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.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
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.
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.
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