Numbers 1:47-54
“But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” (Numbers 1:47-51)
The twelve tribes listed as being counted did not include the tribe of Levi. Jacob, (Israel) had promised Joseph that he would get an additional portion because of his deliverance for his family, in Genesis 48:21-22. “And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”
The tribe of Levi was never given a separate country, just property in each of the other tribes. References to the twelve tribes refer to the twelve tribes who owned their own state or country. Outsiders would not recognize the Levites as a separate tribe. As the priests, having a separate country would have enabled the tribe of Levi to seize power over the other tribes. By not giving them a power base to take over, God limited their influence. Because only Levites could be priests, the other tribes could not take control of the religion for their own purposes, providing a measure of stability and protection from corruption.
The tribe of Levi was to be focused on helping the other tribes to worship God, rather than on conquest or business affairs. As such they were not included as part of the military force.
“And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.” (Numbers 1:52-54)
Following the census, each tribe was grouped around their own standard, beginning to coalesce into what would become essentially twelve states. Each tribe would have a particular area in relation to the tabernacle. The Levites were to camp around the tabernacle, making them readily available to the people so they were not tempted to bypass God’s instructions and bring judgment on Israel.
Like the Christian today, the Levites were not members of the country they lived in, and were to continually be ready to assist others in their efforts to know and worship God. Rather than producing everything for themselves, they were to depend on God to provide their needs, although they were free to work their own fields and businesses when not needed at the Tabernacle. They had to give up the freedom to live where they wanted and do as they pleased in order to fulfill their calling.
Sadly, many Christians today, even pastors and missionaries are not willing to make such a commitment. They become like Eli’s sons, in I Samuel 2:12-17, demanding what they want rather than what God provides. “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh, unto all the Israelites that came thither. Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.”
It is that attitude which has turned many away from the church and Christianity in our day, just as it did in Eli’s day. The attitude is Satanic in origin.
“But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” (Numbers 1:47-51)
The twelve tribes listed as being counted did not include the tribe of Levi. Jacob, (Israel) had promised Joseph that he would get an additional portion because of his deliverance for his family, in Genesis 48:21-22. “And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”
The tribe of Levi was never given a separate country, just property in each of the other tribes. References to the twelve tribes refer to the twelve tribes who owned their own state or country. Outsiders would not recognize the Levites as a separate tribe. As the priests, having a separate country would have enabled the tribe of Levi to seize power over the other tribes. By not giving them a power base to take over, God limited their influence. Because only Levites could be priests, the other tribes could not take control of the religion for their own purposes, providing a measure of stability and protection from corruption.
The tribe of Levi was to be focused on helping the other tribes to worship God, rather than on conquest or business affairs. As such they were not included as part of the military force.
“And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.” (Numbers 1:52-54)
Following the census, each tribe was grouped around their own standard, beginning to coalesce into what would become essentially twelve states. Each tribe would have a particular area in relation to the tabernacle. The Levites were to camp around the tabernacle, making them readily available to the people so they were not tempted to bypass God’s instructions and bring judgment on Israel.
Like the Christian today, the Levites were not members of the country they lived in, and were to continually be ready to assist others in their efforts to know and worship God. Rather than producing everything for themselves, they were to depend on God to provide their needs, although they were free to work their own fields and businesses when not needed at the Tabernacle. They had to give up the freedom to live where they wanted and do as they pleased in order to fulfill their calling.
Sadly, many Christians today, even pastors and missionaries are not willing to make such a commitment. They become like Eli’s sons, in I Samuel 2:12-17, demanding what they want rather than what God provides. “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh, unto all the Israelites that came thither. Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.”
It is that attitude which has turned many away from the church and Christianity in our day, just as it did in Eli’s day. The attitude is Satanic in origin.
No comments:
Post a Comment