15.07.12 - Sungai Nibong Gospel HallSeries: The Numberings in NumbersPart 1:

THE FOUNDATION OF THE TABERNACLE

RECAPITULATION OF PART 1 – “THE SUBSTITUTION” IN THE SILVERPart 2:THE NUMBERINGS IN NUMBERS

A. THE SOURCE OF THE SILVER. B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SILVER.

C. THE "SUBSTITUTION" IN THE SILVER Num. 3:40-51

1. The Principle of Substitution.Num. 3:12, 13

a. The Rule – Every Firstborn of all Flesh belongs to God.

b. The Redemption - All Firstborn are to be redeemed by Five shekels of silver except those of a sheep, a goat or a cow. Cp. Num. 18:15-17

1. The Principle of Substitution.2. The Practice of Substitution: Num. 3:40-51

a. The Situation.

No. of Firstborn in Israel - 22 273 Num.3:43

No. of Levite firstborn - 22 000 Num.3:39

The "odd number" 273 Num.3:45-49

b. The Substitution.

For every one of the 22 000, a Levi firstborn was Substituted. Num. 3:41 cf. 39

For the remaining 273, five Shekels of Silver were paid as "redemption money". Num. 3:46-49

2. The Practice of Substitution: Num. 3:40-51 a. The Situation.b. The Substitution.

c. The Significance.

i. The Levi for the firstborn

Each must believe for oneself.

ii. The 5 shekels for the firstborn

•Christ paid with His life.

•The Offer is Gracious.

-a one-to-one substitution.- a Gracious Redemption.

-"the silver”

- "five shekels"

PART 2: THE NUMBERINGS -ISRAEL’S ENCAMPING AROUND THE TABERNACLE. NUM. 1:17-21…

And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month… according to the number of the names… every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;On the East – JUDAH (Num. 2:3, 5, 7)On the South – REUBEN (2:10, 12, 14)On the West – EPHRAIM (2:18, 20, 22 )On the North – DAN (2:25, 27, 29)Around Tabernacle – Levites, Moses & Aaron...

(3:17, 23, 29, 35, 38)

Pt. 2 - THE NUMBERING IN NUMBERS. Num. Chs.1-4The Number of Israelites (except Levites) - all males above 20. (Num.1:1-4, 49; 26:1-4 ct. v. 62 The No. after Exodus from Egypt.

The No. before Entering Canaan.

No. The Tribes Number Reference Sub-total1. REUBEN 46 500 1:20,21;

2:10,11  

  Simeon 59 300 1:22,23; 2:12,13

151 450

  Gad 45 650 1:24,25; 2:14,15

(2:16)

Position Position Number Ref.South 2nd 43 730 26:7South 2nd 22 200 v. 14South 2nd 40 500 v. 18

Pt. 2 - THE NUMBERING IN NUMBERS. Num. Chs.1-4

The No. after Exodus from Egypt.

The No. before Entering Canaan.

2. JUDAH 74 600 1:26,27; 2:3,4  

  Issachar 54 400 1:28,29; 2:5,6 186 400

  Zebulun 57 400 1:30, 31; 2:7, 8 (2:9)

East 1st 76 500 v. 22East 1st 64 300 v. 25East 1st 60 500 v. 27

No. The Tribes Number Reference Sub-total

Position Position Number Ref.

Pt. 2 - THE NUMBERING IN NUMBERS.

The No. after Exodus from Egypt.

The No. before Entering Canaan.

3 EPHRAIM 40 500 1:32,33; 2:18,19

 

  Manasseh 32 200 1:34,35; 2:20,21

108 100

  Benjamin 35 400 1:36,37; 2:22,23

(2:24)

West 3rd 32 500 v. 37West 3rd 52 700 v. 34West 3rd 45 600 v. 41

Pt. 2 - THE NUMBERING IN NUMBERS.

The No. after Exodus from Egypt.

The No. before Entering Canaan.

4. DAN 62 700 1:38,39; 2:25,26

 

  Asher 41 500 1:40,41; 2:24,28

157 600

  Naphtali 53 400 1:42,43; 2:29,30

(2:31)

  TOTAL 603 550 1:46; 2:32  

North 4th 64 400 vv. 42, 43North 4th 53 400 v. 47North 4th 45 400 v. 50    601 730  

The Numberings in Numbers

(1) After Exodus (Num. 1-4)

1st Numbering – (1:46 cf. 26:63-65) 603 550

All died, except Joshua and Caleb = 603 548

Cf. Num. 14:28-33 ct. 14:2

(2) Before Entry into Canaan (Num. 26)

2nd. Numbering – (26:51) 601 730

Difference 1 818

B. THE NUMBER OF LEVITES (all males above 1 month old. 3:14,15)

No The Family Number Reference Position 1 Gershonites 7 500 3:21-23 West

2 Kothathites 8 600 3:27-29 South

Position in March

Responsibilities Ref

After Zebulun

Curtains. Coverings, Hangings, Gate, Door

3:25,26

After Gad Ark, Table of Shewbread, Lampstand, altar (Laver?)

