THE LEVITES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Numbers 1:47-54 / Keywords 1:52,53

52 The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. 53 The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony."

 

1. At the LORD’s command, the ancestral tribe of the Levites was not counted in the census. They would not serve in the army. The Levites were wholly dedicated to ministry activities related to the tabernacle. Any non-Levite who approached the tabernacle was to be put to death. The Israelites were not to be like worldly, military powers. More important than the size of their army was their commitment and faith in the LORD. Success belonged to God (Ps 33:16-18). Is your commitment and faith in the LORD at the center of all your endeavors?

 

2. This section also highlights the place where the Levites camped. The tabernacle was the place where God was present with his people. Inside the tabernacle was God’s covenant law. God and his word were literally the center of camp life. The Levites camped around the tabernacle. As the Levites did everything God commanded, they shielded the people from God’s wrath (52).

 

3. The Levites’ ministry looks forward to Jesus. In perfect obedience, Jesus obeyed his Father in every way (Jn 14:31b; Php 2:8). Through his death and resurrection, Jesus shields and saves anyone who believes in him from God’s wrath.

 

Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me from the wrath I deserve. Please be the focus of my life. Help me to be faithful to you.

One Word Jesus saves; be faithful to him