Numbers 1-3

Census! Heard that word lately? If you live in America, that's almost all you've heard about (besides the health care bill) over the last few months.
Numbers chapter 1 begins with the first Census of Israel. In the Hebrew Bible, this book is entitled "In the Wilderness." The name "Numbers" comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament and refers specifically to the census figures given in two census reports; Num. 7-1:2-46 and 26:2-51.

The content of the Book of Numbers is diverse, moving back and forth between lists and laws and narratives, making it hard to identify any single outline or structure. The book begins in the same vein as Leviticus, with more divine instructions from Mount Sinai, still stressing priestly matters. These laws conclude in ch. 10 and the Israelites set out for the Promised Land.
The people needed organization in order to reach that "land flowing with milk and honey." and God instructed Moses to take a census so that the people would be organized both for travel and for warfare.


The First Census of Israel (1:1-54)
God chose one man from each tribe to be in charge of getting his entire tribe together and counting the men who were 20 years and older (old enough to go to war) (1:1-4). God gave Moses the specific names of the men that were to be chosen from each of the 12 tribes to carry out the census (1:5-44).
There was one exception, the tribe of Levi was not numbered; they were the tribe chosen to be over the operations of the tabernacle (1:47-54).
The number of men in the other 11 tribes were 603,550 (1:45-46).

The Tribes and Leaders by Armies (2:1-34)
Each of the tribes was assigned a section of the camp.
These armies were designed to surround the camp for the purpose of sounding the alarm if an enemy approached from any side. The entire camp was surrounded by the various tribal armies.

The Sons of Aaron (3:1-13)
Census of the Levites Commanded (3:14-39)
This census was for every male from the age of one month and above (vs.14).
The Levites camp was located to the east in front of the tabernacle (vs.38-39)
There were 22,000 of them.

Levites Dedicated Instead of the First Born (3:40-51)
Offerings were taken from all the people and given to the Levites for the
operation of the tabernacle, this was a ceremonial offering for redemption (3:49-51).

Duties of the Sons of Kohath (4:1-20)
This family was part of the Levite tribe. Those from age 30 to 50 were counted. These men were given very specific duties concerning the taking down and carrying of specific parts of the tabernacle to get it ready to be moved. (vs.4-15)
They were to wrap and carry the "most holy things" (4:4)
They would die if they did not prepare and move things according to the Lord's commands (4:17-19).

Duties of the Sons of Gershon (4:21-28)
These men ages 30 to 50 were responsible for the curtains, the coverings, the screen for the door, the screen for the gate, hangings of the court, and all other things made of fabric and skins (4:25-26).

Duties of the Sons of Merari (4:29-33)
These men 30 to 50 were to carry the boards of the tabernacle, it's bars, its pillars, its sockets, and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, and some of the furnishings (4:31-32).

Census of the Levites (4:34-49)
The Levite tribe was responsible for the packing up and moving of the tabernacle. We must remember that the tabernacle was made to be put up and taken down. Though it was a mammoth task, it could be done. Not only was it a large undertaking, but it was also very valuable with everything being covered in bronze or pure gold. If you remember our past study; each one of the furnishings was built with sockets and rings so that poles could be inserted to allow them to be carried. According to the above passages, these families of the tribe of the Levites were given commands directly from God, by Moses, to carefully pack and carry each part of the tabernacle to the next leg of their journey. If they followed God's direction, and worked together, a mammoth task became possible. What a great lesson here for us, the body of Christ. We have a mammoth task ahead of us. We are trying to reach a lost and dieing world.
We must work together, be organized and prepared for "travel and warfare".
The next leg of our journey is reaching those who need a Savior and as far as the warfare is concerned; you can be certain that Satan will be waging war against us, all the way!!