Drash
Numbers 1:47-49

Blaine Robison, M.A.

Delivered 4 June 2022

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Counted to Serve

47 But the Levites were not numbered among them with regard to the tribe of their fathers. 48 For ADONAI had spoken to Moses, saying, 49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take a sum of them among the sons of Israel." (Num 1:47-49 BR)

Today's passage is from Parashat B'Midbar, which continues into Chapter Four. The parashah tells of the census of the tribes of Israel, the duties of the Levites and priests, the arrangement of the camp, and the redemption of the firstborn.

The word "b'midbar" means "in the wilderness." Many versions translate the term as "in the desert," but this is misleading. Sinai at this time was not like Arizona, because the land supported thousands of livestock animals kept by the Israelites.

The parashah records that in the second month of the second year after the exodus from Egypt, which is one month after the mishkan was dedicated, ADONAI directed Moses to count by name the male descendants of eleven of the sons of Jacob. In this counting the two sons of Joseph were treated as separate tribes. Each of the twelve tribes had a leader who helped Moses do the counting. The criteria for the census was age 20 and above and able to go to war. In other words, these tribes were to provide members of Israel's army. You could call this census a divine selective service. The registration resulted in a total of 603,550, a very large standing army.

According to the text, the sons of Levi were exempted in this registration for military service, because God intended the tribe to be devoted to serving Him at the mishkan. In verses 50-51 the Levite clans were assigned the responsibilities of maintaining the mishkan and transporting the sacred tent when the nation moved. The Levites were also to provide security at the mishkan and were authorized to use deadly force to prevent any Israelite from trespassing inside the curtain boundary.

In Chapter Two ADONAI gave instructions on the tribal organization of the encampment. The Levites and priests were given the privilege of setting up their tents around the mishkan, which formed a kind of barrier between the other tribes and the mishkan. That means the tribe of Levi had the opportunity of living the closest to God.

Then in Chapter Three ADONAI directed the counting of the tribe of Levi "from a month old and upward." This count totaled 22,000, making Levi the smallest tribe in the nation. In this chapter ADONAI clarifies His reason for the separate counting of Levi. ADONAI set apart the tribe of Levi for exclusive religious ministry in lieu of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who had been set apart to ADONAI in recompense for the firstborn of Egypt killed in the last plague.

Also in Chapter Three and into Chapter Four the Levite clan families are assigned specific parts of the sacred tent to care for. Moreover the Torah records that the tribe of Levi was given at least a dozen major responsibilities and many specific duties, so you could say they were "task organized." Every member of the tribe had a specific job to do.

God intended originally that His people would be a kingdom of priests (Ex 19:6) and I would say that the task organization of the sons of Levi serves as a type of the Body of Messiah. As Kefa wrote, "you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house—a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua" (1Pet 2:5 TLV). Sha'ul wrote that there are varieties of gifts and ministries, but the same Spirit and each member of the Body of Messiah is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1Cor 12:4-7). The Lord intended for each of us to be active in ministry, not spectators.

Maimonides in his monumental writing called Mishneh Torah swerved into this important New Covenant truth. He wrote:

"Not only the tribe of Levi, but any one of the inhabitants of the world [which includes Gentiles] whose spirit motivates him… to set himself apart to serve God and minister to Him and to know God … removing from his neck the yoke of the many plans which people pursue, he is sanctified as holy of holies. God will be His portion and heritage forever and will provide what is sufficient for him in this world like He provides for the priests and the Levites."

In the context of today's commemoration of Shavuot every follower of Yeshua is called to complete sanctification, that is, of devotion to God, empowerment by the Spirit and availability for service. The question for today is "Can God count on you?" Think on this.

Barukh Hashem

Copyright © 2022 by Blaine Robison. All rights reserved.