Numbers 4 (v4-20), Detailed Levitical Ministry

There are several areas of New Testament ministry that can be helped by a study of the book of Numbers.  Consider the following (with thanks to Dr. Mitchell):

·       In Church (or any) leadership Numbers reveals the strengths AND weaknesses of Moses’ character.  For example, his humility (12:3), faith in God (10:29-32), faithfulness to God (12:6-8), affection for his unruly people (11:2), his generosity (11:27-28), his despondency (11:10-15), and his anger (16:15).  I have always been encouraged by the study of Moses as God trains him in the matter of being a true Shepherd-Leader.

·       Numbers also reveals the weaknesses of the people and human nature in general.  Weaknesses would include dislike of restraint (16:12-14), murmuring and mutiny (11:1,4-6), vehement repentance and willful self-assertion (14:39-45), and weakness in temptation (25:1-5). (There are eight recorded murmurings in Numbers: 11:1; 11:4; 12:2; 14:1-4; 14:39,44; 16:41; 20:2 and 21:5.)

·       Numbers gives great illustrations of intercession and the effect of a righteous man’s prayer (e.g. 14:13-20).

·       Numbers shows the loving care of a faithful God.  Consider the manna and meat (Ch. 11), the bronze serpent (21:8f), protection against the attempted curses of Balaam (Ch. 22-24) and His rewards for faithfulness (14:24,30).

·       Numbers reveals God’s intimacy with those who love Him (12:6-8; 11:16f).

·       Numbers also reveals God’s judgment upon sin (11:1-3,33).

·       We should recognize the parallel between Israel’s and our own experience.  It moves from deliverance, to her self-confidence and zeal, to discouragement and defeat, and then to arrested progress and loss of zeal and power.  Someone said, Numbers is a “book of man’s ingratitude and God’s tender love.” 

Numbers 4 gives more detail on the responsibilities of the Levites.  One thing to note is that they worked from 30-50 years of age (v3).  They helped in other ways after that but not the work around the tabernacle/temple where missteps could be very serious.  You may remember that Jesus and John began their ministries at age 30.

Verses 4-14 are more detailed in the preparation for moving the tabernacle.  Again, the detail was essential as part of honoring God as holy and as the true and living God.  For example, the priests removed the veil and covered the Ark with it, making sure not to reveal or touch the Ark.  The priests then covered the other holy items and prepared the various tools that were used.  With these removed by the Kohathites then the Gershonites and Merarites could dismantle the rest.

Remember that all this special care was linked to the prominent message in Leviticus: I the LORD am holy!  And it facilitated what Israel was blessed to have: the Presence of God!