Numbers 5
KingCommentsNumbers 5:1
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:2
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:3
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:4
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:5
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:6
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:7
Tribes on the South Side
The second side is the south side. South side is literally ‘the right side’. The right side speaks in the Scriptures of dignity of position. The Lord Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). In a spiritual sense this means that the believer who camps on the south side knows the position of the Lord Jesus. That believer also knows that this is his own position, because he is in Christ. God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Reuben is the leader on that side. Reuben means ‘see, a son’. When the church meets, believers come together who know that they are sons of God and that they owe it to the Lord Jesus, the Son, Who is their life.
Then Simeon and Gad have to camp on the south side. Reuben and Simeon are the oldest sons of Leah. Levi is not numbered. In his place comes Gad, the first son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah.
Numbers 5:8
The Tribe of Levi
After two of the four standards are set out, the tent of meeting is set out. The tent of meeting is the center of the people. That is what the whole people should be aiming for, from there come their marching orders.
First we talk about “camp”, then “set out”, but both actions take place in agreement with each other. There must be set out to continue travelling in the same way as the people have camped. One is not separate from the other. Both in worship and approaching God – for which they camp – as well as in defense and protection – which must happen when they set out with the camp – it is about the relationship of God with His people. In these activities the Levites have their own specific task. They are seen as inseparable from both services.
Numbers 5:9
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:10
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:11
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:12
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:13
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:14
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:15
Tribes on the West Side
The third side is the west side. The three tribes that have their camp there are closest to the ark of the testimony. West side is literally ‘side of the sea’. This is the side that speaks of trials and difficulties in the life of the believer. In those trials they produce fruit for God (cf. Genesis 1:20-23). Life in connection with the tent of meeting also has its trials. Do we know them? Through these trials God wants to work fruit for Himself in the meetings.
Ephraim is the leader of this group of three. Ephraim means ‘double fertility’. He is an appropriate ‘standard-bearer’ for the west side. With him Manasseh and Benjamin also camp on the west side of the tent of meeting. These three are descendants of Rachel, whereby we see that Joseph is represented by his two sons.
These three tribes are also mentioned in Psalms 80 (Psalms 80:2). The psalmist asks God to lead them in the last days of Israel’s affliction and to reveal His power as in the days of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 10:35).
Numbers 5:16
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:17
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:18
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:19
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:20
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:21
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:22
Tribes on the North Side
The north side is the darkest side, furthest from the sun. The north is literally ‘hiding’. This represents the gloomy side of the testimony of God on earth. The light of God cannot penetrate there. So it may be that through hidden sins there is no power to come together to the glory of God. The meetings do take place, but without conviction, out of pure habit.
The leader on this side is Dan. Jacob calls him in his blessing “a serpent” (Genesis 49:17), by which he links Dan to the devil. The descendants of Dan, the Danites, have the doubtful honor of being first to introduce idolatry early in the history of Israel (Judges 18:30).
Together with Asher and Naphtali they set out last. They are all three sons of maids. Dan is the first son of Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Asher is the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Leah. Naphtali is Bilhah’s second son.
Numbers 5:23
The Command Carried Out
The number of warriors mentioned in Numbers 1 is repeated here (Numbers 2:32; Numbers 1:46). It corresponds to the tribes. Every warrior has taken his place in his own tribe. Each tribe has taken its own position in relation to the tent of meeting under the standard appointed by God. When Balaam sees this order, he comes to the outcry: “How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5).
Numbers 5:24
The Command Carried Out
The number of warriors mentioned in Numbers 1 is repeated here (Numbers 2:32; Numbers 1:46). It corresponds to the tribes. Every warrior has taken his place in his own tribe. Each tribe has taken its own position in relation to the tent of meeting under the standard appointed by God. When Balaam sees this order, he comes to the outcry: “How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5).
Numbers 5:25
The Command Carried Out
The number of warriors mentioned in Numbers 1 is repeated here (Numbers 2:32; Numbers 1:46). It corresponds to the tribes. Every warrior has taken his place in his own tribe. Each tribe has taken its own position in relation to the tent of meeting under the standard appointed by God. When Balaam sees this order, he comes to the outcry: “How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5).
Numbers 5:27
Introduction
In this chapter we see that the Levites according to the thoughts of God are set apart for the service. They are a type of the church, or rather of the members of the church, in their service to God, just as the priests are a picture of the New Testament believers who draw near to the throne of God for worship or in intercession for the benefit of others.
There are three principles that are important to us in the service to the Lord: 1. We are redeemed out of Egypt, a picture of the world (Exodus 12:1-40; Galatians 1:4). 2. As a result, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20). 3. We were given to Christ for the service in the church on earth (cf. Numbers 3:6).
The Levites are the only tribe chosen to carry the holy things of the tabernacle and serve therein. For the church this means that every member, every believer, is responsible for making his contribution to being a church. Of all that God has given us in the church, He has given us the responsibility to carry it all through the wilderness and to bring it to its end intact.
