Numbers 1:47 - Meaning and Application

Special care is taken here to set the tribe of Levi apart from the rest. In the matter of the golden calf, the Levites had already shown themselves faithful (Exodus 32:26). Special service is rewarded with special honor.

First, it was the Levites’ honor that they were given charge of holy things. They were entrusted with the care of the tabernacle, the tent where God met with Israel, and with everything connected to it, both while the camp moved and while it rested. When the camp moved, the Levites were to take the tabernacle down, carry it and all its furnishings, and set it up again in the appointed place (Numbers 1:50, Numbers 1:51). This protected the holiness of those things, because only those called by God were allowed to see or touch them.

The same truth points us to a spiritual lesson. We are not fit to have fellowship with God until he calls us by his grace into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Then, as part of the spiritual family of that great high priest, we are made priests to God. God also promised that he would take Levites for himself even from the nations, meaning from the Gentiles (Isaiah 66:21).

When the camp rested, the Levites were to set their tents around the tabernacle (Numbers 1:50, Numbers 1:53). They were to be close to their work and always ready to serve. They also acted as a guard, keeping the tabernacle from being robbed or treated carelessly. They were to camp around it so that no anger would come on the whole congregation, as would happen if the tabernacle and its charge were neglected, or if unauthorized people came too near. A great deal of care must be taken to stop sin, because stopping sin also stops wrath.

The Levites had another honor as well. Israel was a holy people, set apart from the nations, and the Levites were a holy tribe set apart from the rest of Israel. For that reason they were counted later by themselves, not with the other tribes (Numbers 1:49). The work they did for the sanctuary is even called a warfare, or a kind of service in battle (Numbers 4:23). Since they were engaged in that holy service, they were excused from military duty and not numbered with those who went out to war.

This teaches that those who serve in holy things should not get caught up in ordinary worldly business. The work of ministry is enough for one whole person, and more than enough. It also warns ministers to show their difference from ordinary Israelites by their way of life, not by trying to seem important, but by aiming to be truly better in every way.