DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For October 29, 2023 : Topic – CENSUS OF ISRAEL AND DUTIES OF THE LEVITES
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 84
CENSUS OF ISRAEL AND DUTIES OF THE LEVITES
Memory Verse: Take ye The sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls” (Numbers 1:2).
TEXT: Numbers 1:1-46; 2:1-34; 3:1-5; 4:1-49
Our study today introduces us to the book of Numbers, Which is the fourth book of the Bible. It is among the first Five books called Pentateuch. It has thirty-six chapters. It Derived its name from the records of numbering or counting Of the children of Israel which are found in chapters l and 26. Furthermore, God commanded Moses to number the Children of Israel except the Levites.
Question 1: Why were the Levites excluded from being numbered?
The Levites were not to be numbered among the other tribes of the children of Israel. They were assigned specifically to minister in the tabernacle, thereby given a peculiar Location to pitch their camp. Their separation was to enable Them serve God in the things pertaining to the tabernacle Without distractions. In our text, the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron, His representatives, to organize and order the children of Israel According to their tribes. In like manner, God uses His representatives (Church leadership) to maintain proper order the church. There is beauty in unity and obedience to God’s directives given out through His appointed representatives. Israel’s obedience to Moses amounts to he, obedience to the Lord. As every section in the church makes effort to follow and obey leadership, so must every Christian youth endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3) by prompt and total obedience to leadership, After all the necessary arrangement of the Levites was completed, the duties and responsibilities of the Levites were given by God through Moses (Number 4:1-14)
1. THE NUMBERING AND ORDERLINESS OF GOD’S CHILDREN
Numbers 1:1-46; 2:1-34; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1Timothy 5:17; Exodus 18:21,22; Ezekiel 37:1 -14
“And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, …saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls” (Numbers 1:1,2). God commanded Moses to number or count those who could go to war among the children of Israel. Those to be enlisted should be men from the age of twenty upward and they should be counted according to their families. Women, children, the aged and strangers were excluded from this census. This is because they could not engage in warfare. In the New Testament, all born-again youths are soldiers of Christ (1 Timothy 2:1,3,4).
Question 2: Why was the census necessary?
One, it was done to know the number of those who could go to war in order to capture the land of Canaan. Two, it was to have a proper order and identification of the people. Three, it was to recognize the true Israelites and distinguish them from the mixed multitude. Four, it was to serve as a testimony of God’s faithfulness to His promises which He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:5; 28:14). “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). God wants us to lean and be encouraged from their Obedience to His commands We are also warned by the Consequences of their unbelief an complaints, which kept them away from the Promised Land So we see that they Could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19)
Question 3: What are the implications of numbering God’s army to Christian youths?
One, we see the need for accurate record keeping in the Youth Fellowship meetings. This record is helpful for the Purpose of evaluation, planning and management of Resources. Two, by comparing the first census and the second census, we see a serious decrease (Numbers 1:46: 26:51). This is important in addressing the causes of the Variation. Three, every member of the Church is very important in the sight of God, so our record must capture Everyone for accountability. Four, we should be watchful And take heed lest we fall and become a cast away (1 Corinthians 10:12), after being saved and numbered with The saints of God. It is not enough to have names written in Any record of the church but we must strive to get to heaven. Five, although God was leading the children of Israel, yet. Had to make military preparation. Security measures And positive plans must be put in place by every Christian Youth.
Question 4: For what purpose did God command the Children of Israel to lift up a banner for each tribe?
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, Saying, Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by His own standard (flag), with the ensign (symbol) of their Father’s house: Far off about the tabernacle of the Congregation shall they pitch” (Numbers 2:1,2). God’s plan Was that each tribe would have its own camp location under Its respective “standards” (flags or banners). It was Necessary for easy identification, security or defense and orderliness. The tabernacle, which was a symbol of God’s presence among His people, was mounted at the centers of the Camp, which indicates the centrality and importance of the presence of God in their midst.
