Introduction (Continued)

2. BREAKDOWN OF BOOK (Continued)
6. Theme
1. Genesis gives the story of the creation and fall of man.  Genesis ends with a dead man in a coffin in Egypt.  Typical of us being dead in trespasses and sins.
2. Exodus is the story of the redemption of God’s people due to their faith in the shed blood of a Passover lamb.  Typical of our redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Passover lamb.
3. Leviticus is a book of instruction.  We find out much about the sacrifices required by God to maintain a right relationship with Him.
4. Numbers is a book that deals with the walk of the Israelites in the wilderness.  We learn that we are dealing with things on “this side Jordan”.  It is a book that deals with our walk with God and His providential care for us.
7. Divisions
1. The preparation of God (Numbers 1-Numbers 10)
2. The failure and faithlessness of man  (Numbers 11- Numbers 14)
3. The judgment of God (Numbers 14-20)
4. The faithfulness of God (Numbers 21-36)
3. SETTING
1. Time
1. Numbers
1. Beginning – 1st day, 2nd month, 2nd year after they were come out of Egypt
2. Ending – between
1. 1st day, 5th month, 40th year (Numbers 33:38And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
   See All...)
2. 1st day, 11th month, 40th year (Deuteronomy 1:3And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
   See All...)
2. Comparatively
1. Exodus ends with the 1st day, 1st month and 2nd year (Exodus 40:17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
   See All...)
2. Leviticus is apparently squeezed in between the two.
2. Place
1. The Book of Numbers begins and ends in the wilderness.  It is a story of failure on man’s part to believe God and follow His commands.
2. Begins – “in the wilderness of Sinai (Numbers 1:1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
   See All...)
3. Ends – “in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho” (Numbers 36:13These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
   See All...)
4. NEW TESTAMENT ADMONITION
1. Stephen’s last message to Israel (Acts 7:34-44 [34] I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. [35] This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. [36] He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. [37] This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. [38] This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: [39] To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, [40] Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. [41] And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. [42] Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? [43] Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. [44] Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
   See All...)
2. We are not to be ignorant of the wilderness wandering (1 Corinthians 10:1-5 [1] Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat; [4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
   See All...).
3. These things were written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:6-12 [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
   See All...).
4. The dangers of unbelief (Hebrews 3:15-19 [15] While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. [16] For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. [17] But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? [19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
   See All...)
5. We are to be in remembrance of God’s wrath on unbelief (Jude 1:5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
   See All...).

