Lesson 32 Census of Israel and Duties of the Levites
Text: Numbers 1:1-54; 2:1-34; 3:1-51; 4:1-49
Census means counting or numbering of people living in a country and collecting information about them. The book of Numbers is so named of the children of Israel, the first based on the two numberings (census) o being at Mount Sinai and the second at the plains of Moab. This study describes the complete obedience of Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the tribes of Israel to the details of the divine instruction for the numbering of Israel.
Taking a census emphasized that each individual was important to God’s redemptive purpose and that the nation’s activity was to be directed and fully accountable to God alone. God has a record in the book of life of all who have surrendered their lives to Christ. Is your name among them?
- THE CENSUS OF ISRAEL: Numbers 1:1-54:3:1-51
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; 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 (Numbers 1:2,3). Israel needed to raise an army to fight their battles, therefore, God gave Moses the standard for raising armies from the various tribes of Israel. Those counted were young males above twenty years.
The assignment was too much for Moses and Aaron to carry out. So, God named twelve leaders across the tribes to assist them. The Bible says: “And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur” (Numbers 1:4,5). This clearly shows that God knows every boy and girl by name. God called Samuel, Elijah, Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul and some other believers by name.
Whenever God calls a person to do special work for Him. He raises up specific people with different spiritual gifts and talents to assist him. Doing God’s work alone without the help of others could lead to carelessness and weariness. The total number of people counted was six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty (603,550) God commanded Moses not to number the Levites among Israel because their duty was to serve in the sanctuary,
There is a census going on every day of all that surrender to Christ. As soon as a sinner repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, his name is written in the Book of Life. At the end of this world, God will open His book and only those whose names are in the Book of Life will enter God’s kingdom to reign with Jesus. If your name is not in the Book of Life, you need to repent now Ask Jesus to forgive and cleanse your heart with His blood. Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. Never go back to your old sinful ways but rather live in righteousness and holiness of life. This is the only way you will be numbered among the redeemed.
- THE COMMAND AND REASONS FOR THE CENSUS: Numbers 1:3,20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18
The command to conduct a census for Israel is not just to count them for counting sake. It is for divine purpose. It was to organise Israel into a nation and an army. God knows that they would be confronted with many enemy nations. These will want to hinder them from getting to the Promised Land. They need a well-trained and organised army to fight their battles. Secondly, it was to make room for proper worship, letting Israel know that God alone should be the centre of their affection and worship. Thirdly, it was to show Israel that they were special to God and should be different from the other nations around them.
Friends of Jesus are on their journey to heaven. In view of this, Satan is not happy. Therefore, he uses his agents and weapons to fight against them. It could be through temptations, trials, troubles, discouragement, hunger, sickness, false teachers and others. We should always remember that we are in the army of the Lord. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to pull down all strongholds. You must therefore determine to defend the faith, stand for the truth and live by it. As you do all these, you will overcome and make it to heaven, our promised land at last.
- CALL OF THE LEVITES AND THEIR DUTIES: Numbers 3:1-51; 4:1-49; Leviticus 10:1-10
The Levites were not numbered with the other tribes and were not included in any of the ranks. They were to offer special service to God. The first two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, died mysteriously after offering a strange fire before the Lord. To know the exact number of the Levites, God commanded Moses to count them in two categories: firstly, every male from a month old and upwards (Numbers 3:15) and secondly, the males from thirty to fifty years old (Numbers 4:3,23,30).
The Levites were specially called by God to do special work in God’s house. They were to: (a) Take care of God’s tabernacle (place of worship). (b) Keep all the instruments used for worship. (c) Teach the people the word of God. (d) Assist the priest in his service before the Lord. (e) Carry the ark of God and care for it. As special people called to do special work, they were to be totally separated from the other tribes and other duties in the congregation. Total separation from societal influence and consecration to God’s service is what is expected from every child of God.
You are to be separated from worldly things such as music, dance, dressing, games, plays and others. Then be set apart for God’s use. As the Levites were set apart for God’s service in the temple work, so all friends of Jesus, as New Testament Levites, are to surrender themselves to the service of the Lord. Be involved in evangelism in your community. Give willingly for the work of God. Support mission work with your prayers and gifts. Attend church service/fellowship regularly. Be an example of believer to other children. Support your parents ministerial work. As you do all these, the blessings of the Lord will come upon your life.
QUESTIONS:
- Why did God command Moses to number Israel?
- What do we learn from the appointment of some individuals to assist Moses and Aaron in the work?
- Why were the Levites not counted with the other tribes in Israel?
- What were the duties of the Levites?
- God has a record of the names of born-again children in the. 6. How can a sinful child be numbered among God’s children?
MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Numbers 1:2).
LESSON: God has record of all true friends of Jesus.
THOUGHT: I will become a true friend of Jesus so that I will be numbered among the redeemed.
ACTIVITY: Read Numbers 1:1-3 and 1 Chronicles 21:1-8 and write out two important lessons you learnt from the two passages.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 52-COUNT ME
CHORUSES:
1) I am a soldier in the army.
(2) Are you in that number?
(3) Oh, when the saints go marching in.
HOMEWORK: Pray for at least 10 minutes that God will give you the grace to serve Him well and be numbered among His children.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH: Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Census
- Conduct
- Confronted
- Levites
- Redemptive.