3:31

B. The Number of Levites

3 Merrites 6200 3:32-34 North AfterGershonites

4. Moses, Aaron & sons

- 3:38 East -

  TOTAL = 22000 3:39  

No Family Number Ref. PositionIn Camp in March

Boards, bars, pillars, sockets, court Pillars, sockets, pins and cords.

3:36, 37

The charge of the sanctuary 3:38

Note: After Exodus - 22000 3:39 Before Canaan - 23000 26:62

Responsibilities Ref

LESSONS FROM THE NUMBERINGS IN NUMBERS 

FACT - 1. Numbering of Israel.

1a. The Act of Numbering.1b. Only males above one month and 20 numbered1c. They were known as Israel, but some might not believe in Jehovah God. (Rom. 9:6)1d. All of them (except Joshua and Caleb) died in the wilderness because of their unbelief

LESSONGod knows His own. II Tim. 2:19; Mt. 10:29, 30Headship of God recognised in creation and military order. I Cor. 11:3Not all who name Christ are born-again Christians. Mt. 7:21, 22; Rev. 3:1

Only faith characterises true Christians. Heb. 3:17-19

1. Numbering of Israel 2. Numbering of Levites

2a. They were sanctified priests unto God (Num.3:50) and encamped round the tabernacle.2b. They were numbered from one month old and above.2c. They were not to be numbered among Israel (3:49) though living among them. They were God’s. (3:12, 13;)2d. They would have no inheritance and take charge of the tabernacle service(18:23-25; 26:62)2e. Their years of service from 30-50. (4:3, 23, 30, etc. Cf. 8:24- 26)

They represent the kingdom of holy and royal priests unto God. I Pet . 2:5, 9To be numbered among God's Kingdom of priests one must be born again. I Pet. 1:23, 25; 2:5Christians are a special “peculiar” people unto God. I Pet. 2:9 They are the peculiar people of the Lord (I Pet. 2:9)The priests’ Probation, Service at their prime, and “retired” role.

1. Numbering of Israel 2. Numbering of Levites

2f. They could not offer "strange fire" (Num.3:4) or allow "strangers" to come near their priestly ministry. (Num. 3:10)2g. Only the firstborn born to the Levites after the Passover were numbered. (Num. 3:12,13).2h. Only the Levites were allowed to take charge of the holy vessels, furniture, etc. Num. ch. 3

Christians should not adopt the ways of the world in worshipping and serving God. They should be separate. II Cor. 6:16-7:1The Christian life starts with one's identification with Christ, the Passover. I Cor. 5:7Christians are holy vessels in the house of God. II Tim.2:19-21

1. Numbering of Israel 2. Numbering of Levites 3. Numbering of the Firstborn in Israel.a. All Firstborn in Israel were numbered. Num. 3:40b. All Levites were to be "instead of all the firstborn" (Num.3:41) in one-to-one substitution based on the Passover . (cf. 3:13)

All men belong to God by right of creation.

Every one must trust the Lord as the Passover Lamb for oneself to be made a priest in the Kingdom of God. No one can do it for him. I Pet. 2:5-8

3. Numbering of the Firstborn in Israel.c. The "odd number" (3:47,48) was to be redeemed with five shekels of silver.

d. These people belonged to God because they were the firstborn (3:12,13) and they were redeemed. (3:47-49)

e. Each firstborn who was redeemed had his representative in a Levi - the priest. It was a sovereign appointment from bondage

We cannot be redeemed... with silver, but with the precious blood of Christ. I Pet.1:18 cf. Eph. 2:8, 9

Christians belong to God by right of creation and redemption, I Cor.6:19, 20

All Christians are priests expected to function as priests to offer spiritual sacrifices. Rom. 12:1; Heb.13:15, 16; I Pet.2:5,9. Sovereign appointment to service is based on sovereign deliverance

Blessèd are the sons of God,

They are bought with Christ’s own blood;

They are ransomed from the grave,

Life eternal they shall have:

With them numbered may we be,

Here and in eternity.

They are justified by grace,

They enjoy the Savior’s peace;

All their sins are washed away,

They shall stand in God’s great day;

With them numbered may we be,

Here and in eternity.

They are lights upon the earth,Children of a heavenly birth;One with God, with Jesus one;Glory is in them begun:With them numbered may we be,Here and in eternity.

Jo seph Humph reys