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Numbers 3; Substitution
2025/09/21 Numbers 3; Substitution; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20250921_numbers-3.mp3
We are journeying with Jesus in the Wilderness, the Old Testament book of Numbers. We’ll be tackling chapter 3 today, looking at the left-out Levites. In chapter 1, the generation who experienced the Exodus were numbered in preparation for battle, for entering the promised land. In chapter 2 the tribes were organized around the central tent of YHWH, three tribes under one banner on each side of the tabernacle. In both the numbering and in the organization, the tribe of Levi was expressly to be left out. Here in chapters 3 and 4 we see two different numberings of the Levites, and their organization around and responsibilites for the Lord’s tent.
We were told in chapter 1:
Numbers 1:47 But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. 48 For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. 50 But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. 51 When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. 52 The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. 53 But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.”
In chapter 2, in the marching sequence, after the camp of Judah and the camp of Reuben,
Numbers 2:17 “Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.
Then the camps of Ephraim and of Dan are to follow,
Numbers 2:33 But the Levites were not listed among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
The Danger of Drawing Near
Numbers 3 begins this way:
Numbers 3:1 These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. 4 But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.
This introduction to the family of Aaron is a reminder of the danger of unbelief and disobedience. YHWH desires to dwell among his people, those he redeemed. But he must be treated as holy by those who approach him. He clearly communicates what he requires of all who would draw near, the way in which they are to enter his holy presence. But Nadab and Abihu were spontaneous in their worship.
Only the high priest was authorized to offer incense, but they took this honor for themselves. The recipe for the holy incense was specified in Exodus 30:34-36, but we don’t know what kind of incense they burned. The coals for the censer must be taken from the altar of burnt offering, which the Lord had ignited (Lev.16:12-13), but they offered unauthorized fire. God wants to be approached, but he must be approached only in the way he himself proscribes, not in any way that seems right to us. Jesus said ‘I am the way… no one comes to the Father except through me’ (Jn.14:6). Every other way ends in death.
Anointed (Messiah) Priest
Verse 3 describes the sons of Aaron as anointed priests. Priests and kings were anointed with oil to set them apart for their office. The Hebrew word translated ‘anointed’ is ‘Messiah’, and the Greek word for ‘anointed’ is ‘Christ’. Jesus, anointed with the Holy Spirit, is our Great High Priest.
Guard Duty for Levites
Numbers 3:5 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. 8 They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. 9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. 10 And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”
The rest of the Levites not descended from Aaron were to serve Aaron, and to serve God’s tent. They were commissioned to guard duty. They were to guard the congregation from the wrath of God, and to guard God’s tent from unauthorized entry. They were authorized to use lethal force against any intruder, which would prevent God’s wrath from breaking out.
The Levites were set apart for this in Exodus 32 during the out of control idolatry with the golden calf.
Exodus 32:25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. 29 And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”
Because the sons of Levi fiercly defended the holiness of YHWH, they were blessed with the responsibility of ministering to the Lord.
Substitution; Levites for Firstborn
Numbers 3 tells us how this would work.
Numbers 3:11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.”
The rest of chapters 3-4 are structured around two censuses; the census in 3:14-39 of every male Levite 1 month old and up who were counted as substitutes, and the census in chapter 4 of the male Levites 30 years up to 50 years, who would do the work of the tabernacle. At the heart of this passage (3:40-51) is substitution and redemption; the substitution of the Levites for the firstborn, and the redemption of any firstborn who were not covered by a substitute.
Census of Levites for Substitution [graphic; Levi family tree]
Numbers 3:14 And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” 16 So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. 17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of Kohath by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 And the sons of Merari by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers’ houses.
These are listed in birth order, each by their clans, the count of males a month old and up, and each section ends with where they are to camp and a brief overview of what part of the tabernacle they were responsible for (which will be elaborated more precisely in chapter 4).
The Gershonites were to camp west of the central tent, and were to be responsible for the tent fabrics, the coverings, screens, hangings and cords, and all the service connected with these.
