Numbers 3:1-26  The Duties of the Levites – Part 1

[Study Aired May 1, 2023]

Num 3:1  These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.
Num 3:2  And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 
Num 3:3  These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 
Num 3:4  And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father. 
Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. 
Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 
Num 3:11  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:12  And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; 
Num 3:13  Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
Num 3:14  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
Num 3:15  Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them. 
Num 3:16  And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. 
Num 3:17  And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari. 
Num 3:18  And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei. 
Num 3:19  And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 
Num 3:20  And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers. 
Num 3:21  Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites. 
Num 3:22  Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
Num 3:23  The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward. 
Num 3:24  And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
Num 3:25  And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 3:26  And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

Introduction

In the first and second chapters of the Book of Numbers, we are told about the army the Lord is raising in every generation and how they are to dwell in this life. As we indicated in the previous study, the various tribes of Israel represent the world from which the Lord enlists His army.

We know that we learn more about spiritual matters from physical realities. In any military campaign, there are losses. Not all military personnel who go to war come back alive. The fact that we are blessed to be enrolled in the army of the Lord does not mean that we all will become overcomers. There are always casualties. That is why we are warned by the Lord as follows:

1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

There are several examples in the Bible of those who were found missing in action from the Lord’s army when it counted. The ten lepers that Jesus healed represent those who were shown mercy by the Lord to be part of His army, but only one returned from the battle of the flesh to give God the glory.

Luk 17:11  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 
Luk 17:12  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 
Luk 17:13  And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luk 17:14  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 
Luk 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 
Luk 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 
Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 
Luk 17:18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Luk 17:19  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Today’s study focuses on the generation of Aaron and Moses who were from the tribe of Levi. It is from this particular tribe the Lord chooses His priests. The study today therefore focuses on the Levites.

Num 3:1  These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.
Num 3:2  And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Num 3:3  These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 

It is from Aaron and Moses that we have the priesthood. This first group mentioned therefore represents those who are called to minister in the priest’s office. It is the greatest privilege to be called by the Lord and to be chosen to become a priest of the Lord. The names of the sons of Aaron reveal what is expected of the elect. ‘Nadab’ means liberal. The word liberal means willing to respect or accept behavior or opinion different from one’s own. In other words, open to new ideas. On a positive note, the elect being liberal means our willingness to accept the new revolutionary teachings of Christ, the reformer. In accepting Christ’s teachings, we have rejected our own opinion and that of others which constitute man’s wisdom and tradition.

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

‘Abihu’ means God is father. Nadab was the first born of Aaron followed by Abihu. This implies that it is when we become liberal, that is, accept the teachings of Christ, that God becomes our father. That is another way of saying the following:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word (if you accept my teachings), then are ye my disciples (children) indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

‘Eleazer’, who came third, means God is helper. It is when the Lord becomes our father that we realize that He is indeed our helper! The Lord being our helper means that He will keep and uphold us until that day!!

Psa 121:1  A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 
Psa 121:2  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 
Psa 121:3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 
Psa 121:4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The name of the last of Aaron’s sons is ‘Ithamar’ which signifies palm coast. It is very instrumental to note that where there are palm trees, there is water. 

Exo 15:27  And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Num 33:9  And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

As the Lord becomes our helper, we become like palm trees which are planted by the rivers of water that bring forth fruit at the right time ordained by the Lord. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Num 3:4  And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father. 

Being called and chosen does not mean that we have won the prize or have become overcomers. As we can see from verse 4, Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord because they offered strange fires. These strange fires symbolize false doctrines.  

Lev 10:1  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 
Lev 10:2  And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 

As we are aware, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was called and chosen. However, he missed the mark just like Nadab and Abihu. In Paul’s letters, we see Demas, called and chosen, being very helpful in the ministry. However, He fell in love with the world and therefore missed the cut. This is the word of the Lord which warns us not to be slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 
Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 
Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 
Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Col 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

2Ti 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

On a negative note, the Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are also of Abraham’s seed. However, they are not counted as the seed of promise and therefore are not to be given any inheritance. This is not because we, the elect, deserve any inheritance. It is through the hardening of their hearts against belief that we are privileged to receive mercy to believe. In the final analysis, this mercy we have received will be extended to the whole of the human race. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The Levites are given to the elect to help them minister to the Lord. They do the initial leg work of using the law of Moses as our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. After we get to know Christ through faith, we are no longer under their influence or the law of Moses. Today’s Levites represent the Christian religion. They are focused on building and taking care of physical churches (tabernacle of testimony). In other words, they are protecting the legacy of the Christian religion.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

On a positive note, the Levites symbolized the elect who are given the charge of protecting the testimony which is the word of God. This role of the elect started immediately after Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from the garden of Eden. The Cherubims signify the elect who are protecting the truth of the word of the Lord in every generation. It is only through the judgment of our old man (fiery trials) that one can access the way of the tree of life!! 