Chapter 1

All That Were Able to Go Forth to War

1. GOD'S OPENING REMARKS (Numbers 1:1-19 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, [2] Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; [3] From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. [4] And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. [5] And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. [6] Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. [7] Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. [8] Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. [9] Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. [10] Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. [11] Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. [12] Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. [13] Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. [14] Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. [15] Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. [16] These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. [17] And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: [18] And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. [19] As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
   See All...)
1. The Time and Place (Numbers 1:1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
   See All...)
1. In the wilderness of Sinai
2. The 1st day of the 2nd month in the 2nd year after they were come out of Egypt
2. The Command (Numbers 1:2-4 [2] Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; [3] From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. [4] And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
   See All...)
1. Take ye the sum.
1. Of all the congregation
2. After their families
3. By the house of their fathers
4. With the number of their names
5. Every male by their polls
6. From 20 years old and upward
7. All that are able to go forth to war (Note:  the phrases “all that are able to go forth to war” and “all that were able to go forth to war” are found 14 times in the 1st chapter.)
1. The call to prepare for war (Numbers 1:2-4 [2] Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; [3] From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. [4] And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
   See All...)
1. Number the soldiers.
2. Preparation occurs before war
1. They had not seen war.
2. War doesn’t show up for quite sometime.
8. The qualifications for the soldier
1. Maturity – 20 years old and upward (Numbers 1:2-3 [2] Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; [3] From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
   See All...)
2. No unfinished business with God (Deuteronomy 20:5And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
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3. A mind focused on the battle (Deuteronomy 20:6-7 [6] And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. [7] And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
   See All...)
4. Faith in God and courage for the battle (Deuteronomy 20:8And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
   See All...)
9. The call to war (Deuteronomy 20:10-16 [10] When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. [11] And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. [12] And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: [13] And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: [14] But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. [15] Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations. [16] But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
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1. Declare war on the enemy (Deuteronomy 20:11-12 [11] And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. [12] And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
   See All...).
2. Put the sword to use (Deuteronomy 20:13And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
   See All...).
3. Destroy every part of its influence (Deuteronomy 20:16But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
   See All...).
2. With you there shall be a man of every tribe.
3. The Heads of the Tribes (Numbers 1:5-19 [5] And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. [6] Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. [7] Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. [8] Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. [9] Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. [10] Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. [11] Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. [12] Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. [13] Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. [14] Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. [15] Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. [16] These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. [17] And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: [18] And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. [19] As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
   See All...)  Note:  The very meaning of the names of these heads should have driven them to faithfulness to God.
1. The tribe of Reuben = Elizur son of Shedeur (Numbers 1:5And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
   See All...) - Elizur means “God is a rock”.
2. The tribe of Simeon = Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai (Numbers 1:6Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
   See All...) - Shelumiel means “God is peace”.
3. The tribe of Judah = Nahshon son of Amminadab (Numbers 1:7Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
   See All...)
4. The tribe of Issachar = Nethaneel son of Zuar (Numbers 1:8Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
   See All...) - Nethaneel means “God gives”.
5. The tribe of Zebulun = Eliab son of Helon (Numbers 1:9Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.
   See All...) - Eliab means “God is father”.
6. The children of Joseph (Numbers 1:10Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
   See All...)
1. The tribe of Ephraim = Elishama son of Ammihud -   Elishama means “God is hearer”.
2. The tribe of Manasseh = Gamaliel son of Pedahzur - Gamaliel means “reward of God”.
7. The tribe of Benjamin = Abidan son of Gideoni (Numbers 1:11Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
   See All...)
8. The tribe of Dan = Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai (Numbers 1:12Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
   See All...)
9. The tribe of Asher = Pagiel son of Ocran (Numbers 1:13Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.
   See All...) - Pagiel means “God’s intervention”.
10. The tribe of Gad = Eliasaph son of Deuel (Numbers 1:14Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
    See All...) - Eliasaph means “God is gatherer”.
11. The tribe of Naphtali = Ahira son of Enan (Numbers 1:15Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
    See All...)
12. Other statements concerning the heads Numbers 1:17And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:
    See All...)
1. Renowned of the congregation
2. Princes of the tribes of their fathers
3. Heads of thousands in Israel
13. Order of authority
1. Moses and Aaron
2. The twelve princes
2. THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE (Numbers 1:20-46 [20] And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [21] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. [22] Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [23] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. [24] Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [25] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. [26] Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [27] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. [28] Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [29] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. [30] Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [31] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. [32] Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [33] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. [34] Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [35] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. [36] Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [37] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. [38] Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [39] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. [40] Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [41] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. [42] Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [43] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. [44] These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. [45] So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; [46] Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
   See All...)
1. The Tribe of Reuben = 46,500 (Numbers 1:20-21 [20] And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [21] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
   See All...)
2. The Tribe of Simeon = 59,300 (Numbers 1:22-23 [22] Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [23] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
   See All...)
3. The Tribe of Gad = 45,650 (Numbers 1:24-25 [24] Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [25] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
   See All...)
4. The Tribe of Judah = 74,600 (Numbers 1:26-27 [26] Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [27] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
   See All...)
5. The Tribe of Issachar = 54,400 (Numbers 1:28-29 [28] Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [29] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
   See All...)
6. The Tribe of Zebulun = 57,400 (Numbers 1:30-31 [30] Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [31] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
   See All...)
7. The Tribe of Ephraim = 40,500 (Numbers 1:32-33 [32] Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [33] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.
   See All...)
8. The Tribe of Manasseh = 32,200 (Numbers 1:34-35 [34] Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [35] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
   See All...)
9. The Tribe of Benjamin = 35,400 (Numbers 1:36-37 [36] Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [37] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
   See All...)
10. The Tribe of Dan = 62,700 (Numbers 1:38-39 [38] Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [39] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
    See All...)
11. The Tribe of Asher = 41,500 (Numbers 1:40-41 [40] Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [41] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
    See All...)
12. The Tribe of Naphtali = 53,400 (Numbers 1:42-43 [42] Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; [43] Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
    See All...)
13. Total Number Able To Go Forth To War = 603,550 (Numbers 1:45-46 [45] So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; [46] Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
    See All...)
3. THE EXCLUSION OF THE LEVITES (Numbers 1:47-54 [47] But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. [48] For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, [49] Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: [50] But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. [51] And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. [52] And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. [53] But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. [54] And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
   See All...)
1. Levites not Numbered (Numbers 1:47-49 [47] But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. [48] For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, [49] Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
   See All...)
2. The Responsibilities of the Levites (Numbers 1:50-51 [50] But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. [51] And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
   See All...)
1. They are appointed to be over the tabernacle of testimony.
1. All the vessels that belong to it
2. All things that belong to it
2. They are to bear the tabernacle and all the vessels.
3. They are to minister to the tabernacle.
4. They are to encamp round about the tabernacle.
5. They are to take down the tabernacle when the camp setteth forward.
6. They are to pitch the tabernacle when it is to be set up.
3. The Protection of the Levites (Numbers 1:52-54 [52] And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. [53] But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. [54] And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
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1. The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death (Numbers 1:51And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
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2. The Levites camp round about the tabernacle "that there be no wrath upon the congregation” (Numbers 1:53But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
   See All...; Numbers 18:5And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
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