The Kohathintes were to camp to the South, and were to guard the tabernacle furniture; the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and everything connected with those.
Verse 32 tells us that Eleazer son of Aaron was to oversee those who guarded the sanctuary.
The Merarites were to camp to the North, and were to be responsible for the frames, bars, pillars, and bases; the structure and framework of the tabernacle, with its pegs and cords.
This section concludes with Moses and Aaron and their families camped to the east, in front of the entrance to God’s tent.
Numbers 3:38 Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death.
39 All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the LORD, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000.
Moses and Aaron were of the clan of the Kohathites, and they were to oversee the operations of the entire sanctuary. To each person was delegated a specific task to allow maximum efficiency in mobilizing the camp. Again there is a reminder of the danger of death to those unauthorized.
Census of the Firstborn; Substitution
Numbers 3:40 And the LORD said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.
Here is another census, this time of the firstborn of all the people. This census was to count the firstborn who belonged to the Lord, who needed to be redeemed. We see clearly the principle of substitution; one person taking the place of another person. The firstborn Israelite, by means of the Passover, belonged to God. They were obliged to serve YHWH however he chose. But God took the Levites in their place.
But this was not a vague undefined group of people taking the place of another undefined group. No, substitution was one for one. One Levite could take the place of exactly one firstborn. They were counted.
Redemption:
Numbers 3:44 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. 46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs), 48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” 49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
This substitution was precise. Each one who did not have a substitute, did not have someone to stand in his place, had to be redeemed with money.
Our Greater Substitute
This all points us to our greater Substitute.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:25 …Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
This is personal. This is precise. One for one.
Galatians 2:20 …the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
My greater substitute. The Son of God loved me. He gave himself for me. The Lord took the Levites as priests in place of the firstborn son, but God gave his one and only firstborn Son for us so that we could now live in his presence as a kingdom of priests who offer him praise.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ—the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood 6 and has appointed us as a kingdom, as priests serving his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 5:9 They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
***
Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
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By Rodney Zedicher2025/09/21 Numbers 3; Substitution; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20250921_numbers-3.mp3
We are journeying with Jesus in the Wilderness, the Old Testament book of Numbers. We’ll be tackling chapter 3 today, looking at the left-out Levites. In chapter 1, the generation who experienced the Exodus were numbered in preparation for battle, for entering the promised land. In chapter 2 the tribes were organized around the central tent of YHWH, three tribes under one banner on each side of the tabernacle. In both the numbering and in the organization, the tribe of Levi was expressly to be left out. Here in chapters 3 and 4 we see two different numberings of the Levites, and their organization around and responsibilites for the Lord’s tent.
We were told in chapter 1:
Numbers 1:47 But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. 48 For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. 50 But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. 51 When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. 52 The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. 53 But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.”
In chapter 2, in the marching sequence, after the camp of Judah and the camp of Reuben,
Numbers 2:17 “Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.
Then the camps of Ephraim and of Dan are to follow,
Numbers 2:33 But the Levites were not listed among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
The Danger of Drawing Near
Numbers 3 begins this way:
Numbers 3:1 These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. 4 But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.
This introduction to the family of Aaron is a reminder of the danger of unbelief and disobedience. YHWH desires to dwell among his people, those he redeemed. But he must be treated as holy by those who approach him. He clearly communicates what he requires of all who would draw near, the way in which they are to enter his holy presence. But Nadab and Abihu were spontaneous in their worship.
Only the high priest was authorized to offer incense, but they took this honor for themselves. The recipe for the holy incense was specified in Exodus 30:34-36, but we don’t know what kind of incense they burned. The coals for the censer must be taken from the altar of burnt offering, which the Lord had ignited (Lev.16:12-13), but they offered unauthorized fire. God wants to be approached, but he must be approached only in the way he himself proscribes, not in any way that seems right to us. Jesus said ‘I am the way… no one comes to the Father except through me’ (Jn.14:6). Every other way ends in death.
