is the message that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day in order to redeem men who would by faith trust Him for redemption and eternal life.

ii) Secondly it is a message to be communicated, and invitation to be sounded.
(1) And they made two trumpets and both trumpets were blown to call the people together, we might say the message was sounded with everything they had and so should we sound the message of the gospel with all we have.
(2) And so we see that to be called to the place where God meets with men is an invitation, it represents a wonderful opportunity and a special privilege.
b. But for those people who were identified with God it was more than an invitation it was a command.
(1) As we consider ourselves part of the church NT believers who are a part of the New Covenant we need to come together, and there is a sense of command to it, not a sense of legalism but of practical need and desire.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
(a) Regular attendance at church should be a priority with us, missing service ought to be an exception not the rule, because we love each other and want to stir each other up in the things of God.
c. Jesus Christ is the meeting place between men and God, and when we are in Christ we are a part of His body, thus we are a people motivated and directed by the Gospel.
3. Note that when only one trumpet was sounded then only the leaders were gathered together and it would seem they were gathered to Moses not necessarily the tent of meeting.
a. There are things that are to be discussed only amongst the leaders (church business involves things we don't consider often)...
(1) Investigation into problems...
(a) Reports of sin
(b) Reports of problems
(c) Reputations discussed
(d) Just because you hear them doesn't mean you believe them
(e) We should however not repeat a matter...
b. Peoples time is valuable and we ought not waste it...
C. Also the trumpets were to be sounded in order to direct the movement of the camps, that is sounding the advance, which was different than the blast which called them together.
Numbers 10:5-8 (NKJV)
5 When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey.
6 When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys.
7 And when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but not sound the advance.
8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.
1. When you sound the advance:
a. The tribes on the east were to set out and start the journey.
b. When the advance was sounded the second time then the tribes camped to the south were to set out.
2. As the signals to advance were sounded each tribe set out in the predetermined order as we have already studied.
a. The command was initiated by God, as we have been told and as we shall see when the cloud representing the presence and glory of God moved from over the tabernacle they knew it was time to move.
b. It was the responsibility of the priests to sound the trumpets, and so we see the directions given to them though initiated by God involved human agency.
(1) God uses men in ministry as a part of His communication and direction...
(2) Required listening and paying attention.
(3) There was a distinct sound that could be differentiated from other signals.
(4) Today I watch people leave the church and they say that God is leading them.
(a) We will see in the “order of march” that God is typically very definite and organized in how or when we are to set out.
i) What I have observed is that most people leave because they are redirected by there own discontent and complaining, as we will see this becomes a main issue in the coming chapters
(b) So when leaving involves someone’s own idea w/o confirmation among human agency particularly within the leaders God has raised up, things are suspicious.
(c) When leaving causes confusion or leaves uncovered gaps, it is suspect.
(d) When it is unannounced or done with malice, deceit, or what we might say is the absence of light, it is the flesh and not God.
(e) When people leave there ought to be a sense of sending and excitement at what God is doing.
3. This phrase "these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations" suggests to me that there are eternal or kingdom of God principals involved here.
D. Other reasons for sounding the trumpets
Numbers 10:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
10 Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
1. When you go to war sound an alarm with these trumpets.
a. And as a result God promises to act on their behalf and save them for their enemies.
(1) What a wonderful promise to be reminded of,
(a) We need to learn to sound the trumpet in time of battle, not always an easy thing to do.
(b) Sometimes we lose battles so that God can give us victory in the greater war (the eternal battle)
i) In the book of Joshua the battle of Ai might be an example of this.
2. Also these trumpets were to be sounded to announce their gladness, sounded in their celebrations, and in proclamation of their worship of God.
a. Contained in this is the idea of Joy, Exuberance, and Celebration.
b. But also there is a sense of solemnity that sometimes needs to be associated in these things.
c. Always there should be a sense of reverence, the idea of special should come through the proclamations and celebrations.
d. When temple worship was restored under Hezekiah, we read of the trumpets being used.
2 Chronicles 29:25-30 (NKJV)
25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.
26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.
28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29 And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.
30 Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.
E. In these ten verses a key lesson for us is the need to communicate;
a. In a sense not only can we see the need to communicate the Gospel, and the trumpets not only represent the Gospel of Christ to us,
b. But they represent prayer, communication between men and God, we sound the alarm, we express thanksgiving and worship, we make petition for others.
II. So with this final preparation, the time of preparation come to an end and the time to journey begins.
A. Some of the preparation we have seen:
1. They were cleansed and purified, set apart from sin, and set apart to God.
2. With that came acceptance and blessing.
3. They were taught to give and assigned responsibilities
4. They were given a powerful reminder of that they were a redeemed people
5. And most importantly they were given God's presence of God to go with them, to guide them, to provide for them, and to protect them.
B. So the journey begins.
Numbers 10:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony.
12 And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran.
13 So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

1. So on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year after they came out of Egypt the cloud is lifted and they set out on the first leg of their journey toward the Promised Land.
a. Remember the time to depart was initiated by God, but then the leaders were to recognize it and signal it.
c. Verse-12 is a summary statement the first destination was the Wilderness of Paran, but that was not the first stop, it was probably a three-day journey with several stops in between.

Numbers 11:35 (NKJV)
35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people moved to Hazeroth, and camped at Hazeroth.

