Numbers 4:21-49  The Duties of the Levites – Part 3

[Study Aired May 22, 2023]

Num 4:21  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 4:22  Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;
Num 4:23  From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 4:24  This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
Num 4:25  And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:26  And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.
Num 4:27  At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. 
Num 4:28  This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 
Num 4:29  As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
Num 4:30  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 4:31  And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof, 
Num 4:32  And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden. 
Num 4:33  This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 
Num 4:34  And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers, 
Num 4:35  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation: 
Num 4:36  And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 
Num 4:37  These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 
Num 4:38  And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers, 
Num 4:39  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:40  Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty. 
Num 4:41  These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD. 
Num 4:42  And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
Num 4:43  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:44  Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred. 
Num 4:45  These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 
Num 4:46  All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
Num 4:47  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:48  Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore. 
Num 4:49  According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses. 

Overview

The study defines the services to be rendered by the Levites – Gershonites, Kohathites and the families of Merari, when the camp is setting out, that is, when the Israelites were moving from one place to another. We must remember that Israel’s movement in the wilderness was dictated by the pillar of a cloud which leads them from place to place by day and a pillar of fire by night to give them light to travel by night. 

Exo 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Neh 9:19  Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

Both the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire represent Christ and the fire of His words. This age is regarded as one long night, and it is those who are guided by the pillar of fire (that is those who are being judged) who are being given the light of His words to navigate their way through this wilderness of life. 

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

In a sense, the movement of the Israelites in the wilderness under the guidance of the pillar of cloud and fire symbolizes how the kingdom of heaven is being built over the ages as the word of the Lord (the pillar of cloud and fire) goes forth. As we know, the Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon, and as we shall see later in the study, they play an integral part in the building of the kingdom of heaven. This is an example of what the Lord says regarding the work of our brothers and sisters in Babylon in the building of the kingdom of heaven:

Mat 13:31  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 
Mat 13:32  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Mat 13:33  Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 
Mat 13:34  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 
Mat 13:35  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

The mustard seed growing to become a tree, where all kinds of birds lodged in its branches, tells us about the negative aspect of the growth of the kingdom of heaven. The birds represent the devil or the evil one and his messengers, who make the assembly of our brothers and sisters in Babylon, a synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

The woman who hid three measures of meal to cause the whole meal to be leavened represents the harlot woman who represents Babylon. The whole meal becoming leaven implies that the word of the Lord has been corrupted with false doctrines. As Jesus said in the parable, this is all part of the building of the kingdom of heaven for the sake of the elect. That is why Jesus forbade His disciples by saying that he that is not against us is for us. 

Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Luk 9:49  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
Luk 9:50  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Paul reiterated the point Jesus made by saying that some preach the good news out of envy and strife. However, whether the word is preached in pretense, or in truth, the kingdom of heaven is advancing!

Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 
Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Wow!! How unsearchable is the wisdom of God who uses both good and evil to accomplish His purpose!!

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Num 4:21  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 4:22  Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;
Num 4:23  From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

As indicated in the previous study, there is an age requirement for one to do the work of the Lord regarding the tabernacle of the congregation. To serve as a Levite – a Gershonite, Kohathites or from the families of Merari, one has to be between the ages of thirty and fifty. In a positive sense, one has to be spiritually mature to do the work of the Lord as the ages specified refer to the “golden years” of our lives where we are mature and have the necessary strength to do all kinds of work. The number 30 signifies the time we are spiritually mature as we have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Our spiritual maturity involves going through fiery trials as we see Joseph go through trials to become Prime Minister of Egypt at the age 30. David also became king at the age of 30 years. The number fifty refers to the liberty we have in Christ as we become spiritually mature. This liberty is about our freedom from bondage to sin.

Gen 41:46  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

2Sa 5:4  David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

As we recall from the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ waited until He was thirty years old before He began His ministry or work of service to God. Although He was a son, He learned obedience by the things He suffered and became the author of salvation to the elect first and then to the rest of the world.

Luk 3:23  And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 5:10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Num 4:24  This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
Num 4:25  And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
Num 4:26  And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.

