Year in the Bible: Week 9
47 But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. 48 For the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. 50 But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. Numbers 1: 47-50 ESV
This week we began in the book of Numbers, continuing the story of the Israelites time in the wilderness at the base of Mt. Sinai. God instructs Moses to take the first census of the people after the exodus from Egypt, all tribes except the tribe of Levi. God lays out specific placement for the tribes in their camp, with the Tabernacle of Meeting at the center. The Levites are appointed over the Tabernacle, and have a place nearest it at the center. God is giving a practical assignment to bring order and prepare them for the move from their initial campsite.
As children of God today, we can reflect on the ways God continues to bring order to our lives. The gift of the Holy Spirit is with us, and God still speaks. Intentional time in prayer opens our hearts and minds to hear from God. Reading the bible daily builds a spiritual habit of deepening your knowledge and understanding as you grow in your faith. Time in community with other believers keeps us accountable and encourages us to live out what we read in scripture. These three habits empower us to keep ourselves and our lives in order.
These three daily habits empower us to keep ourselves and our lives in order.
49 According to the commandment of the Lord they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the Lord commanded Moses. Numbers 4:49 NKJV
In chapter 4, we see that God now calls for the census to be taken of the Levites, but there is an assignment attached to each number. This census is different from the first. God gives Moses the duties assigned for the Levites before they are counted in the census. The clans within the tribe of Levi, the Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarities, are all given an attached assignment in the transporting of the Tabernacle.
- The Sons of Kohath are assigned to the highest duty and care for the most holy things in the Tabernacle.
- The Sons of Gershon are assigned to carry all the external coverings for the Tabernacle.
- The Sons of Merari are assigned the structural pieces that make up the Tabernacle.
Every member of the tribe of Levi knows their role to serve the Tabernacle. Without them doing their part, the Tabernacle could not be deconstructed and moved with the people on their way to the promise land.
This is such a beautiful picture of the Church today. God gives each of us a different “assignment” and calls us to serve him in different ways. Everyone who serves in the Church is a vital part of its service, and carries forward it’s mission. Escaping Egypt was not the final destination for the Israelites, the promise land is ahead and it is almost time to move.