Numbers 12:16 (NKJV)
16 And afterward the people moved from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

(1) So they were departing on the first leg of their journey.
2. The order of their march
Numbers 10:14-28 (NKJV)
14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
15 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar.
16 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
20 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)
22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
23 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
24 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
25 Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
27 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.
a. We see that the order of their march was just as we were previously instructed, with the exception that the families of Gershon and Merari who carried the curtains, and the frames and boards for the tabernacle departed between the tribes camped on the east and the tribes camped on the south.
(1) This was so the tent could be set up when the holy furniture arrived, which followed the tribes of the south which departed second in the general order,
(2) In this we see the orderly fashion and detail exercised by God in the sending and moving of His people.
b. After the family of Kohath carrying the furniture of the Tabernacle came the tribes camped to the west and finally the tribes camped to the north came last as the rear gaurd.
c. 28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.
(1) He is a God of order and not confusion.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

James 3:17 (NKJV)
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
C. Moses invites his brother-in-law Hobab along.
Numbers 10:29-32 (NKJV)
29 Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
30 And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”
31 So Moses said, “Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
32 And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same we will do to you.”
1. Sometimes Hobab is confused with Reul Moses' father-in-law who is also known as Jethro, but it is pretty clear that this is his son.
a. Moses is no doubt desiring to take advantage of his knowledge of the desert routes along the way.
(1) Much speculation about the wisdom or godliness or lack of it is made over this...
(a) I could make arguments either way and I am sure you could also, but we simply don't know whether it was a problem or not.
i) Maybe Moses is being evangelistic???
b. The last thing we are told here is that he said no he wouldn't go with them, but there are indications that Moses was able to convince him.
Judges 1:16 (NKJV)
16 Now the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

Judges 4:11 (NKJV)
11 Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh.
(the root used to denote father-in-law is not always used expressly for father-in-law and can refer to any in-law relation)

D. So we have the first leg of the journey
Numbers 10:33-36 (NKJV)
33 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.
34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.
35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: “Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”
36 And when it rested, he said: “Return, O Lord, To the many thousands of Israel.”
1. We see in the warlike nature of the journey in the battle cry of Moses each time they set out.
a. The way to the Promised Land involves warfare, and conquest, so be prepared.

Numbers 9

Do to computer issues we will not be posting this weeks notes.
God Bless You!

Numbers 7-8

Chapters_7-8 Consecration of the Tabernacle and Levites
3/8/09

I. In chapters 5-6 the purging of the whole camp of Israel, the next thing set before us is the consecration tabernacle and the Levites.
Numbers 7:1
1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.
A. The events of this chapter are looking back retrospectively to the day the Tabernacle was erected.
B. God has blessed His people in giving them the means for His presence to dwell among them, a meeting place, the "Tabernacle of Meeting" where no matter where they went He would be in their midst to guide and help them.
II. At the dedication of the tabernacle and the altar the leader of each tribe brought gifts an offering to the Lord.
A. The word for offering used here as gifts for the dedication is "qurban - corban" and it describes gifts to God that are of a general nature, it is a different word from that which is used to describe the offering such as the burnt offering or the grain offering.
1. And there were two separate sets of offerings brought.
B. The first gifts that were brought:
Numbers 7:2-3 (NKJV)
2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering.
3 And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle.
1. The gift they brought was six covered carts one for each two tribes, and one ox for each tribe or twelve oxen total.
2. The gifts were accepted and distributed.
Numbers 7:4-9 (NKJV)
4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.”
6 So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service;
8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders.
a. The tribe of Kohath did not receive any carts or oxen because their responsibility was for the holy furniture of the tabernacle and God had prescribed that these were to be carries on their shoulders.
3. The work of the Lord is varied, some requires practical labor, some requires a more personal touch, but God provides what is necessary for the work.
C. The second set of gifts:
Numbers 7:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar.
11 For the Lord said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.”
1. Each day for twelve days the leaders of one of the tribes brought a gift for the dedication of the altar.
2. The gift and the manner in which they were brought.
Numbers 7:12-17 (NKJV)
12 And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah.
13 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering;
14 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense;
15 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering;
16 one kid of the goats as a sin offering;
17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
a. The gifts were acceptable to the Lord and were to be used for "doing the work of the tabernacle" and were to be given to the Levites according to the service they performed.
(1) Two carts and four oxen to the family of Gershon who had responsibility for transporting the fabrics of the tabernacle
(2) Four carts and eight oxen to the family of Merari because they had the heavier task of transporting the framework of the tabernacle.
b. The gift consisted of:
(1) One silver platter weighing 130 shekels (about 3 pounds)
(2) One silver bowl weighing 70 shekels (about 2 pounds)
(a) Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering.
(3) One gold ladle weighing ten shekels (about 4 ounces)
(a) Filled with incense.
(4) For a burnt offering a young, bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb.
(5) One male goat for a sin offering
(6) And for a peace or fellowship offering, 2 oxen, 5 rams, 5 male goats, and 5 yearling male lambs.
c. The first to bring his gift was Nashon the leader of the tribe of Judah.
d. And in the following order each subsequent day the leader of another tribe brought exactly the same gift (verses 18-83).
(1) Nashon - Judah
(2) Nethanel - Issachar
(3) Eliab - Zebulon
(4) Elizur - Reuben
(5) Shelumiel - Simeon
(6) Eliasaph - Gad
(7) Elishama - Ephraim
(8) Gamaliel - Manasseh
(9) Abidan - Benjamin
(10) Ahiezer - Dan
(11) Pagiel - Asher
(12) Ahira - Naphtali
e. Some observations of the gifts and the giving.
(1) First they were generous (God loves a hilarious giver)
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
(a) As Guzik points out
Clearly, this was generous giving. God must show Promised Land people how to be givers - one of the best measures of one who has moved from a slave mind-set to a Promised Land mind-set. The slave by nature is a taker, because he is often unsure of provision. Promised land people are generous, because they trust in a God who promised to meet all their needs.
(2) By offering the same gifts there was no attempt for one tribe over the other to draw attention to themselves through their giving.
(3) And we might ask why the same detail is given tribe by tribe, and it would seem to be to highlight the fact that God noted what was given.
Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV)
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”


(4) Our giving supports the work of advancing the kingdom and the work that centers on fellowship.
(a) Both time and finances are involved.
(b) When we don't give or support it makes the work a lot harder than necessary, and we miss out on the blessing associated with giving.
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

verse-8 says when we don't support we are robbing God!

Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

i) But again it needs to come from a right heart, and when we grasp the wonder of God working through ministry it becomes a joy to participate by giving.
D. Then in verses 84-89 the gifts are summarized and totaled.
Numbers 7:84-89 (NKJV)
84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel, when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold pans.
85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy shekels. All the silver of the vessels weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one hundred and twenty shekels.
87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve young bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs in their first year twelve, with their grain offering, and the kids of the goats as a sin offering twelve.
88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings were twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, and the lambs in their first year sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.
89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

1. We see God speaking to Moses in the tabernacle from above the mercy seat, an indicator that God was pleased with the heart of the leaders (who are the representative heads of the people) and the generosity of their gifts.
a. It was a “get to” mentality not a “have to” mentality that motivated them at this time.
III. Now the arranging of the Lamps and the consecration of the Levites
A. Arrangement of the Lamps
Numbers 8:1-4 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ ”
3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.
4 Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

1. Chapter-8 opens with the instruction that the lampstand in the holy place was to be situated (by Aaron) in such a way that the light from the seven lamps on the lampstand were to provide light in front of the lampstand.
a. This was the only light in the tabernacle and so the work that was to be done in the tabernacle was to be done by the light displayed on the lampstand.
(1) The lampstand could not give the light, lamps had to be placed upon it, the lampstand could only make the light more visible.
(2) Revelation 1:20 draws a picture of the church as a lampstand, we the church are to make Jesus who is the light of the world more visible.
2. Verse-4 describes the lampstand, and that it was made according to the pattern of God's design. (The church should be the design of God not man)
3. I find the placement of this instruction interesting, here sandwiched between the generous giving of the leaders of each tribe, and the consecration the Levites.
a. The leaders were the representative heads of each tribe, so it can be said that all gave - and I believe we are all to give and support the work of the ministry.
b. Only Aaron and his son's the priests could minister inside the tabernacle, and so it is that God calls some to work that could be said to be internal or dealing expressly with the spiritual.
c. And the Levites were given to Aaron to support him in his ministry, so God raises up other to help in a more external way.
B. Cleansing and consecration of the Levites.
1. They were set apart by a special ceremony of cleansing
Numbers 8:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
a. They were to be sprinkled with water of purification which was water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer
Numbers 19:9 (NKJV)
9 Then a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and store them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for the water of purification; it is for purifying from sin.

b. Also they were to be shaved all over and their clothes washed.
(1) Acts associated with the cleansing from sin.
2. And then the Levites were dedicated by sacrifice.
Numbers 8:8-15 (NKJV)
8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites;
11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the Lord.
12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the Lord, to make atonement for the Levites.
13 “And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the Lord.
14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.
15 After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering.
a. Two young bulls, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering along with the Levites were brought before the Lord together with the whole congregation.
(1) The congregation laid there hands on the Levites as a sign of releasing them from the possession of the nation and assigning them to the Lord, and also as a sign of transferring the obligation of the first-born sons of the nation to serve the Lord to the Levites in their stead.
(2) Then Aaron presented the Levites to the Lord as a wave offering, they sealed the transfer by offering the bulls for the burnt and sin offerings.
b. And they were then to begin there service for the tabernacle.
3. More detail is given confirming the fact that the Levites were regarded as Israel's firstborn, given to the Lord.
Numbers 8:16-19 (NKJV)
16 For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel.
17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself.
18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

a. God had taken the Levites for Himself.
C. Verses 20-22 affirm that they did as the Lord had commanded them to do.
Numbers 8:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
21 And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 After that the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

1. Learning to do what God says is an important part of preparation for living in the Promised Land.
D. And the chapter closes with God setting a time limit for service of the Levites.
Numbers 8:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
24 “This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting;
25 and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more.
26 They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.”
1. According to Numbers chapter-4 the Levites began their service at age 30 and served until they were 50.
Numbers 4:3 (NKJV)
3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.
a. So from the age of 25 there were types of work they could participate in until they were 30, probably it was a time of training and apprenticeship, but they could not actually have responsibility for transporting the tabernacle and that which pertained to it until the age of 30.
(1) After the age of 50 they had to retire, they could however assiste the younger men in some aspects of tabernacle service.
b. These limitations insured that the Levites served the Lord during their prime years.
(1) God always deserves our best.
Also a reminder for us that we get to serve at the pleasure of God…
E. Wrap up:
1. People who are prepared for living in the Promised Land are not enslaved by their stuff, but generously give to support the work of God both of their time and resources, freely and willingly.
2. They are to be a cleansed people (putting off the old man).
3. They are to be a dedicated people, that is a people set apart for God (putting on the new man) living differently, in ways that please the Lord.
4. And they are to be a serving people actively involved in what God is calling them to .
5. Please Pleas understand what I am saying here, we do no, can not work to earn God's favor, but as we walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, these will be byproducts of such living.
a. And as God is preparing us for such a way of life the desires of our heart begin to change.

