This map is from ebibleteacher.com and it depicts the layout of the tribal camps of the twelve tribes. Yesterday we read about the census, but today we learn that the tribe of Levi was not included in the census because the Lord told them not to. The tribe of Levi was to be the only tribe given responsibility for the sanctuary and everything in it. They were to take it down, move it and set it up again whenever the Israelites moved to a new place. During travel, the Levites with the tabernacle and all its furnishings were to travel in the middle. Once they arrived wherever the Lord had taken them, the Levites were to camp all around the tabernacle so that wrath would not fall on the Israelite community. While they were camped, each tribe was identified by its own standard. I assume this is basically a banner or flag and I would love to know what they looked like.
Chapter 33 gives more detail about the Levites. Aaron the brother of Moses and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar were the anointed priests, ordained to serve as priests. (Ordain-to invest with priestly authority or confer holy orders upon) There were only these two priests during Aaron's lifetime. That seems like a HUGE job for just two guys! So God gave them some help from their own tribe in doing the work of the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were the only ones allowed inside without fear of death. This was the Lord's house on earth and He did exactly as He wanted to do. The Levites were commanded to count every male a month old or more. Well, there's a good reason why this book is called "Numbers" it is a very descriptive name!
Levi-3 sons and 8 grandsons
-Gershon (Gershonite clans)
----Libni & Shimei (Libnites and Shimeites 7500)
They were to camp on the west behind the tabernacle. They were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, curtains, and ropes.
-Kohath (Kohathite clans)
----Amram, Izhar, Hebron & Uzziel (Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites 8600)
They were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering.
-Merari (Merarite clans)
----Mahli and Mushi
Tomorrow read about the Merarite clans in Numbers 3:33-5:22
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