Numbers 3  In this chapter we are told that the Lord numbered and organized the family of Levi.  

Aaron and his sons were "the anointed priests".  They were "ordained" or consecrated - filled, confirmed, wholly given to the Lord's service. Verse 32 tells us that Eleazar,  Aaron's son was the "chief of the leaders of Levi, and had oversight of those who perform the duties of the sanctuary" . 

All of the rest of the Levites were brought before Aaron "that they may serve him."  They were divided into 3 specific groups according to their families.  Levi had 3 sons.. Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.   Each group was charged with specific responsibilities in the care of the tabernacle.  But, altogether they were "wholly given to [Aaron] from among the sons of Israel."  Not only were they given to Aaron and the priests.. but they were wholly claimed by God..  " So the Levites shall be Mine"!   Thirdly, they were considered a substitute for every first-born son from all the other tribes.  When the Lord struck down all the first born sons of Egypt and spared the sons of Israel, the Lord "sanctified" to Himself all the first born men and animals, saying "They shall be Mine; I am the Lord".  

The sons of Gershon were numbered.. "from a month old and upward".  There were 7,500 men. They were given the westward camp around the tabernacle. The tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin would be next to them. Their duties "involved the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, and the screen for the doorway".. all the hangings, screens, and cords would all be in their charge. 

The sons of Kohath would camp to the south of the tabernacle next to the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.  There were 8,600 males from the age of one month and upward in the Kohathites.  Their service included the ark, the table and lamp stand, the altars, the utensils and the screen for the sanctuary.. the holy place.

The sons of Merari numbered 6,200.  They camped to the northward side of the tabernacle next to Naphtali, Asher, and Dan.  Their service was to care for the frames, the bars, the pillars, the sockets and all the other equipment.. pegs and cords and pillars ect. .. the "bones" of the tabernacle. 

To the east of the tabernacle Moses, Aaron and all of his sons..those who were "performing the duties of the sanctuary.. " camped.  They would be next to Judah, Issachar and Zebulun..

Altogether there were 22, 000 Levite males from a month old and upward.  The next thing that the Lord commanded Moses to do was to number every 1st born son in all the other tribes. There were 22,273. Each Levite male "redeemed" a first born male from another tribe - head for head.  There were still 273 first - born males beyond the number of Levites.. so the Lord commanded that each of these would pay a "ransom" of 5 shekels a person.  "The ransom" was given to Aaron and his sons for the sanctuary. 

So, what can we learn from this?  Again, we see the wisdom of our God. So specific, so organized and practical.. and yet revealing a hint of what was His future plan for His people.. and for us.  Jesus is the firstborn Son.. He is the ransom for all those who have no other way to be redeemed. He is the High Priest who serves..and also the Lamb that was sacrificed.  He directs each of us to His side.. and gives us "good works" that He has prepared for us to do.. (Ephesians 2:10).

Father, we thank You for calling each of us to serve as You have ordained.  You have given us gifts to serve in Your church.. to encourage, to teach, to pray, or to give.  Some have been charged to lead and others to follow.  We all must surrender to Your leading, and so we pray that Your will be done and Your Name exalted. Thank You for Jesus our Lord and Savior.. the ransom for many.. draw us closer and closer to You we pray, in His mighty Name. Amen.