Numbers 6

Numbers_6
3/1/09

I. In Numbers chapters 5, 6 we encounter the first group of laws contained in this book.
A. They relate to the theme of separation from impurity and dedication to the Lord.
B. Chapter-5 dealt with Separation from sin; we want to be separated FROM our sin, and separated TO God.
1. So as we move into chapter-6 we have some laws that pertain to dedication and separation of our selves TO or toward God.
II. The Law of the Nazarite
A. Purpose of the vow
Numbers 6:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,
1. The key phrase for us is "to separate himself to the Lord"
a. Nazarite is the transliteration of the Hebrew word nazir and it means consecrated or devoted one.
(1) And it comes from the nazar which means to dedicate.
2. So the vow of a nazarite was an expression of special desire to draw near to God.
3. It was a voluntary vow, something desired in the heart of the one making the vow.
B. What a wonderful principal is contained in this, the priests and Levites were called by God and specially separated to Him obviously a very great honor and privilege.
1. But here is a way that any Jew could set himself apart from the norms of life and dedicate himself to God for some special service or communion.
a. Both men and women could devote themselves for a special time of separation as a nazarite.
2. What a wonderful truth it is to know that God wants us to draw near to Him, to dedicate ourselves to Him, that it is something that pleases His heart, but that it is something that needs to be taken seriously as we will see in the upcoming verses.
a. Consider the NT instruction of James 4:8
James 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(1) As we desire to draw near to God, He meets us, He draws near to us, but it begins with separating ourselves (with His help) from impurities of our sinful natures.
3. It is good to draw near God
Psalm 73:28 (NKJV)
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.
a. May each of us have such a desire: voluntary actions motivated by love…
(1) Also we want to keep in mind that here in this section of numbers we are looking at preparation for the Promised Land, and so as the Promised Land is analogous to the Spirit filled life, special dedication to God is an ingredient that prepares us or helps us in the journey.
(a) Fasting from time to time may be a kind of special dedication to draw near to the Lord (week of prayer and fasting coming up in May I believe...)
C. Dedication to any cause or purpose or person involves sacrifice and discipline...
1. Before we move on to look at the requirements of a nazarite vow let me just say don't confuse nazarite with Nazarene or Nazareth, there isn't really a connection
D. Requirements of the vow
Numbers 6:3-8 (NKJV)
3 he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.
4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin.
5 ‘All the days of the vow of his separation no razor shall come upon his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
6 All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body.
7 He shall not make himself unclean even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head.
8 All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the Lord.
1. There were three things that marked nazarite separation.
a. Abstinence from wine or any product of grapes.
(1) Symbols of blessing and joy so this was a form of self-denial
b. No razor was to come upon his head.
(1) So his hair was to grow and not be cut during the period of the vow, and then shaved off at the conclusion of the vow.
(2) It was an outward demonstration that the person was under a special vow.
(a) In churches such as the Russian Orthodox Church, long hair is considered a sign of piety.
i) Many people misunderstand 1 Corinthians 11 and the statement Paul makes about it being a shame for a man to have long hair, in its context there Paul is referring to authority and the place of men and women concerning God given authority and responsibility.
(c) And they were not to go near a dead body even that of a close relative (death remember is the effect of sin).
2. They were obligatory to the vow, they were not optional, so the vow involved counting the cost and was only to be entered into in a serious manner not haphazardly or rashly.
E. Penalty of breaking the vow.
Numbers 6:9-12 (NKJV)
9 ‘And if anyone dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
10 Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting;
11 and the priest shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned in regard to the corpse; and he shall sanctify his head that same day.
12 He shall consecrate to the Lord the days of his separation, and bring a male lamb in its first year as a trespass offering; but the former days shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
1. If someone dies very suddenly beside the nazarite his hair was to be shaved off, a sacrifice made and he started back at the beginning of the vow the days already completed were lost.
2. You were not free to say I don't want to do this anymore.
F. Concluding the nazarite vow.
Numbers 6:13-15 (NKJV)
13 ‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite: When the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
14 And he shall present his offering to the Lord: one male lamb in its first year without blemish as a burnt offering, one ewe lamb in its first year without blemish as a sin offering, one ram without blemish as a peace offering,
15 a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering with their drink offerings.
1. He was brought to the door of the tabernacle so it was a public ceremony, and the items needed were –
a male lamb for a burnt offering,
a ewe lamb for a sin offering,
a ram for peace offering,
and a basket of unleavened bread as a grain offering along with the drink offering associated with it.
a. This obviously was a costly endeavor, but let me tell you that there is a cost to worship.
2 Samuel 24:24 (NKJV)
24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
(1) Worship involves the best we have to offer, not our leftovers.
b. This was an offering that was presented to the Lord; I wonder how mindful we are in our service to God that it is to be done as an offering presented to Him?
2. Verses 16-21
Numbers 6:16-21 (NKJV)
16 ‘Then the priest shall bring them before the Lord and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering;
17 and he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, with the basket of unleavened bread; the priest shall also offer its grain offering and its drink offering.
18 Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.
19 ‘And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them upon the hands of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecrated hair,
20 and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord; they are holy for the priest, together with the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.’
21 “This is the law of the Nazirite who vows to the Lord the offering for his separation, and besides that, whatever else his hand is able to provide; according to the vow which he takes, so he must do according to the law of his separation.”
a. The priest and the Nazarite would make the offering and the vow would be completed.
III. The Priestly Blessing.
A. God gave a command and instruction for Aaron and his sons to bless the people
Numbers 6:22-23 (NKJV)
22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
1. "This is the way you shall bless them", so the priests were not only commanded to bless the people but God gave them a formula to follow for blessing the people.
a. Spurgeon wrote concerning this:
"Free prayer is most useful, and it will ordinarily consort best with the movements of the free Spirit; but in the case of a benediction, it is well that it was dictated to the man of God. The children of Israel might miss blessing through the ignorance, or forgetfulness, or unbelief of Aaron; and therefore it was not left to him; but he had to learn by heart each word and sentence. In this wise, and in no other, was he to bless the people. I like this; for if God himself puts the very words into the mouth of his priest, then they are God’s words." (Spurgeon)
2. And here is the blessing, it is known as the "Aaronic Blessing"
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’
a. The Lord Bless You
(1) God delights in blessing His people, and reminds us that all blessing come from the Lord.
(a) We need to understand that God's blessing has our higher good in mind, not simply our temporal comfort.
i) We often desire or settle for things such as comfort and happiness, which may have nothing to do with God's true blessing.
b. And Keep You
(1) As a shepherd keeps his sheep, so the Lord desires to keep His people, protecting them, guarding them, setting boundaries and limits for them, sustaining them.
c. The Lord Make His Face to Shine Upon You
(1) To have God look upon us and be pleased with us is one of the greatest blessing we can have.
(a) And He is pleased with us not for what we have done, but because we are in Christ.
d. And be Gracious to You
(1) The expression that God would show care and tender mercy for us His people.
(a) Boy how I need this blessing daily!
e. The Lord lift Up His Countenance Upon You
(1) That God would look upon His people and pay attention to them
(a) And so He does.
f. And Give You Peace.
(1) Not simply the cessation of hostility, but wholeness, goodness, the abundant life that Jesus spoke of
John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
g. Note the Phrase "The Lord" is repeated three times, a hint at the Trinity
As Guzik points out:
(1) God the Father blesses and keeps us
(2) God the Son makes God's face to shine upon us and brings us grace.
(3) God the Holy Spirit communicates God's attention to us, and gives us peace
(4) And six times we read you (God wants to bless you)
B. The Fruit of the Blessing
Numbers 6:27 (NKJV)
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
1. To be blessed by God means to have His name put on us and thus be identified with who He is and all that pertains to His nature.
a. The blessing was commanded for the people of God not the surrounding nations, so we have to be joined to Him to gain this blessing.
(1) Like in marriage.
2. And God says "I will bless them" so in response to this blessing God promises to bless what a wonderful truth for us to take to heart and walk in by faith.
C. May we desire to set ourselves apart in special ways in order to experience more intimacy in our fellowship with God.
1. Not working for reward, but taking time to draw near to Him, allowing Him to draw near to us.
a. Quiet times, retreats, special study, fasts, special service...
D. And may we seek and walk in His blessings by faith
IV. Communion

