What I Noticed Today (Numbers 8-10)
Numbers 8
Numbers 8 is focused on the Levites: their dedication and their retirement. The Levites are a substitute for the first-born of Israel. All the first-born belong to God, but the Levites are given as a substitute to Aaron in service to God. Here the Levites are cleaned, they shave their beards, and sin and burnt offerings made on their behalf. Finally, the Levites are offered to God as a wave offering. In this way, the Levites were separated from the people of Israel in service to God.
In verses 1-4, the lamps are set up in the tabernacle:
- The Lord spoke to Moses, telling him to have Aaron set up the lamps and lampstand (the menorah) just as God had commanded.
In verses 5-26, the Levites were consecrated:
- The Lord spoke to Moses, instructing him to bring the Levites forward and cleanse them by sprinkling them with purification water, have them shave their entire bodies, and wash their clothes.
- Two young bulls were to be brought as an offering.
- The first, with its grain offering mixed with oil, was a sin offering.
- The second bull was a burnt offering.
- The Levites were to present themselves to the Lord and lay hands on the head of the bull as it was sacrificed in recognition of the substitutionary atonement.
- The Levites were then to be presented to the Lord because they belong to the Lord.
- The Lord had given the Levites to Aaron and his sons to perform the work at the tabernacle on behalf of the Israelites.
- Moses and the Levites did everything the Lord commanded to purify and consecrate the Levites for their service.
- The Levites were to actively serve in the tabernacle from the time that they were 25 years old until they were 50 years old. At that time, they were no longer to serve in the tabernacle but were to continue to minister to the brothers and serve as guards.
Note: We saw in Numbers 4 that the Levites did not begin their duties until age 30, so the first five years of service were likely in training. Their likely trainers were the men who were over 50.
Note: A comparison between the priests and the Levites who served the priests: the priests were made holy, the Levites were cleansed, the priests were anointed, the Levites were sprinkled, the priests were given new garments, the Levites only washed their clothes.
Numbers 9
Numbers 9 established the Passover celebration as a remembrance of God’s judgment on the first-born of Egypt, and his passing over the house of Israel.
In verses 1-14, the second Passover is celebrated in the first month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt.
- The Passover was to be observed at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.
- There were some men who were unclean on the Passover day, so they came to Moses asking what they should do. Moses inquired of the Lord.
- The Lord said those that were unclean at the time of the celebration, or away on a journey, were to wait one month and then celebrate the Passover on the fourteenth day at twilight.
- The person who is not unclean or on a journey, and fails to celebrate the Passover is to be cut off from his people.
- A foreigner who lives among the Israelites and wishes to celebrate the Passover should be allowed to do so.
In verses 15-23, the cloud representing the Lord settled over the tabernacle:
Note: The chronology of this section jumps back two weeks from the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month of the second year, to the first day of that month to when the tabernacle was completed (see Numbers 7:1).
- On the day the tabernacle was completed, the cloud settled over the tabernacle and remained until nightfall when a pillar of fire appeared.
- At the command of the Lord, the people broke camp, and at the command of the Lord, they stopped and made camp.
- They never knew how long they would be in one place. Sometimes a day or two, and sometimes they would be in one place for weeks.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- The people had to place their full trust and faith in God, never knowing when the command would come to move out or stop. They had to obey God at all times. They had to wait on God. And they had to follow God.
- We must be ready to do the same today. We must put our full faith and complete trust in God. We must obey Him at all times. We must wait on Him. And we must follow Him.
Numbers 10
Numbers 10 provides the final instructions in preparation of the Israelites set out on their journey to the Promised Land.
In verses 1-10, God instructs Moses to have to silver trumpets made. These trumpets are the last bit of preparation before the Israelites set out on their journey to the Promised Land.
- The trumpets had six purposes:
- Long blasts of both trumpets to summon the congregation,
- Long blasts of only one trumpet to summon the chiefs (clan leaders),
- Short blasts to have the tribes set out on the march.
- Short blasts to sound an alarm for war.
- To mark the beginning of a month. When offerings were being made.
- The trumpets were to be blown by priests, and each time they were blown, it was to be a reminder to the people of God’s blessing.
In verses 11-28, depart from the Sinai and begin their journey to Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 10:11-14:45):
- On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud lifted up above the tabernacle, and the people set out, leaving the Wilderness of the Sinai and stopping when they arrived at the Wilderness of Paran.
- The tribe of Judah set out first, followed by the tribe of Issachar, and the tribe of Zebulun.
- The tabernacle was then taken down carried by the Levites of the Gershonite and the Merarite clans.
- The tribe of Reuben set out next, then Simeon’s tribe, and the tribe of Gad.
- The Levite clan of Kohathites then set out carrying the Ark of the Covenant and the other holy furnishings.
- The tribe of Ephraim set out next, followed by the tribe of Manasseh, and the tribe of Benjamin.
- The tribe of Dan set out next, followed by the tribe of Asher, and finally the tribe of Naphtali.
Note: About a year has passed since the people arrived at Mt. Sinai, and now the cloud lifted up, and the people set out on their march in an orderly fashion with the cloud of God leading the way.
In verses 29-32, we are now introduced to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite:
- Moses invites Hobab to join the Israelites on the journey, ostensibly to be a guide to the Israelites (vv. 31-32).
Note: I’m confused by this. Why would Moses want to ask someone else to guide the nation in the desert when God was leading him? On the other hand, by inviting Hobab along, Moses is inviting him to join God’s family, leaving behind his old ways to follow God.
Note: Hobab is described as being Moses’s father-in-law. But we know from Exodus 18 that Moses’ father in law is Jethro. Reuel is another name for Jethro. The Hebrew word (hoten) translated father-in-law means any male in-law. So it is most likely that Hobab is Jethro’s son, and therefore, is Moses’ brother in law, and Zipporah’s brother.
In verses 32-36, the Israelites set out on a three-day journey with the Ark of the Covenant traveling ahead of them. The cloud of the Lord was above them by day.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