Anointed (Messiah) Priest
Verse 3 describes the sons of Aaron as anointed priests. Priests and kings were anointed with oil to set them apart for their office. The Hebrew word translated ‘anointed’ is ‘Messiah’, and the Greek word for ‘anointed’ is ‘Christ’. Jesus, anointed with the Holy Spirit, is our Great High Priest.
Guard Duty for Levites
Numbers 3:5 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. 8 They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. 9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. 10 And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”
The rest of the Levites not descended from Aaron were to serve Aaron, and to serve God’s tent. They were commissioned to guard duty. They were to guard the congregation from the wrath of God, and to guard God’s tent from unauthorized entry. They were authorized to use lethal force against any intruder, which would prevent God’s wrath from breaking out.
The Levites were set apart for this in Exodus 32 during the out of control idolatry with the golden calf.
Exodus 32:25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. 29 And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”
Because the sons of Levi fiercly defended the holiness of YHWH, they were blessed with the responsibility of ministering to the Lord.
Substitution; Levites for Firstborn
Numbers 3 tells us how this would work.
Numbers 3:11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.”
The rest of chapters 3-4 are structured around two censuses; the census in 3:14-39 of every male Levite 1 month old and up who were counted as substitutes, and the census in chapter 4 of the male Levites 30 years up to 50 years, who would do the work of the tabernacle. At the heart of this passage (3:40-51) is substitution and redemption; the substitution of the Levites for the firstborn, and the redemption of any firstborn who were not covered by a substitute.
Census of Levites for Substitution [graphic; Levi family tree]
Numbers 3:14 And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” 16 So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. 17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of Kohath by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 And the sons of Merari by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers’ houses.
These are listed in birth order, each by their clans, the count of males a month old and up, and each section ends with where they are to camp and a brief overview of what part of the tabernacle they were responsible for (which will be elaborated more precisely in chapter 4).
The Gershonites were to camp west of the central tent, and were to be responsible for the tent fabrics, the coverings, screens, hangings and cords, and all the service connected with these.
The Kohathintes were to camp to the South, and were to guard the tabernacle furniture; the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and everything connected with those.
Verse 32 tells us that Eleazer son of Aaron was to oversee those who guarded the sanctuary.
The Merarites were to camp to the North, and were to be responsible for the frames, bars, pillars, and bases; the structure and framework of the tabernacle, with its pegs and cords.
This section concludes with Moses and Aaron and their families camped to the east, in front of the entrance to God’s tent.
Numbers 3:38 Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death.
39 All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the LORD, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000.
Moses and Aaron were of the clan of the Kohathites, and they were to oversee the operations of the entire sanctuary. To each person was delegated a specific task to allow maximum efficiency in mobilizing the camp. Again there is a reminder of the danger of death to those unauthorized.
Census of the Firstborn; Substitution
Numbers 3:40 And the LORD said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.
Here is another census, this time of the firstborn of all the people. This census was to count the firstborn who belonged to the Lord, who needed to be redeemed. We see clearly the principle of substitution; one person taking the place of another person. The firstborn Israelite, by means of the Passover, belonged to God. They were obliged to serve YHWH however he chose. But God took the Levites in their place.
But this was not a vague undefined group of people taking the place of another undefined group. No, substitution was one for one. One Levite could take the place of exactly one firstborn. They were counted.
Redemption:
Numbers 3:44 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. 46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs), 48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” 49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
This substitution was precise. Each one who did not have a substitute, did not have someone to stand in his place, had to be redeemed with money.
Our Greater Substitute
This all points us to our greater Substitute.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:25 …Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
This is personal. This is precise. One for one.
Galatians 2:20 …the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
My greater substitute. The Son of God loved me. He gave himself for me. The Lord took the Levites as priests in place of the firstborn son, but God gave his one and only firstborn Son for us so that we could now live in his presence as a kingdom of priests who offer him praise.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ—the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood 6 and has appointed us as a kingdom, as priests serving his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 5:9 They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
***
Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org