Numbers 5

Numbers_5
2/22/09

Numbers_5
I. Opening Statements.
A. In Numbers we see the walk and warfare of the wilderness, which is typical of our pilgrimage here in a sinful world.
1. And we are looking for lessons that will help us with our journey of faith.
2. And as we noted this first main division of the book of Numbers chapters 1-10 relates to preparation to go to the Promised Land.
a. As we think about the Promised Land and the people who are to inhabit the Promised Land we need to ask ourselves what they represent to us.
(1) In the literal historical sense the people are Israel, descendants of Abraham and the land has a specific geography in the Middle East God promised to give them.
(2) But spiritually speaking the people represent the spiritual offspring of Abraham (children of faith...) and the land; while on one hand we think of heaven, it is generally agreed that the promised land is symbolic of living a spirit filled life.
(a) So some of the lessons we learn will teach us of how walk in the Spirit and how not to walk in the flesh.
B. Now as we move into chapters 5 and 6 we encounter the first group of laws found in this book, and at first they appear to be somewhat random or unrelated: skin disease, fraud, adultery, Nazarite vows, and priestly blessing.
1. But they relate to the theme of separation from impurity and dedication to the Lord.
2. The consecration of Israel is set before us in two stages here, chapters 5-6 relate to the purging of the whole camp, and chapters 7-8 relate to the consecration of the tabernacle and the priesthood.
3. The goal is God's presence in their midst and blessings as they go.
II. Separating from Sin.
A. Separting from the effects of sin.
Numbers 5:1-4 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse.
3 You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.”
4 And the children of Israel did so, and put them outside the camp; as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did.
1. The Lord speaks to Moses “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every..."
a. Leper
b. Everyone who has a discharge
c. Whoever becomes defiled by a dead body.
2. God had commanded these laws as stated in the book of Leviticus but now the time has come to execute them as they prepare for the journey.
a. As we look at this list observe that none of these things prove a person to be terrible sinners, they refer to those who are ceremonially unclean.
(1) And they were to be put out or separated from the rest of the camp until they could be made ceremonially clean.
b. While these are not terrible sins in fact we would struggle to see them as sin at all, rather what we see is that they are a reminder of the effects of sin
Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
(1) It is sin that has separated us from God.
Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV)
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
c. So they are being challenged to purity, by putting out from among them impurity.
(1) People that inhabit the Promised land are to be a purified people.
(a) To walk in the Spirit as opposed to the flesh means we need to look to God to help put-off that which impure the things which defile or contaminate.
i) In thinking what this might look like for us we could look down a laundry list of sins such as sexual immorality, drunkenness, drug addiction etc. the worst being unbelief.
ii) But don't overlook things like anger, malice, gossip, backbiting, causing division (sins of the heart and sins of the tongue).
3. Verse-3 says "You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.”
a. Male and female, perceptions of sympathy or superiority for one over another were not to spare someone from the consequences of sin there were no exceptions.
b. Separation from these things were because God lived in the camp,
(1) We are to walk in the newness of the life we have in Christ, while we as people who are to inhabit the promised land fall short in many ways, we don't live in sinless perfection, we are not to be openly and obviously walking in the sin nature.
4. "as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did." remember that we are to do the things God says not merely hear them or know them.
B. The Damage of sin.
Numbers 5:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
6 “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty,
7 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.
1. Sin hurts or damages others and we see that when the effects of our sin are realized then confession and restitution are required.
a. The sin before us here are sins against others and withholding from God what belongs to Him.
(1) First the sin is to be owned, demonstrated by confession "I did it, I'm guilty"
(2) Secondly repaying was taken or withheld plus 20%.
b. The concept of our sins hurting others and of making restitution is so foreign in the church today...
(1) Restitution is as important for the guilty party as it is for the victim, look at verse-8.
Numbers 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him.
(2) When we don't make things right with others we have wronged it impacts our walk, and puts a hold on real fellowship with God..
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

