A READY AND ABLE ARMY

So; finally all of the army is ready and all of the captains are chosen and put into place and instructed by Moses to take the census.

Only one tribe is not designated yet – the Tribe of Levi.

AN AMAZINGLY LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE

The whole army of Israel has been counted.

There were 603,550 able-bodied men in the army.

Aside from that there were 22,000 Levites.

Each tribe camped under their own banner and all the banners surrounded the camps of the Levites on all four sides with the wilderness tabernacle right in the center of the camp.

INTRODUCTION

We are so glad you joined our COME AS A CHILD BIBLE STUDY today.

You will find us here every Thursday, making our way slowly through the scriptures; walking like little children seeking to know more of our Father as we go.

Today we are studying the first sections of the Book of Numbers; Chapter 3.

If you wish to review the the previous lesson; you may find it here: http://GOD IS MY JUDGE – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 250

EACH MAN WAS HEAD OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD

The families of this huge army were camped with them.

Each able-bodied man was in charge of the people of his own household; which were all living with him inside his tent.

The open door of every tent for every family of every man in the army faced toward the tabernacle.

GOD HAD PROVIDED EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED

What an amazing amount of people traveling through the hot dessert sands together!

This is a huge amount of mouths to feed.  It would seem an impossible thing to do, especially in ancient times.

However; God had provided everything they needed.

GRANTING THE PROVISION FOR HELP FOR THE PRIESTS

Another great provision provided by God at this time was the announcement that He was allowing all of the men from the tribe of Levi to became the designated priestly tribe for Israel.

These men could help Aaron and his sons to perform the needed tasks of the tabernacle.  They served in the same capacity as those today we would call priests, caretakers, judges and teachers.

Up until the Levites were appointed by God; the only priests for the new nation were Aaron as High Priest and his sons. The priesthood would be passed on from father to son to all of the descendants of the family of Aaron from this point forward.

Now; the Levites would also help the sons of Aaron as priests with all the the tasks for caring for the tabernacle.  They took care of the furnishings of the tabernacle and handled any other assigned tasks from Aaron.

THE PRIESTS MARRIED AND HAD FAMILIES

Don’t get the wrong idea when we say “priests” and think these men were living secluded and chaste lives without marrying or ever having children.

The ancient priests were commanded by God to be fruitful and multiply.

Their sons were much needed in order for the priesthood to continue and thrive.

Each of the Levites had their families living inside their tents.  Their doors faced the tabernacle of God in the center of the camp.

DESCENDANTS OF AARON

Aaron was appointed to the office of High Priest for life.  His descendants were to follow after him.

Aaron’s four sons were duly anointed to serve as priests.  These four men were named Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

THE LESSON OF NADAB AND ABIHU

The number of men serving as priests with Aaron before the Levites was abruptly cut in half when Nadab and Abihu had displeased God greatly by coming before him with strange fire; and they had lost their lives at the altar.  Only two sons of Aaron were left; Eleazar and Ithamar.

I think the lessons we studied in the past about Nadab and Abihu (in our studies of Exodus and Leviticus) are very important.  Now  would be a great time to go back and review the details of what happened with these two men.

The story of Nadab and Abihu is extremely significant when we think of following God in the manner and the way that He wants us to follow him.

This is exactly what God was lining Israel up to do.  He was setting them in the proper order so that they could follow Him forever and become a nation that would lead the world to God’s Kingdom.

Here is the link to one lesson from the past on Nadab and Abihu ; should you want to review it before moving on:  https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/strange-fire/ .

ONLY AARON AND TWO SONS WERE PREPARED TO SERVE

Aaron’s two youngest sons; Eleazar and Ithamar were left to serve at the altar during the lifetime of Aaron.

These three men obviously were not enough to minister to such a great multitude of people as they worshiped in the wilderness tabernacle.

Of course God knew that; and he had that base covered too.

GOD APPOINTS AND COMMANDS THE LEVITES TO SERVE

God gave the tribe of Levi to Aaron and his sons to help them serve at the tabernacle.  They had tasks that helped to keep the tabernacle in order and functioning and running well.

Only Aaron and his sons and the Levites were allowed to approach the Sanctuary of the tabernacle.  No one else  was authorized to be in that area of the tabernacle.

If anyone else approached the Sanctuary; they would be sentenced to death.

GOD CALLS THE LEVITES THE “FIRST BORN”

Next week we will talk more about the Levites and about the fact that God considered these men of the tribe of Levi to be the “first-born” of the Israelites.

There is a great significance attached to being “first-born” and it is a timely thing for us to talk about as we are beginning to approach the season of Passover.