Numbers 3:14-39 – The Levites
The Levites are here delivered to Aaron, that he might know what he has, and employ them accordingly. Every male from a month old and upward is numbered. The rest of the tribes are numbered only from twenty years old and upwards, and of them only those that are able to go forth to war; but the Levites count both infants, and infirm. Though it appears afterwards that little more than a third of the Levites are fit to be employed in the service of the tabernacle (ch. 4:47-48), yet God wants them all numbered; that none may think themselves disowned and rejected of God because they are not in a capacity of doing Him that service which they see others do Him. The redemption of the first-born is reckoned from a month old (ch. 18:15-16), therefore from that age the Levites are numbered.
The rest of the tribes don’t have their separate families numbered by themselves like Levi does; this honour God puts upon His own tribe. The Gershonites pitch behind the tabernacle, westward, v. 23. The Kohathites on the right hand, southward, v. 29. The Merarites on the left hand, northward, v. 35. And, to complete the square, Moses and Aaron, with the priests, encamp in the front, eastward, v. 38. So the tabernacle is surrounded with its guards. Every one knows his place, and must stay there. As each family has its own place, so each has its own prince. Each family knows their own business; it is important they should, for that which is everybody’s work often proves nobody’s work. Moses’ family doesn’t receive special treatment but are Levites just like the rest of the tribe. The tribe of Levi is one of the least of all the tribes. It is a characteristic of God that though He gives us so much, He takes so little for Himself.
Questions
- Who all is numbered among the Levites?
- How big was the tribe of the Levites?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for God’s grace to you.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.