2. THE SEPARATION AND CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES
Numbers 1:47-54:3 1-51: Leviticus 10:1-10
“For the LORD has spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shall not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the Sum of them among the children of Israel” (Numbers 1:48,49). God gave Moses specific instruction, concerning the Levites: One, they were to be numbered separately from the rest of the children of Israel. Two, they were to pitch separately around the tabernacle, before the camp of the other tribes of Israel. Three, they were to be wholly dedicated to the service of the sanctuary. Therefore, they were marked out and separated to honor God. They were called to be close to God and take charge of the holy things under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. Below are some of the duties God assigned to the Levites according to chapter one of Numbers. One, they were to minister over the tabernacle of testimony, over all the vessels and all things that belong to it (verse 50). Two, they were to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it when they were about to advance in their journey (Joshua 3:13-l6). Three, they were to camp around the tabernacle and prevent intruders from gaining access to it (verse 53). Four, they were to take the tabernacle down when it was tine to move the tabernacle (verse 51). Five, they were to erect and pitch the tabernacle in a new location (verse 51). After the Levites were separated and numbered as commanded by God, they were consecrated to Him for His service.
Question 5: What is consecration?
Consecration is the setting apart of somebody or something as holy to God and His use. The consecration of the Levites for service is a symbol of how Christian youths should be consecrated and committed to the work of God. This fact was borne out of God’s claim that the Levites belonged to Him and that He gave them to Aaron for service. By virtue of His divine ownership over the Levites, God had the full right to determine both their service and the limit of their liberty. In The sane way. God has a double claim of ownership over Youths that are born again: Firstly, He owns us by creation. “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made Us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep Of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3). Secondly. He is our Redeemer Who bought us out of the slave-market of sin and Satan through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son(1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Aaron and his sons were anointed and consecrated by God Through Moses to minister as priests in the sanctuary. Nadab And Abihu, the sons of Aaron offered strange fire (incense Offered without the Lord’s command and also used Unauthorized fire) before the Lord and were struck dead right In the tabernacle. “And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in The wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in The sight of Aaron their father” (Numbers 3:4). Christian Youths must avoid anything that will incur the wrath of God As they walk and serve Him.
3. THE APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE LEVITES
Numbers 4:1-49; 12:1-8,16; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 15:58;2 Timothy 2:19-21; Hebrews 12:28
“And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, And the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein Is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof” (Numbers 4:16). In this represents the grace Of God (Matthew 25:1-13). The “sweet incense” stands for The prayers of the saints (Psalm 141:2). The “daily Meat Offering” stands for the daily spiritual food (the word of God) (Job 23: 12). The “anointing oil” represents the power of the Should Holy Spirit in the believers’ life (Acts 10:38). Therefore seek the Lord to possess these spiritual qualities in our lives. The duties were shared among the three sons of Levi: Kohath, Gershom and Merari Aaron, his sons and their lineage were separated from the other member of the tribe of Levi The other Levites were to report to Aaron and his son who had been appointed to handle the office of the high priest And the other services of the priests in the tabernacle.
Question 6: What are some duties Christian youths can Perform in the church today?
Christian youths have duties which the Lord has assigned Unto them. The principal assignment of every Christian Youth is the preaching of the gospel. “And he said unto Them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to Every creature” (Mark 16:15). Christian youths are also to Get involved in other assignments such as leading choruses, singing in the choir, playing instruments, cleaning the chairs, the environment and any other task given to them by Their leaders. All youths should be involved in domestic work At home by helping their parents. There are things they can Do to improve their communities and schools. They can Participate in community service or school club project. Youths can serve in leadership position as class captains or School prefects; community youth leaders, or church youth Group leaders. Moses was dedicated to the Lord and did exactly what the Lord told him to do. Dedication is faithfulness to a given Assignment or responsibility. It involves diligence, discipline, determination, selflessness, sacrifice, submission to the will Of God, steadfastness in the Word of God and being led by the Spirit of God. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye Steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of The Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in Vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The priests were to appoint the service of the Levites who Were to work along with in the tabernacle. Even though They were few at that time and the task was great as a result of their constant movement, yet they had to do the task Diligently or risk the wrath of God on themselves and the Other Levites. No matter how difficult an assignment given to Us may be, God will give the grace to complete the task. God require willingness and commitment to whatever assignment He gives us. There are several rewards for dedicated Christian youths who yield their lives to the Lord and His service. Such rewards include heavenly and earthly blessings.