Day 55 – Numbers 3-4

Talking Points

• The priests for the nation will come from the descendants of Aaron. The tribe of the Levites are set aside for service of the tabernacle and to aid the priests. Each family group is assigned specific jobs and duties. Even the proximity of their campsite in relation to the tabernacle is specifically set.
• Whereas the firstborn of all the sons of Israel were to be set aside unto God, He chose the tribe of Levi in their place. Where there were 22,273 firstborn sons, there were only 22,000 Levites. The 273 sons for which there were no Levites had to be redeemed or bought back.
• All of this, again, highlights the absolute holiness of God. A layman who attempted any of these duties was to be put to death.

Thoughts

In Exodus 13, God institutes the dedication of the firstborn of Israel to Him, as a sign or reminder of His deliverance out of Egypt. In Numbers 3, we see Him tell Moses and Aaron to count the Levites, whom He had chosen to serve Him in the tabernacle. God also tells them to count the firstborn sons, making a list of their names. He would ransom the firstborn sons by the Levites – a one for one exchange. But, the number of firstborn sons outnumbered the Levites by 273.

Notice something here — the Lord didn’t just overlook this; He didn’t just call it even. That wouldn’t be in line with God’s perfectly just nature. Once God has set the terms, it must be carried out. Those 273 firstborn sons must be ransomed or bought back. The Lord set the ransom, and the redemption money was given to Aaron and his sons.

Even in this, God was teaching us about a ransom, about redemption. Either a one-for-one exchange as payment, or the ransom must be paid. God was teaching us to look for the Messiah, “the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” – Ephesians 1:7-8

Praise the Lord! We’ve been redeemed!