Numbers 1:47–53

The tribe of Levi is not included. The end of this chapter gives the reason. They were not to be among the warriors, but appointed over the tabernacle of testimony, over all the vessels, and what belonged to it. They were to bear it and their place was round about the tabernacle.

But why the Levites? Why was this tribe specially marked off from all the others, and set apart for so holy and elevated a service? Was there any special sanctity or goodness about them to account for their being so distinguished? Not by nature, and not by practice either. We can see this in the following words: "Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords… Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel." Such was Levi by nature and by practice — self-willed, fierce, and cruel. How remarkable that such a one should be singled out and brought into a place of such high and holy privilege! Surely we may say it was grace from first to last. It is the way of grace to take up the very worst cases. It stoops to the lowest depths and gathers its brightest trophies from there.

They were redeemed by blood, and counted emphatically to belong to the Lord. In place of Israel's firstborn He accepted the Levites. "They shall be mine."… So the Levites were identified with mercy — the great mercy that rescued Israel from the doom of Egypt and set them apart. That fitted them all the better for the service of the sanctuary. How can anyone take up the service of God without knowing that God has accepted him on the ground of redemption? Salvation precedes ministry.

The Levites were counted apart from the other tribes, because they had no property of their own as an inheritance. Also they were not required to go to war, but to serve the Lord. Therefore their census did not begin with those of the age of twenty years, but with one month old boys. Training in the things of God is to begin almost from birth. Training for physical warfare needs the strength of a grown man.

The very same persons are pictured in one aspect by the numbered tribes of Israel. In another aspect they are Levites, not numbered as yet, because they belong to God and to Him alone. This then is the double aspect… The natural mind is always prone to set the two things in opposition. It argues that the Levites were contrasted with the other tribes of Israel, so what each represents must hold a wholly different position now. This does not follow, and the reverse is true in fact; the types indicate different relations of the same persons.

In the centre of the camp stands the tent of meeting, with its Levite guard. The Levites were devoted to the sanctuary and surrounded it. They present the thought of consecration, and this is at the heart of all successful warfare. There is little said about Levi here: it is his glory to be overshadowed by the glory of God. And this is the moral character of all true consecration: what boasts of itself is not consecration at all.

God left the tribe of Levi out of this numbering altogether. Numbers 3 gives the reason. This whole tribe was to be set apart for the service of God, and the family chosen for the priesthood came from among them. This comes out in the closing verses of the first chapter. They were to serve the tabernacle. The rest of Israel camped at a set distance from it, while the Levites camped close around it, since it was in their charge.

God then numbered the Levites separately from the other tribes. This count included not only males twenty years old and over, but every male from one month old and up. This was not for military service but for service to God. They did not begin sanctuary service until thirty, and they served until fifty. Even so, they were trained with that service in view. This reminds us that the Lord Jesus Himself did not begin His public service until He was about thirty years of age (Luke 3:23). His earlier years were an important preparation for it.

But why the Levites? Was there any special holiness or goodness in them to explain why God marked off this tribe from all the others for such a holy and high service? Not by nature, and not by practice either, as these words show: "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 49). That was Levi by nature and by practice — self-willed, fierce, and cruel. How remarkable that God should single out such a tribe and bring it into a place of such high and holy privilege! Surely we may say it was grace from first to last. It is the way of grace to take up the very worst cases.

Numbers 3:12 uncovers the secret behind the special place of the Levites. God had chosen them "instead of all the firstborn." In Egypt, God had spared the firstborn of the Israelites on the basis of the blood of the Passover lamb. This was the price by which the firstborn had been redeemed. As a result they belonged to God. Now, this is the place God gave the Levites: He chose them instead of all the firstborn. A Levite would therefore regard himself as redeemed by God and so as God's possession.

The very same people who in one aspect are pictured by the numbered tribes of Israel are in another aspect Levites. They are not numbered as yet, because they belong to God and to Him alone... The natural mind is always prone to set the two things against each other. It concludes that, since the Levites were contrasted with the other tribes of Israel, what each of them stands for must hold a wholly different position now... The types show different relations of the same people. It does not matter whether we take the numbering of Israel or the absence of numbering of the Levites. Both are true of the Christian — not in the same aspect, of course, but equally true in distinct relationships.

