Numbers 4-6 Serving, Separating, and Blessing

Thoughts

Numbers 4

The Tabernacle, although finished, is a mobile sanctuary, designed to be assembled, disassembled, and transported whenever the camp moves.

Census of Levite men ages 30–50 

Duties of the Kohathites (Where Aaron was from)

• Responsible for carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle (Ark, table of showbread, lampstand, altar)
• Aaron and his sons must cover and prepare all holy items before the Kohathites come to carry them
• Warning: Kohathites must not look at or touch the holy things or they will die
• “And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil, with the oversight of the whole tabernacle and all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels.”

Duties of the Gershonites 

• Responsible for transporting the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle
• Work overseen by Ithamar, son of Aaron

Duties of the Merarites 

• Responsible for carrying the structural elements of the Tabernacle (e.g., boards, bars, pillars, bases)
• Work also overseen by Ithamar

Kohathites: 2,750 men

Gershonites: 2,630 men

Merarites: 3,200 men

Total: 8,580 Levites appointed for service and transport of the Tabernacle

Numbers 5

God tells Moses to remove unclean individuals from the camp until they are clean again.

If someone  wrongs another and is guilty of sin

• Confess the sin
• Make restitution plus 20% of the value
• If no family is available, the restitution goes to the priest

Test for an Unfaithful Wife : husband who suspects his wife of adultery but has no proof

• The priest performs a ritual involving holy water, dust from the Tabernacle floor, and a curse written and washed into the water
• The woman drinks the “bitter water”:
  • If she’s guilty: physical affliction (womb shrivels, abdomen swells)
  • If she’s innocent: she will remain healthy and able to bear children

“makes your thigh rot/fall away” ירך (yarekh) = thigh or loins (sometimes a euphemism for reproductive organs

Numbers 6

The Nazirite Vow : Any man or woman can take a voluntary vow to dedicate themselves to the Lord

• Must abstain from wine and all grape products
• Must not cut their hair for the duration of the vow
• Must avoid contact with dead bodies, even family members

Nazarite Vows in Bible: Most famous is Samson (lifelong). John the Baptist resembles a Nazarite and it is mentioned that Paul shaved his head due to a vow (temporary)

If the Nazirite becomes ceremonially unclean the vow is reset, sacrifices must be made

When the vow ends, they offer sacrifices (burnt, sin, and peace offerings). They then shave their head and burns the hair as part of the offering

God instructs Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel. God places His name upon the people, and promises to bless them

Questions

Why did Levite men start at 30 and the rest of the tribes 20?

Would a similar ceremony be performed for cheating husbands?

Would there be a punishment for husbands who kept making their wives go through this ceremony (overbearing jealous hsbands).

Application

A theme I see throughout these chapters is “divinity”. The rules and regulations for serving his Tabernacle, the steps towards cleansing sin, and vows to God. Before Christ, there were sacred boundaries in getting close to God. God’s overwhelmingly holiness demands purity and should never be taken lightly. How much do I take for granted that I through Jesus have direct access to Him? The standards haven’t changed, but we have now been redeemed. Such a gift should be on my mind 24/7, but I seem to fall into the rhythms of everyday life and forget what I have been given.