Numbers 3-5; Hebrews 12

Num 3:What stands out to you in Chapter 3? Who wasn’t included in the count? How many people were to be responsible for caring and transporting the Tabernacle?

Numbers 4:what was the role of the Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites?

Numbers 5: What was the test for purity for a woman suspected of adultery?

Hebrews 12: As we run the race, what should be our strategy according to v. 1-3?  What two mountains are compared and in what way?

Journal Prompt:  Hebrews 12:15 warns us to “see to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.”  How can you heed that warning.

Num 3:  God told Moses not to include the Levites in the census, but in this chapter He tells Moses to count them.  I believe this is to show the distinct responsibilities of the Levite tribes.  They were not to serve in the military, but rather to serve God with regard to the tabernacle and worship. The other thing that stands out is the age of the males to be counted – one year and older as opposed to 20 yrs and older for those in the tribes. We do not know the total of men involved as the family of Moses and Aaron is not included.  There were 22,000 men counted among the Levites.  In verse 43, they mention the total being 22, 273, so it is possible that Moses’ and Aaron’s families numbered 273.

Numbers 4:  The Kohathites were responsible for packing up, transporting and setting up all of the articles needed for ministering in the sanctuary. The Gershonites were responsible for transporting and setting up all of the curtains (walls) of the tabernacle. The Merarites were responsible for transporting all of the ‘hardware’ – the posts, bases, tent pegs, ropes, etc. 

Numbers 5: A woman suspected of adultery (apparently because she is pregnant and there is some suspicion as to who is the father) was to drink bitter water given to her by the priest which would cause her to miscarry if she had been unfaithful. 

Hebrews 12: As we ‘run the race’ to get to heaven, we should be encouraged to turn from sin and any obstacles in our path by those saints in heaven who are cheering us on (the cloud of witnesses). and we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews compares the Mt. Sinai, where God’s glory descended with Mt. Zion, the New Jerusalem.  In Exodus 19, Mt. Sinai was unapproachable, but Mt. Zion where God will dwell will welcome the saints and they will live in God’s presence.