God gave the Levites no inheritance in the land. The offerings made by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel — yes, the LORD Himself — were their inheritance, just as He told them. The Lord's workmen stood on different ground from the rest of His people. He called them to a special confidence in His provision for them and in His word about them. If they failed in this, could they wonder that their words had little power?

Also the tribe of Levi was completely excluded from this numbering. In Numbers 3 we get the reason for this. As a tribe they were to be set apart entirely for God's service. The family chosen for the priesthood came from among them. This fact indeed comes out in the closing verses of the first chapter. They were to serve the tabernacle. The rest of Israel pitched their tents at a set distance from it, while the Levites pitched theirs close around it, since it was in their charge.

The Levites were counted separately from the other tribes, because they had no property of their own as an inheritance. Also they were not required to go to war, but to serve the Lord. Therefore their census did not begin with those of the age of twenty years, but with one month old boys. Training in the things of God is to begin almost from birth. Training for physical warfare needs the strength of a grown man.

We are not only God's own people, each one of us counted by Himself as someone He relies on... but we also have to do with serving Him, and above all with the sanctuary. From this point of view, counting them like an army would be out of place. The aim is to give this service a character that is not of this earth.

The Levites were devoted to the sanctuary and camped around it. They present the thought of consecration, and this is at the heart of all successful warfare. The account says little about Levi here: it is his glory to be overshadowed by the glory of God. This is the character of all true consecration: anything that boasts of itself is not consecration at all.

In one aspect the very same people are pictured by the numbered tribes of Israel. In another aspect they are Levites, not numbered as yet, because they belong to God alone. This then is the double aspect... The natural mind is always ready to set the two things against each other. It sees that the Levites were contrasted with the other tribes of Israel, and concludes that what each one pictures must hold a wholly different position now. That does not follow. In fact the opposite is true: the types show different relations of the same people.

Was there any special holiness or goodness in them to explain why God marked them out? Not by nature, certainly, nor yet by practice... Such was Levi by nature and by practice — self-willed, fierce, and cruel. How remarkable that God should single out such a man and bring him into a place of such high and holy privilege! Surely we may say it was grace from first to last. It is the way of grace to take up the very worst cases.

He could take him out of his home, which held instruments of cruelty, and bring him into the tabernacle to handle the holy instruments and vessels there. This was grace — free, sovereign grace. Here is where we must look for the basis of all Levi's blessed and high service.

They were redeemed by blood, and counted as belonging in a special way to the Lord... The Levites were identified in this way with mercy — the great mercy that marked Israel out and rescued them from the doom of Egypt. That fitted them all the better for the service of the sanctuary. Who dares to take up the service of God without knowing that God has accepted him on the ground of redemption? Salvation precedes ministry.

We are not only God's own people, every one of us counted by Himself as those on whom He reckons. That holds whatever the march may be, and whoever we may have to fight while passing through the wilderness. But we also have to do with serving Him, and above all in reference to the sanctuary. From that point of view, counting them like an army would be out of place. The object is to stamp service with an unearthly character.

In one aspect the numbered tribes of Israel picture these very same people. In another aspect they are Levites, not numbered as yet, because they belong to God simply and only. This is the double aspect... It does not matter whether it is the numbering of Israel or the missing count of the Levites. Both are true of the Christian — not in the same aspect, of course, but just as true in distinct relationships.

God's eyes are too pure to look at evil, and He cannot look on wrongdoing. God could not come into Levi's secret, or be joined to his assembly. That was impossible... But He could bring Levi into His secret and unite him to His assembly. He could take him out of his home, which held instruments of cruelty, and bring him into the tabernacle to handle the holy instruments and vessels there. This was grace — free, sovereign grace. Here is where we must look for the basis of all Levi's blessed and elevated service.

A weighty service, for which they need to depend on the Priest. Indeed, they are wholly given to the service of the priests, for ministry belongs to those who worship. Its first and most pressing duty is to guard and care for the holy things they handle. We know that the tabernacle vessels set forth the truth of what Christ is in all His offices; and all ministry must watch over and preserve this.