In serving the Lord, the clan of the Gershonites were required to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the covering of the tent of meeting and the covering of the badgers’ skin as they journeyed through the wilderness. They were also to carry the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate. We can see that these Gershonites’ service to the Lord are basically superficial. There was nothing of the spirit involved in their service to the Lord. The items they were supposed to carry were basically the coverings of the tabernacle which is what the people of Israel see when the tabernacle is erected. In the Bible, coverings or clothing signify righteousness. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

There are two kinds of righteousness – the righteousness which is self-made and that which is imputed by the Lord.  These Gershonites, or our brothers and sisters in Babylon, propagate self-righteousness which is that of the law. As the scripture says, this self-righteousness is iniquity before the Lord.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Because these Gershonites, or our brothers and sisters in Babylon, do a lot of work in transporting their own righteousness according to the law across the world, they think they have the right standing with the Lord but do not know that they are workers of iniquity.  When we were in Babylon, we also thought that we have the right standing with the Lord, but by the mercies of the Lord, we have renounced our self-righteousness in favor of righteousness which is by faith in Christ Jesus as we exited Babylon.

Mat 7:21  Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Num 4:27  At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. 
Num 4:28  This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

These verses are to remind us that the work of the Gershonites, or our brothers and sisters in Babylon, are all ordained by the Lord. Aaron and his sons here represent our Lord Jesus Christ, who is working all things after the counsel of His will.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

In verse 28, the son of Aaron, Ithamar, was chosen to be responsible for the work of the sons of Gershon. Itharmar 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 and 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.

The sons of Gershon working under Ithamar signifies that all the works of the Gershonites are for the sake of the elect. 

Joh 4:37  And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
Joh 4:38  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Num 4:29  As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
Num 4:30  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.

As we have indicated earlier in this study, being thirty years old and above means being spiritually mature to serve the Lord. This is the requirement to serve the Lord. However, in Babylon, this is not the case as children are the ones leading the Lord’s children.  The Bible has a lot to warn us about children who try to serve as they assume leadership of the Lord’s people. This is what happens:

Isa 3:4  And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
Isa 3:5  And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

Isa 3:12  As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Num 4:31  And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
Num 4:32  And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
Num 4:33  This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

The service to be offered by the sons of Merari involves carrying the frames of the tabernacle with its bars. pillars and bases. In other words, the sons of Merari or the Levites’ work in the kingdom of heaven is related to the beginning aspect of building the kingdom of heaven with the Lord having laid the foundation. However, after the foundation has been laid, how we build on it is the issue. The work of the Levites is related to the wood, hay and stubble which cannot stand the test of fire, which is judgment. As we have all experienced, it is after we leave Babylon that our judgment begins resulting in the burning of the chaff which we have used in building on the foundation of Christ. This implies that the initial work of the sons of Merari or Babylon as we begin our relationship with Christ is what gives the Lord the occasion to come and judge us as we leave Babylon.

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 
Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The fact that Ithamar, who represents the elect, was to supervise the work of the sons of Merari is to let us know that all the work being done by our Babylonian brothers and sisters are for our sake.

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Num 4:34  And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers, 
Num 4:35  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation: 
Num 4:36  And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 
Num 4:37  These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

The number of Kohathites who were from thirty years old and up to fifty years, who were counted by Moses and Aaron, was 2,750. This number implies that the complete number of the elect (significance of the number 7) must be spiritually mature to be counted for the service of the Lord which entails being witnesses of Christ (the significance of the number 2). This is achieved by grace through faith through the chastening rod of our Lord Jesus Christ (the significance of the number 5).

Isa 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Num 4:38  And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers, 
Num 4:39  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:40  Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.
Num 4:41  These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.

The number of the sons of Gershon who were qualified to serve was 2,630. What we are being made aware of is that from every tribe and kindred (the significance of the number 6) the Lord is selecting His witnesses (the significance of the number 2) to become spiritually mature through the process of the Lord’s judgment (the significance of the number 3). We all through tribulation (judgment) must enter into the service of God’s kingdom.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Num 4:42  And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, 
Num 4:43  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 
Num 4:44  Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred. 
Num 4:45  These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

The sons of Merari numbered 3,200. Again, it stresses the point that to become part of His witnesses in this world, we must become spiritually mature through the Lord’s judgment of our old man. In other words, to become a witness of the Lord requires us to go through the seven plagues (complete judgment  of our old man).

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Num 4:46  All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
Num 4:47  From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,
Num 4:48  Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.
Num 4:49  According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

In total, the number of Levites who were counted was 8,580. We are called and chosen from the tribe of Levites (Babylon) to come and serve the Lord. It is by grace through faith that we are called and chosen to birth the new man within us who is after the image of Christ (significance of the number 8). As indicated, this grace is the chastening work of the Lord which results in the birth of the new man.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching (The Greek word used is Paideuo which means chasten) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

May the Lord continue to help us to become witnesses of Christ as we see the day approaching!! Amen!!