2. Fellowship with God is what we are aiming for.
Numbers 5:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his.
10 And every man’s holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest shall be his.’ ”

a. Some of the offerings such as the peace offering were intended to have a portion of them returned to the one who brought the offering so they and their family could have a fellowship meal with God.
(1) This opportunity was the right of every Israelite, a right that was not to be denied them by others.
(a) However if they were unclean and cast out of the camp they could not enjoy this benefit.
(b) So here in the midst of this chapter which deals with separation from sin is the reminder that God's people are to be separated (from) sin in order to be separated (TO) God for fellowship with Him.
3. When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus replied
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
a. Love for God and love for others should dominate our attitudes and behaviors.
b. When we separate ourselves from the effects and damage of sin then the door of fellowship with God is opened up.
Jesus taught
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
C. Separation from the suspicion of sin.
Numbers 5:11-14 (NKJV)
11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
12 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him,
13 and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught—
14 if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself—
1. Set before us are an adulteress wife and a jealous husband; and the adultery may or may not be true.
a. The two extremes of the spectrum are hidden unfaithfulness on the part of a wife, and unwarranted jealousy on the part of a husband.
(1) Both can destroy a marriage relationship, and both undermine the very fabric of godly living so God gave Israel a means for dealing with it.

(2) Whether there is unfaithfulness in marriage or unwarranted jealousy it must be resolved for there purity and fellowship in the relationship.
b. The problem is symptomatic of unfaithfulness to God and so a breach of the relationship between husband and wife could not be tolerated.
2. An offering to resolve a spirit of jealousy
Numbers 5:15 (NKJV)
15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering of jealousy, an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance.

a. The jealous husband was to being his wife and an ephah of barley to the priest, note that it was only the grain and no oil or frankincense which were customary with grain offerings.
(1) Oil and frankincense were thought to sweeten a grain offering but neither was to be poured on this offering thus there is nothing sweet about this offering, rather it is a bitter thing.
(a) Either the wife will be found guilty of adultery or the husband will be guilty of unwarranted suspicion.
i) Each one is heartbreaking in its own right and the antithesis of love.
(2) Note what it says here at the end of verse-15 it is "an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance."
(a) The idea isn't that the wife committed adultery and didn't remember it, this isn't about the memories of the husband and wife but about reminding the whole congregation of the horrible nature of both adultery and false accusation.
i) Let me say that there are times where suspicions are genuinely raised and need to be brought into an arena a proper arena for the truth to be addressed, but that arena usually does not involve the whole camp. (watch out how and where and to whom you make or receive accusations)
3. The ceremony of this offering is described in verses 16-28
Numbers 5:16-28 (NKJV)
16 ‘And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord.
17 The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.
18 Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.
19 And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband’s authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse.
20 But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority, and if you have defiled yourself and some man other than your husband has lain with you”—
21 then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman— “the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell;
22 and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.” ‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.”
23 ‘Then the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall scrape them off into the bitter water.
24 And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitter.
25 Then the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman’s hand, shall wave the offering before the Lord, and bring it to the altar;
26 and the priest shall take a handful of the offering, as its memorial portion, burn it on the altar, and afterward make the woman drink the water.
27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people.
28 But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children.
a. The priest would set the woman before the Lord, take holy water and sweep up some dust from the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water then he would place the grain offering in her hand which was a reminder of fellowship with God.
(1) The with the vessel of bitter water that brings a curse in his hands he would put her under oath that if she was innocent she would be free of the effects of the bitter water, but if guilty the curse would come upon her causing her belly to swell and her thigh to rot to which she would respond amen so be it.
(a) In doing this she was agreeing that if innocent she would be vindicated, but if guilty she was deserving of the punishment the curse brought.
(2) The priest would then write the curses down, and when the ink dries he would scrape the words of the curse off into the bitter water.
(3) The priest would then take the grain offering from her hands and take it to the altar and burn it, and then she would drink the bitter water.
(a) Then over time the judgment of God would become evident...
Our sin has a way of coming out, God sees and knows all that we do, nothing is hidden to Him.
4. And the chapter concludes
Numbers 5:29-31 (NKJV)
29 ‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband’s authority, goes astray and defiles herself,
30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man, and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the Lord, and the priest shall execute all this law upon her.
31 Then the man shall be free from iniquity, but that woman shall bear her guilt.’ ”
a. Clearly God did not want His people to suffer the heartache of infidelity or labor under the burden of unresolved suspicion associated with jealousy in marriage and demonstrates to us that such things must be dealt with and the impurity such thing bring to the holy state of marriage are intolerable and must be put away.
b. We might also note as we consider the bitter cup that we deserve to drink and which rightfully would bring about our judgment and damnation, we need not drink of it because Christ drank the bitter cup in our place!
III. People who are to dwell in the Promised Land:
A. If we are to be such people;
if we are going to be the people who walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh;
we are going to have to see our sin through the eyes of Christ;
we are going to have to put the things that separate from God out of our lives as we become aware of them, and we are going to need to trust God to help us do it.
1. But that means we need to humble ourselves and we need to be honest with God.
a. I hate it may not be accurate, I love it (my sin) may be more honest, what ever the case is I pray God helps us to drag the impurity permeating our lives into His glorious light so that the things that defile us can be put away from us.
(1) So that we can be separated from our sin, and separated to God.