This service is the carrying of the holy things through the wilderness. For us it pictures presenting Christ and the heavenly truths of Christianity in the world as we pass through it. It is true that these things are seen in travelling clothes, and only faith can know them as they really are, in their innermost reality. Yet this testimony is of the highest possible value, and God counts it so. If it pleases Him to go through the world in this way, He trusts Himself to the loving obedience of His people to carry Him through.

The Levites had to camp in the middle of the people's camp, right next to the tabernacle (Num. 2:17). Does this not show that the Levites were to have a special and constant sense of the presence of God? And their service for God came first, ahead of other concerns. If their service had to do with the tabernacle, they would live close to it.

The Levites are devoted to the sanctuary and surround it. They present the thought of consecration, and this is at the heart of all successful warfare. Little is said about Levi here: it is his glory to be overshadowed by the glory of God.

The numbering did not include the tribe of Levi. The Lord had already told Moses that the Levites would be appointed to care for the tabernacle and its furnishings, both while it stayed in one place and while it was on the move. They were to take the tabernacle down when it was time to move, and set it up again at each destination (v.51). No one else was allowed any part in this work, under penalty of death.

The very same persons who in one aspect are pictured by the numbered tribes of Israel are in another aspect Levites. They are not numbered as yet, because they belong to God simply and only. When we think of a Christian, we have to remember the words of the Spirit of God in the New Testament: "All things are yours." Whether it is the numbering of Israel or the absence of numbering of the Levites, both are true of the Christian — not in the same aspect, but equally true in distinct relationships.

Such was Levi by nature and by practice — self-willed, fierce, and cruel. How remarkable that such a one should be singled out and brought into a place of such high and holy privilege! Surely we may say it was grace from first to last. It is the way of grace to take up the very worst cases. It stoops to the lowest depths and gathers up its brightest trophies from there.

And oh what a marvellous contrast between Levi's position by nature and his position by grace! Between the instruments of cruelty and the vessels of the sanctuary!

The Levites are separated from among the people to be the special servants of the sanctuary. From among them the house of Aaron is separated in the same way, to be the only priesthood of that sanctuary. Israel was not to reach after the services of the Levites, nor were the Levites to reach after the priesthood of the family of Aaron. God was to be sanctified in those who drew near to Him, and to be approached in His holiness in the due and appointed order.

All ministry in the house of God, whether in Old or New Testament times, is of divine appointment. There is no such thing recognised in Scripture as human authority in appointing to the ministry. Neither is there such a thing as a self-appointed ministry. None but God can make or appoint a minister of any sort or description.

Priests and Levites pitched their tents around the tabernacle. The people had to stay on the fringe of things, because there was always fear of wrath coming on them, as stated in verse 53 of Numbers 1. The whole system was evidently designed to show that "the way into the holy places is not yet opened" (Heb. 9:8).

If He took them to be His servants, He left it to no one, not even to Moses, to suggest what their work was to be. And the same principle is seen in God's arrangement in the Church of God. "God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers…" The Spirit, we read, apportions to each one individually as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11, 28). Would that this were more remembered.

In one very real sense all believers today are priests and all are Levites. As priests they present acceptable sacrifices to God. As Levites they serve the needs of people. As the priests are worshippers, so the Levites have the privilege of ministry, but the two functions are distinct.

Each had to know his post and keep it — to know his standard and stay by it. That is how they moved on together. That is how they made progress, did their work, and carried on their warfare. The Benjaminite had his post, and the Ephraimite had his. Neither was to interfere with the other or cross his path. So it was with all the tribes. Each had his pedigree, and each had his post; and neither was according to their own thoughts. All was of God. He gave the pedigree, and He assigned the standard. There was no need to compare one with another, and no ground for jealousy. Each had his place to fill and his work to do, and there was work enough and room enough for all. There was the greatest possible variety, and yet the most perfect unity.