Every child of God is a Levite, but the question is who actually does this service. Every Levite has its own task. God has given us all a gift of grace, but are we using it? That is different from the priests. All the sons of Aaron are priests; there is no distinction therein. So we meet on the first day of the week. All brothers and sisters perform priestly service. In drawing near to God all discernment disappears, for who and what are we in His presence? As Levites there is a difference. This distinction is made by God Himself (1 Corinthians 12:5). Each has his own task, which is different from the task of the other.
The Generations of Aaron and Moses
Moses and Aaron are mentioned together as the spiritual fathers of the generation of Levi, both priests and Levites. In Moses the aspect of the authority of the Word of God comes to the fore. In Aaron we see more sympathy for our weaknesses. Together they are a picture of the Lord Jesus in Whom both aspects are perfectly united (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:12-16).
Nadab and Abihu have not taken into account the authority of the word God has spoken and have entered the sanctuary in the opinion of being able to come near God in their own way (Leviticus 10:1-3). That is their own invented priestly service. Such a priesthood dies out, it does not hold out to God because God does not hold it, there is nothing of Him in it. They have no sons or descendants to follow them. Their death, so soon after the establishment of the priesthood, must be a terrifying example and call for holiness in the priestly service.
Mentioning their names and their end makes it clear that the priesthood is not linked to the importance of the family, but to the sovereign choice of God. It also shows that getting a privilege does not automatically mean faithfulness, but that man is able to corrupt his privilege.
The remaining sons serve as priests during Aaron’s life. It is good if young people serve under the watchful eye of the elderly. It must also have been a joy for Aaron to see worthy successors in these two sons (cf. 3 John 1:4).
Numbers 5:28
Introduction
In this chapter we see that the Levites according to the thoughts of God are set apart for the service. They are a type of the church, or rather of the members of the church, in their service to God, just as the priests are a picture of the New Testament believers who draw near to the throne of God for worship or in intercession for the benefit of others.
There are three principles that are important to us in the service to the Lord: 1. We are redeemed out of Egypt, a picture of the world (Exodus 12:1-40; Galatians 1:4). 2. As a result, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20). 3. We were given to Christ for the service in the church on earth (cf. Numbers 3:6).
The Levites are the only tribe chosen to carry the holy things of the tabernacle and serve therein. For the church this means that every member, every believer, is responsible for making his contribution to being a church. Of all that God has given us in the church, He has given us the responsibility to carry it all through the wilderness and to bring it to its end intact.
Every child of God is a Levite, but the question is who actually does this service. Every Levite has its own task. God has given us all a gift of grace, but are we using it? That is different from the priests. All the sons of Aaron are priests; there is no distinction therein. So we meet on the first day of the week. All brothers and sisters perform priestly service. In drawing near to God all discernment disappears, for who and what are we in His presence? As Levites there is a difference. This distinction is made by God Himself (1 Corinthians 12:5). Each has his own task, which is different from the task of the other.
The Generations of Aaron and Moses
Moses and Aaron are mentioned together as the spiritual fathers of the generation of Levi, both priests and Levites. In Moses the aspect of the authority of the Word of God comes to the fore. In Aaron we see more sympathy for our weaknesses. Together they are a picture of the Lord Jesus in Whom both aspects are perfectly united (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:12-16).
Nadab and Abihu have not taken into account the authority of the word God has spoken and have entered the sanctuary in the opinion of being able to come near God in their own way (Leviticus 10:1-3). That is their own invented priestly service. Such a priesthood dies out, it does not hold out to God because God does not hold it, there is nothing of Him in it. They have no sons or descendants to follow them. Their death, so soon after the establishment of the priesthood, must be a terrifying example and call for holiness in the priestly service.
Mentioning their names and their end makes it clear that the priesthood is not linked to the importance of the family, but to the sovereign choice of God. It also shows that getting a privilege does not automatically mean faithfulness, but that man is able to corrupt his privilege.
The remaining sons serve as priests during Aaron’s life. It is good if young people serve under the watchful eye of the elderly. It must also have been a joy for Aaron to see worthy successors in these two sons (cf. 3 John 1:4).
Numbers 5:29
Introduction
In this chapter we see that the Levites according to the thoughts of God are set apart for the service. They are a type of the church, or rather of the members of the church, in their service to God, just as the priests are a picture of the New Testament believers who draw near to the throne of God for worship or in intercession for the benefit of others.
There are three principles that are important to us in the service to the Lord: 1. We are redeemed out of Egypt, a picture of the world (Exodus 12:1-40; Galatians 1:4). 2. As a result, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20). 3. We were given to Christ for the service in the church on earth (cf. Numbers 3:6).
The Levites are the only tribe chosen to carry the holy things of the tabernacle and serve therein. For the church this means that every member, every believer, is responsible for making his contribution to being a church. Of all that God has given us in the church, He has given us the responsibility to carry it all through the wilderness and to bring it to its end intact.
Every child of God is a Levite, but the question is who actually does this service. Every Levite has its own task. God has given us all a gift of grace, but are we using it? That is different from the priests. All the sons of Aaron are priests; there is no distinction therein. So we meet on the first day of the week. All brothers and sisters perform priestly service. In drawing near to God all discernment disappears, for who and what are we in His presence? As Levites there is a difference. This distinction is made by God Himself (1 Corinthians 12:5). Each has his own task, which is different from the task of the other.
