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Notes: April 8, 2008 – Numbers 3

English language Bible study guide from Trinity International Baptist Church of Athens, Greece.

Job assignments for the Levites

Family Location around the Tabernacle Census of males one month and older Work responsibility
Gershon West 7,500 The tent and its coverings, hangings, cords, and curtains
Kohath South 8,600 The ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars and the utensils
Merari North 6,200 The boards, bars, pillars and sockets
 

Total:

22,000 (22,273)

  
Moses & Aaron East   Packing and unpacking and daily and special services

 

Meditation Points:

  • The Priests and Levites encamp immediately around the Tabernacle, between the Tabernacle and the other Tribes. So also the sinner must approach God by way of Christ the servant and high priest.
  • Moses and Aaron, though Levites themselves, are separated from the others.
  • The Levites must carry the sacred furniture, but they are not to take part in the packing and unpacking thereof.
  • The Levites were accepted by God as a substitute for all the first-born sons in Israel. The first-born who were not thus redeemed by a Levite, were to be redeemed by money.

 

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Notes: April 7, 2008 – Numbers 2

The order of encampment

Rank Placement Head Tribe Members of Rank # of Soldiers
East Judah Judah 74,600
    Isaachar 54,400
    Zebulon 52,400
    Subtotal: 186,400
       
South Reuben Reuben 46,500
    Simeon 59,300
    Gad 45,650
    Subtotal: 151,450
       
West Ephraim Ephraim 40,500
    Manasseh 32,200
    Benjamin 35,400
    Subtotal: 108,100
       
North Dan Dan 62,700
    Asher 41,500
    Naphtali 53,400
    Subtotal: 157,600
       
    Total Soldiers: 603,550

 

 Meditation Points:

  • God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and He expects all things to be done decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40).
  • God appointed the grouping; Israel had no choice in the matter. Often we find ourselves grouped with people we would not have chosen; but our duty is to submit to God’s providence.
  • A place for everything, and everything in its place.

 

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Notes: April 6, 2008 – Numbers 1

The Census of Year 0002

After the tabernacle had been dedicated and in use for a month, God ordered a national census of all males 20 years old and upward, all that were able to go to war.

Exodus 40:17; Numbers 1:1-3.

 

Tribe

Representative Elder

Males 20 years old and upwards

1.

 Reuben Elizur

46,500

2.

 Simeon Shelumiel 59,300

3.

 Judah Nahshon 74,600

4.

 Issachar Nethaneel 54,400

5.

 Zebulun Eliab 57,400

6.

 Joseph/Ephraim Elishama 40,500

7.

 Joseph/Manasseh Gamaliel 32,200

8.

 Benjamin Abidan 35,400

9.

 Dan Ahiezer 62,700

10.

 Asher Pagiel 41,500

11.

 Gad Eliasaph 45,650

12.

 Naphtali Ahira 53,400

 

  

Total:

 603,550

 

 Levi   not numbered

 Meditation Points:

  • Joseph, as promised by Jacob, receives a double representation.
  • The Levites, because of their tabernacle responsibilities, are excused from military obligations–a religious deferment.
  • The government is a theocracy, with representatives of the governed speaking and acting for their tribes; this is not a democracy.
  • If there were more than half a million men over the age of 20, how many younger men and women and children must there have been?

 

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Notes: April 5, 2008 – Leviticus 27

Talk about dedication…

I. Redemption price for people of varying ages (1-13).

 

Age

Male value

Female value

Birth to 1 month

n/a

na/

1 month to 5 years

5 silver shekels

3 silver shekels

5 – 20 years

20 silver shekels

10 silver shekels

20 – 60 years

50 silver shekels

30 silver shekels

60+ years

15 silver shekels

10 silver shekels

 

II. Houses and fields redeemed at appraised value +20% (14-25).

III. Special rules and summary (26-34)

 

Meditation Points:

  • Whether you vowed to make an offering because of your gratitude for God’s mercy, or whether you are vowing in relationship to a petition for God’s mercy, you were to show your dedication and commitment by making a prescribed payment to the priest.
  • Corban anybody? (Matthew 7:9-13)

 

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