Numbers 3

Numbers 3:1-51

Numbers 3:1-51; Numbers 4:1-49(b) The Numbering of the Levites (Numbers 3:1-51; Numbers 4:1-49, cf. Numbers 1:47-54) The Levites had to do with the outside of the Tabernacle (cf. Numbers 18:1-6), just as the priests had to do with the service on the inside. The service of God was too great for the priests alone to perform, consequently there arose the necessity of the service of the Levites. So today in the Christian Church the work of God is too great for the ministry alone to accomplish. Christian laymen have their part to play and should find their places in the work of the Church. This was true also in the case of Moses and the appointing of the seventy elders (Numbers 11:1-35) and of the apostles and the appointing of deacons (Acts 6:1-6). The service of the Levites was, of course, based on redemption. They were substituted for the firstborn who had been saved that dark night in Egypt when the destroying angel passed through the land. Their service consisted in looking after the sacred vessels, utensils, and furniture in connection with the Tabernacle (Numbers 18:1-6). To this service they were to devote their entire time. They seem to have been in apprenticeship until the age of twenty-five, in full service from thirty until fifty, at which time they were retired from certain forms, but not from all kinds of service (Numbers 8:25-26). Their maintenance, however, did not cease at the age of fifty.

They were warned frequently to exercise great care in the handling of the holy things connected with the Tabernacle. They must not overstep their province, “ lest they die” (Numbers 4:16-20). There are some practical lessons for us to learn from the numbering of the Levites. There is still call for a lay ministry and for men and women to dedicate their lives to exclusive Christian service even outside of the regular ministry. God, of course, must indicate such a call, for He is Sovereign in the bestowal of His gifts and the distribution of offices in connection with the Church (Ephesians 4:1-10). God has the right to make such a call, for we are His by redemption (1 Corinthians 6:20). The Church sadly needs such men and women who will give their lives and service to Christ just as the Levites were given to Aaron and the priests for their service. The fact that such particular attention is given to the matter of age in connection with the service of the Levites would seem to teach us: First, that we “ lay hands suddenly on no man” (1 Timothy 5:22) and put “ not a novice” into the service of the Church (1 Timothy 3:6). Secondly, that provision should be made for the support in old age of those who have given their lives to the service of God. The lesson of reverence is constantly needed. “ We are also warned by the reference to Nadab and Abihu (Numbers 3:4) that we must be careful not to fill our censers with strange fire, that is, not to use wrong methods in the pursuit of God’ s work.