Numbers 3-4

Numbers_3-4
2/15/09

Numbers_3-4: The Priests and the Levites

I. Aaron and his sons.
A. They were part of the tribe of Levi, but Aaron and his sons were specially set aside and chosen by God to be priests.

Exodus 28:1 (NKJV) (God speaks to Moses and says)
1 “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

B. Numbers 3:1-4

Numbers 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now these are the records of Aaron and Moses when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he consecrated to minister as priests.
4 Nadab and Abihu had died before the Lord when they offered profane fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

1. In introducing this section we read these are the records (Genealogies) Aaron and Moses...
a. Usually we find Moses' name mentioned before Aaron's but here in connection with the word translated "records" (toledoth) we find Aarons name first.
(1) While he was the older of the two the point being made for us is that the focus of this section of the record is the relationship of the Aaronic priesthood to the Levites.
2. Aaron was the High Priest, and his sons were priests under him, two of his four sons (Nadab and Abihu) were killed by God when they offered strange fire before the Lord, this left the other two sons Eleazer and Ithamar to serve with their father as priests .
a. Since only Aaron and his direct descendents could serve as priests (thus the Aaronic priesthood) it would be impossible for Aaron and his two sons to keep up with all the religious duties themselves .
b. So the entire tribe of Levi was chosen to assist with the religious needs of the nation but their responsibilities stopped short of the duties assigned solely to the priests.
c. Since Aaron was a Levite, we see that all priests are Levites, but not all Levites are priests.
3. A lesson for us in this is that it is God who assigns our place in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-19 (NKJV)
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

a. But whatever that place is, it is a needful part of the whole, and essential to the work and service God has assigned to build and sustain the body of Christ, and to accomplish the delivery of the Gospel .
II. The Levites were given to Aaron

Numbers 3:5-10 (NKJV)
5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.
7 And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.
8 Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle.
9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel.
10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

A. They were given to Aaron the priest to serve him and attend to his needs, as well as to those of the whole nation to do the work of the tabernacle.
1. They could not serve as priests, offering sacrifices or other function in within the tabernacle, instead they helped in the transport of the furnishing and structure, as well as other labor associated with the tabernacle.
III. The Levites were a possession to God.

Numbers 3:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
12 “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine,
13 because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the Lord.”

A. Though they were given to Aaron to serve his needs, God says they belonged to Him.
1. They were chosen in lieu of the first born and represent the firstfruits of the people.
a. The Lord had spared the first born of all Israel during the tenth plague in Egypt when all the first born of the Egyptian were killed, and as a result God had decreed that all the first born belonged to Him
IV. Numbering the tribe of Levi
A. The command to number the Levites.

Numbers 3:14-20 (NKJV)
14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying:
15 “Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”
16 So Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.
17 These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
19 And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses.

1. All the males of the Levites from the age of 1 month and up ward were to be numbered and categorized by the families and grouped by their affiliation to the three sons of Levis - Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
B. The family of Gershon

Numbers 3:21-26 (NKJV)
21 From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites.
22 Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above—of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred.
23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward.
24 And the leader of the father’s house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael.
25 The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,
26 the screen for the door of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, according to all the work relating to them.

1. The Gershonites numbered 7500 males and they were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west side between the three tribes camped under the banner of Ephraim and the tabernacle itself
a. Their duties or responsibilities were to take care of the skins that covered the tabernacle, and the curtains including those that surrounded the outer courtyard.
C. The family of Kohath

Numbers 3:27-32 (NKJV)
27 From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites.
28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary.
29 The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle.
30 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
31 Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.
32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.

1. The Kohathites numbered 8600 males and camped to the south of the tabernacle, between the tabernacle and those who camped with the tribe of Reuben.
a. Their duties and responsibilities were the furniture of the tabernacle, such things as the ark, the table of show bread, the lamp stand etc. and they did so under the direction of Eleazer the priest, Aaron’s son.
D. The family of Merari

Numbers 3:33-37 (NKJV)
33 From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.
34 And those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred.
35 The leader of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
36 And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them,
37 and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.