As a nation they were the people of God. Their gathering centre in the wilderness was the tabernacle, God's dwelling place. The blessing of each Israelite lay in keeping in touch with the tabernacle, and in taking his appointed place among his own tribe. God appointed that place — east, west, north, or south of the tabernacle. He was not left to follow his own choice or inclination.

Nothing could be arranged more beautifully. Four camps of three tribes each formed a perfect square, and each side of the square showed its own standard… The God of the armies of Israel knew how to set His troops in order. It would be a great mistake to suppose that God's warriors were not ordered by the most perfect system of military tactics… We can be sure that the camp of Israel was ordered and supplied in the most perfect way. The reason is the simplest and most conclusive of all: the hand of God ordered and supplied it.

The first thing that catches our attention as we read the book is sweet and precious beyond all words. God has His people numbered and gathered around Himself. He dwelt in the camp — "in the midst of which I dwell." Could love do more? Impossible! The twelve tribes guarded the tabernacle of the Lord… But one thing gave the camp in the wilderness its unity, strength, and glory: the presence of God in His tabernacle, at the centre of His chosen people. A blessed picture of good things to come — of Christ as the centre, life, and glory of His Church now!

Priests and Levites pitched their tents around the tabernacle. The people had to stay on the fringe of things, because they always had to fear wrath coming upon them, as verse 53 of Numbers 1 states. The whole system had one clear design: to show that "the way into the holy places is not yet opened" (Hebrews 9:8).

We as Christians are very apt to jostle one another. In fact we are sure to do it, unless each of us pursues his own divinely appointed line of work. We say "divinely appointed," and would press the word. We have no right to choose our own work… God has His quarrymen, His stone-squarers, and His masons. The work progresses by each man attending diligently to his own work. If all were quarrymen, where would the stone-squarers be?

The first thing that catches our attention in reading the book is sweet and precious to the heart beyond all words. God has His people numbered and gathered around Himself. He dwelt in the camp — "in the midst of which I dwell." Could love do more? Impossible! The twelve tribes guarded the tabernacle of the Lord. The Levites camped right around the court. Moses, Aaron, and the priests guarded the entrance by which people came to God. The camp was arranged in this way, all facing the tabernacle, and people think it measured at least twelve miles around.

For the time being, a tent was all He would use. But that tent was the tent of meeting — not only where Israel was to meet, but where God was to meet them. It was also called the tabernacle of testimony. In its innermost room lay the ark, and the ark held the tables that bore witness to what God required from man.

They are to be the bodyguard of the divine King. The priests go in to God to perform their intercessory service on behalf of the people. In the same way, the Levites keep the people from the wrath that would follow if a stranger forced his way into the tabernacle of God. They carry its holy things through the desert on all their journeys. They are in this way the distinct types of the ministry that goes from God to man, as priesthood goes from man to God.

All the people were redeemed, and the firstborn were God's in a special way. But He chose the Levites and gave them to Aaron and to his sons, to do the service of the children of Israel in the sanctuary. This was so that God would not have to deal with the people in judgment because any of them came near the tabernacle of the congregation. So on no plea or pretext were any of Israel, apart from the tribe of Levi, to come near to the tabernacle. Now this instruction did not come after someone had tried it and a terrible disaster had followed. God gave it, and Moses announced it, as the provision the Lord made to avoid the very thing that must otherwise have happened.

Priests and Levites pitched their tents around the tabernacle. The people had to remain on the fringe of things, because there was always the fear of wrath coming upon them, as stated in verse 53 of Numbers 1. The whole system was designed to show that "the way into the holy places is not yet opened" (Heb. 9:8).

God could not come into Levi's secret, or be joined to his assembly. That was impossible. God could have nothing to do with self-will, fierceness, and cruelty. But He could bring Levi into His secret, and unite him to His assembly. He could take him out of his home, which held instruments of cruelty, and bring him into the tabernacle to handle the holy instruments and vessels there. This was grace — free, sovereign grace. Here is where we must look for the basis of all Levi's blessed and elevated service.

As men of war, we are called to fight. As priests, we have the privilege of worship. But as Levites, we are responsible to serve. Our service is to carry through this dreary desert what the tabernacle stood for, and the tabernacle stood for Christ.