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

In verse 9, the Levites being given to Aaron and his sons positively signifies the elect being given wholly to Jesus, our High Priest, to assist Him to subdue all things so that God may be all in all. 

1Co 15:25  For he (Jesus) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 
1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 
1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

In verse 10, Aaron and his sons were to be appointed to wait in the priestly office. Here Aaron and his sons represent the elect who are appointed to the priestly office to minister to the Lord. As indicated in verse 10, this privilege is given by the Lord even before the foundation of the world. In other words, it is not of him that wills or of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.  

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Num 3:11  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:12  And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; 
Num 3:13  Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.

As indicated in these verses, the Levites were to replace the firstborn of Israel. The reason why they were to replace the firstborn of Israel was that at the time of Passover in Egypt, all the firstborn were condemned. However, it was only the firstborn of Egypt who were slain. As a result of the Passover, all the firstborn of Israel were redeemed or saved or replaced by the Passover lamb who is Christ, our Lord, who came to serve. The firstborn therefore lost their position and were to be replaced by the Levites who were called to serve. This means that we, who have been redeemed by the Lord, are called to serve.

Mar 10:42  And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 
Mar 10:43  But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 
Mar 10:44  and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
Mar 10:45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Levites replacing the firstborn of the children of Israel is a foretaste of the fact that the Lord’s election is no longer dependent on a person’s pedigree or his or her birth. Paul made this clear when, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he made the statement that it is not one who is born a Jew that counts, but a Jew is a person who worships the Lord in truth and in spirit. 

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Num 3:14  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 
Num 3:15  Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them. 
Num 3:16  And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

As we saw in Numbers chapter 2, the Levites were not counted as part of the army of the Lord. The question is, why was Moses required to count the Levites later? The reason the Levites need to be counted is that since they are required to replace the firstborns, it was necessary that the number of Levites had to be equal to the number of the firstborn of Israel and that any shortage would then be redeemed. As we can see in the latter part of this chapter, the counting resulted in a difference of 273, the firstborn being more than the Levites.

Num 3:44  And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 
Num 3:45  “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
Num 3:46  And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,
Num 3:47  you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs),
Num 3:48  and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” (ESV)

What we need to understand is that the laborers of the Lord’s vineyard (the elect) are always fewer than those who parade themselves as apostles of the gospel but are actually the firstborn who are being replaced. Such apostles think they have the legitimate right to lead the Lord’s people but are false apostles, deceitful workers who have transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Mat 9:37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 
Mat 9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Num 3:17  And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
Num 3:18  And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
Num 3:19  And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 
Num 3:20  And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
Num 3:21  Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Num 3:22  Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
Num 3:23  The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

‘Levi’ means joined. The Levites are to be joined to the elect. In other words, they are to assist us to minister to the Lord. Jacob’s son Levi had three sons – Gershon, Kohath and Merari. ‘Gershon’ means expulsion; ‘Kohath’ signifies an assembly, and ‘Merari’ means bitter. The Levites therefore consist of the Gershonites, the Kohathites and the sons of Merari. Today’s study focuses on the Gershonites. As indicated, the name Gershon means expulsion. The meaning of the word ‘expulsion’ is the act of forcing someone or something out. Thus, the Gershonites are those who have been forced out of the commonwealth of the priesthood by the Lord. This is even made clear by their designated position of dwelling in relation to the tabernacle of the congregation. They were to dwell on the west side of the tabernacle. The west is where the sun (Christ) sets. What this means is that they will be visited by the Lord at the end of the ages through the lake of fire. They will be part of the multitude who are finally given the opportunity to know Christ. 

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

The number of Gershonites counted was 7,500. This suggests that at the completion of the ages, these Gershonites will receive grace through faith.

Num 3:24  And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael. 
Num 3:25  And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 3:26  And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

The name of the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites was ‘Eliasaph’ which means God has added. This implies that the Gershonites will be added to the Lord’s people in the fullness of time. The service the Gershonites were to render was to take care of the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the hangings for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the hangings of the courts, the hangings for the door of the court and its cords. As we can see, the hangings to the door of the tabernacle are where people enter. What this means is that their role in the plan of God is to bring in people to start their journey to know the Lord in Babylon. The Gershonites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon and are therefore those who use every means or effort to make a single proselyte. The Gershonites are also to take care of the covering of the tent. In other words, their focus is only on the superficial way of worshiping the Lord as they focus on cleaning the outside of the cup. No wonder they make a converted soul twice a child of hell. This is what our Lord Jesus has to say about the Gershonites or our brothers and sisters in Babylon:

Mat 23:15  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 

Mat 23:25  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 
Mat 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

We thank the Lord for His mercy towards us to be counted part of His royal priesthood in this life!! Amen!!