1. The males of the family of Merari totaled 6200 males and they camped to the north between the tabernacle and the tribes who camped under the banner of Dan.
a. They had responsibility for the structural aspect of the tabernacle, the pillars and boards and such.
E. The camp of the priests

Numbers 3:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death.
39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

1. The families of Moses and Aaron were to camp on the East side of the tabernacle, the entrance to the tabernacle was always set to the east, and so they would be between the tabernacle and the tribes that were encamped with Judah.
2. The total number of Levite males we are told in v-39 was 22,000 which doesn't match the totals of the numbers given to us in vv- 22, 28, and 34 which add up to 22,300.
a. The most likely problems are that the number in verse 28 was corrupted and was actually 8300 not 8600, which is the change of one small mark in Hebrew.
b. Or there were 300 males that were not abloe to serve and therefore to redeem the firstborn of Israel.
V. The exchange of the Levites for the first born of Israel.

Numbers 3:40-51 (NKJV)
40 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.
41 And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.”
42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the Lord commanded him.
43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the Lord.
46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,
47 you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs.
48 And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons.”
49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites.
50 From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
51 And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

A. So all the firstborn of Israel from a month old and up were to be numbered, the firstborn were considered the best or the most favorable, and always belonged to God; but instead of giving the firstborn to God, the tribe of Levi was given to God in their place.
1. However there were 22,273 firstborn sons of Israel and only 22,000 firstborn sons of Levites so a redemption price of five shekels for each of the extra 273 men was collected and give to the priests to be used for tabernacle needs .
2. The number of firstborns is a low number in ration to the totals of the tribes and probably relates to the firstborn sons from the time of the exodus until the present time a period roughly thirteen months.
VI. The duty of the Kohathites
A. Those fit for service.

Numbers 4:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,
3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

1. Another census is taken of the males between the ages of 30 and 50 these were the ones that would actually do the work
B. The packing of the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle.

Numbers 4:4-14 (NKJV)
4 “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things:
5 When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
6 Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles.
7 “On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the pans, the bowls, and the pitchers for pouring; and the showbread shall be on it.
8 They shall spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.
9 And they shall take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand of the light, with its lamps, its wick-trimmers, its trays, and all its oil vessels, with which they service it.
10 Then they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of badger skins, and put it on a carrying beam.
11 “Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.
12 Then they shall take all the utensils of service with which they minister in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of badger skins, and put them on a carrying beam.
13 Also they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth over it.
14 They shall put on it all its implements with which they minister there—the firepans, the forks, the shovels, the basins, and all the utensils of the altar—and they shall spread on it a covering of badger skins, and insert its poles.

1. When the camp prepared to journey (headed towards the promised land) it would have to be carried long distances and thus it had to be prepared for safe travel.
a. Since the furniture it self was holy it had to be packed up and prepared by the priests before it could be given to the Kohathites to carry.
b. Detailed instruction of how to pack things up were given.
C. The moving of the furniture and utensils.

Numbers 4:15-20 (NKJV)
15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. “These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
16 “The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.”
17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
18 “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
19 but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task.
20 But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.” Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

1. When they were set to go the furniture of the tabernacle was made with poles to carry them and the Kohathites were not to touch the furniture lest they die, but carried the furniture by the poles.
2. Eleazer the priest supervised the work of the Kohathites.
VII. The duty of the Gershonites.
A. Those fit for service

Num 21-23
21Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
22Also take a census of the sons of ?x?Gershon, by their fathers' house, by their families.
23 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

B. Duties of the Gershonites

Numbers 4:24-28 (NKJV)
24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying:
25 They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of meeting with its covering, the covering of badger skins that is on it, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,
26 the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, all the furnishings for their service and all that is made for these things: so shall they serve.
27 “Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their tasks and all their service. And you shall appoint to them all their tasks as their duty.
28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting. And their duties shall be under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

1. There duties were over the coverings and the artistically woven curtains that made up the walls and roof of the tent.
a. And they were under the supervision of Aarons son Ithamar.
VIII. The duty of the family of Merari.
A. Those fit for service.

Numbers 4:29-30 (NKJV)
29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house.
30 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

B. There duties

Numbers 4:31-33 (NKJV)
31 And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
32 and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry.
33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

1. So the Gershonites were to pack and carry the boards and pillars the structural part of the tabernacle, these items were overlaid with precious metals and probably weighed around 19,000 pounds .
a. Each man was assigned by name what he was to carry, it was not pick up what ever you want to carry, no doubt this was for accountability and order as things were set back up.

Dependability in service is so important...

IX. Summary of the census of the Levites,

Numbers 4:34-48 (NKJV)
34 And Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families and by their fathers’ house,
35 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting;
36 and those who were numbered by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
37 These were the ones who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
38 And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families and by their fathers’ house,
39 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—
40 those who were numbered by their families, by their fathers’ house, were two thousand six hundred and thirty.
41 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord.
42 Those of the families of the sons of Merari who were numbered, by their families, by their fathers’ house,
43 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—
44 those who were numbered by their families were three thousand two hundred.
45 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
46 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers’ houses,
47 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who came to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tabernacle of meeting—
48 those who were numbered were eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

A. The total number of Levites involved in this work was 8580 (30-50 years old).
1. Kohathites 2750
2. Gershonites 2630
3. Merarites 3200
B. Each one had a specific part to play and yet they were dependent on each other for to do that work.
1. A lot of trouble occurs in the service of the Lord when people desire a different calling that God has given them.
a. Or by exalting one thing over the other.
C. When we all do our part, the church is built up, made or kept strong and healthy, and the gospel is advanced.
1. Far too often the church is weakened by those who interpose themselves into things and situations that were not for them to get involved in...
a. We spend more time dealing with internal murmurings and troubles than one would think possible and it detracts from what we could be doing to advance the gospel.


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