The Generations of Aaron and Moses
Moses and Aaron are mentioned together as the spiritual fathers of the generation of Levi, both priests and Levites. In Moses the aspect of the authority of the Word of God comes to the fore. In Aaron we see more sympathy for our weaknesses. Together they are a picture of the Lord Jesus in Whom both aspects are perfectly united (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:12-16).
Nadab and Abihu have not taken into account the authority of the word God has spoken and have entered the sanctuary in the opinion of being able to come near God in their own way (Leviticus 10:1-3). That is their own invented priestly service. Such a priesthood dies out, it does not hold out to God because God does not hold it, there is nothing of Him in it. They have no sons or descendants to follow them. Their death, so soon after the establishment of the priesthood, must be a terrifying example and call for holiness in the priestly service.
Mentioning their names and their end makes it clear that the priesthood is not linked to the importance of the family, but to the sovereign choice of God. It also shows that getting a privilege does not automatically mean faithfulness, but that man is able to corrupt his privilege.
The remaining sons serve as priests during Aaron’s life. It is good if young people serve under the watchful eye of the elderly. It must also have been a joy for Aaron to see worthy successors in these two sons (cf. 3 John 1:4).
Numbers 5:30
Introduction
In this chapter we see that the Levites according to the thoughts of God are set apart for the service. They are a type of the church, or rather of the members of the church, in their service to God, just as the priests are a picture of the New Testament believers who draw near to the throne of God for worship or in intercession for the benefit of others.
There are three principles that are important to us in the service to the Lord: 1. We are redeemed out of Egypt, a picture of the world (Exodus 12:1-40; Galatians 1:4). 2. As a result, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20). 3. We were given to Christ for the service in the church on earth (cf. Numbers 3:6).
The Levites are the only tribe chosen to carry the holy things of the tabernacle and serve therein. For the church this means that every member, every believer, is responsible for making his contribution to being a church. Of all that God has given us in the church, He has given us the responsibility to carry it all through the wilderness and to bring it to its end intact.
Every child of God is a Levite, but the question is who actually does this service. Every Levite has its own task. God has given us all a gift of grace, but are we using it? That is different from the priests. All the sons of Aaron are priests; there is no distinction therein. So we meet on the first day of the week. All brothers and sisters perform priestly service. In drawing near to God all discernment disappears, for who and what are we in His presence? As Levites there is a difference. This distinction is made by God Himself (1 Corinthians 12:5). Each has his own task, which is different from the task of the other.
The Generations of Aaron and Moses
Moses and Aaron are mentioned together as the spiritual fathers of the generation of Levi, both priests and Levites. In Moses the aspect of the authority of the Word of God comes to the fore. In Aaron we see more sympathy for our weaknesses. Together they are a picture of the Lord Jesus in Whom both aspects are perfectly united (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:12-16).
Nadab and Abihu have not taken into account the authority of the word God has spoken and have entered the sanctuary in the opinion of being able to come near God in their own way (Leviticus 10:1-3). That is their own invented priestly service. Such a priesthood dies out, it does not hold out to God because God does not hold it, there is nothing of Him in it. They have no sons or descendants to follow them. Their death, so soon after the establishment of the priesthood, must be a terrifying example and call for holiness in the priestly service.
Mentioning their names and their end makes it clear that the priesthood is not linked to the importance of the family, but to the sovereign choice of God. It also shows that getting a privilege does not automatically mean faithfulness, but that man is able to corrupt his privilege.
The remaining sons serve as priests during Aaron’s life. It is good if young people serve under the watchful eye of the elderly. It must also have been a joy for Aaron to see worthy successors in these two sons (cf. 3 John 1:4).
Numbers 5:31
The Levites Are a Gift to the Priests
The Levites are given as a tribe to Aaron and his sons. They are subject to Aaron and act on the priest’s instructions. The Levite helps with priestly service. Every Levite’s service in the church aims to make the members of the church better and better priests through this service. A better priest is more to the honor of God.
They are also given to the whole congregation of Israel. Every believer is as a Levite, as a servant, accountable only to the Lord (Romans 14:4). The performance of his task is a matter only between the Lord and him. It is not the brothers and sisters who determine his service. If the matter is sound, they will agree to it. Only in the case of discipline, when sin becomes manifest in the servant, the church must deal with it.
The gifts are given to the church and find their realization in the midst of the church. That is why the servant has to do with the church. He does not act above or separate from the church. The church is entitled to this gift. He is a servant, so he is not in a higher place, but in the lowest place. He is subject to the Lord and works amidst the church.
Numbers 3:6 and Numbers 3:9 find their counterpart for us in the words of the Lord Jesus to His Father: “They were Yours and You gave them to Me” (John 17:6), and to the Jews: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).
The “layman” (Numbers 3:10) is someone who does not belong to Aaron’s family (cf. Numbers 3:38b). In Numbers 1 it concerns someone who is not a Levite (Numbers 1:51). Nadab and Abihu were qualified, but still killed because they approached in their own way.