Numbers 17

Here in this chapter we see God's final vindication of  Aaron and his family's appointment to serve as priests before God. Each tribal leader was commanded to bring a staff or rod, with Moses writing their names on it. All in all there were 12 rods.

The following day, it was the rod of Aaron that budded, blossomed and bore fruit. This was to signify and demonstrate, once and for all, that it was Aaron and his sons were the ones who were authorized to serve as priests before God in the tabernacle. The rod of Aaron was then kept for a memorial inside the tabernacle in the Most Holy Place as a testimony to all.

The people of Israel were terrified and got the message. They overreacted saying: "Behold, we perish, we are dying, we are all dying! Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the LORD, must die. Are we to perish completely?”

Apparently, before this incident, they flippantly and casually just went near the vicinity of the tabernacle. But at this point, they would not dare go near it. Actually, what was prohibited was for a non-authorized person to go inside the tabernacle.

Numbers 16

Here in this chapter we read of a rebellion coming from two groups, all combining to rebel against Moses and Aaron. One group was composed of 250 leaders in Israel led by Korah, another group was composed of Abiram, Dathan and company.

The group led by Korah were ambitious to serve as priests with Aaron in the tabernacle. The group composed of Abriam, Dathan and company, on the other hand, were dissatisfied and envious with the leadership of Moses.

To address the rebellion, Moses invited both groups. The group led by Korah came but the company of Abiram and Dathan refused. Moses told Korah's group to come the following day and bring with them a censer with fire and incense including Aaron. Actually, only Aaron and his sons were authorized by God to do this. The whole thing will be a demonstration as to who has the approval of the Lord to serve in the tabernacle as priests.

And so the following day, Korah, the 250 prominent Israelite men, accompanied and supported by the congregation set themselves against Moses and Aaron. There, at the doorway of the tabernacle, they all assembled.

The Lord could have consume the congregation with His fire but Moses and Aaron interceded. The Lord then told Moses to tell the congregation to distance themselves from the dwelling places of Korah, Dathan, Abiram and company. Then the ground opened itself up and swallowed them all, including their possessions, and then the ground closed on them.

Then fire came from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who arrogated to themselves the priesthood. They wanted to offer fire to the Lord in the tabernacle but God consumed them with His fire. All their censers were hammered for the plating of the altar to serve as a reminder to the people not to follow their example.

The following day, the congregation murmured and assembled against Moses and Aaron saying that they caused the death of the Lord's people. A plague from the Lord broke out but Moses and Aaron intervened. Aaron took a censer, placed on it incense and fire from the altar and brought it quickly to the congregation to atone them. "He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked." 14,700 people died from the plague.

All of this was to demonstrate again the fact that only Aaron and his sons were authorized to offer the censer offerings to the Lord.

Numbers 15

Here in this chapter we read of God instructing the younger generation when they will finally enter the Promise Land. They are to offer burnt and free will offerings to the Lord along with the supplementary grain offerings and drink offerings. They were also to offer Him the first-fruits offering at their harvest. These instructions apply also to the foreigner who sojourns with them.

Then the chapter talks about sins done in ignorance. These sins will be atoned by means of a sacrifice. But those sins done out of willful defiance will be meted out severely. The offender will be cut off.

Then the chapter presents an instance of a man who willfully defied the law of the Sabbath. He was put to death by stoning.

Then God told Israel to put upon the edges of their garments an ornament of twisted threads. Every ornament must have a blue chord in it. It would serve as a reminder to them about keeping God's commandments.

The following is not in the chapter but an interpretation. The color blue pointed them to the sky. It reminded them that they are under the government of heaven.

Numbers 14

Here in this chapter we read of Israel murmuring and mourning in unbelief their imagined plight. They suggested that they would choose a leader who lead them back to Egypt. Then Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage the people but they (the people) thought of stoning them. God intervened by appearing in glory.

The Lord was about to destroy Israel for their unbelief and make a new nation out from Moses. But Moses interceded for the people. God listened. But He would not allow the murmurers to enter the land.  They will die in the wilderness as they will journey in it for 40 years. Joshua and Caleb, however, were guaranteed of it including the little ones among the Israelites, whom they feared, in their unbelief, would die in their attempt to possess the land. Then God sent a plague and killed off all the 10 unbelieving spies.

The people realized and mourned their folly now decided to take the land. But God was not with them and so they were defeated.

Numbers 13

Here in this chapter we read of 12 men from each tribe of Israel sent to spy out and explore the Promise Land. They returned and reported that the land was desirable but its inhabitants were frightful. They gave a bad report of the land and discouraged Israel from entering.

Only two of the twelve spies, namely, Caleb and Joshua also called here as Hoshea, encouraged the people to go and move forward and possess the land.

Numbers 12

Here in this chapter we read of Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses on account of his Cushite wife. Apparently, Moses' first wife died and he remarried. Only intermarriage with Canaanites was forbidden.

It appears that Miriam was jealous of Moses' wife. Miriam was the leader of the women in Israel, and now, she seems threatened by the wife of Moses. Thus, she influenced Aaron, and both of them murmured against Moses. But Moses, a man of tremendous humility, did nothing to defend himself.

The Lord heard all about it and He called out Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the tent of meeting. There, the Lord vindicated Moses. Moses was different from all other prophets. He speaks to Moses face to face unlike others whom He only communicates through visions and dreams. Miriam and Aaron should have recognized the position and authority of Moses.

As a result, God disciplined Miriam by turning her into a leper. The disease ate her up so much so that she looked like a half decomposed fetus that was still-born. Miriam was singled out because she, apparently, took the lead in speaking against Moses.

Aaron confessed their sin and cried out to Moses to intercede. Moses did so but was told that Miriam must be separated for seven days and be received back again afterwards.

Numbers 11

Here in this chapter we read of Israel complaining about their circumstances in the hearing of the Lord. The Lord sent them fires of judgment which devoured some of them. The people cried out to Moses and when he interceded for them the fires died out.

Then some of the foreigners who went with Israel became discontented about the Lord's provision of manna. They craved for the food they ate back in Egypt. They then infected and influenced the people of Israel to do the same.

It was too much for Moses. He could hear the chorus of people sinfully weeping about their situation. He poured out his complaint to the Lord saying his charge was unbearable. He fell into desperation. To deal with this situation, God appointed the 70 elders of Israel to help Moses govern the people of Israel. To deal with the complaint of the people, God promised them meat for a full month to eat.

Then the Holy Spirit came upon all the 70 elders of Israel, and they all prophesied. Moses was only too glad to learn about it.

Then God sent the people quails to satisfy their craving. It came abundantly. But along with it came the judgment of God. A severe plague broke out among the people and people died because of it.

Numbers 10

Here we read of Moses giving directions about the trumpets. Certain distinct calls of the trumpets would indicate to Israel as to whether they or their leaders would gather in one place or for Israel to prepare for a march or for Israel to be ready for conflict or for Israel's celebration of feasts.

Then we read of Israel's departure from Sinai to Paran. Israel departed from Sinai according to the marching pattern given by God in chapter 2.

Moses invited his brother-in-law to act as their human guide. At first, he declined, but, later on, he apparently agreed. God oftentimes employs human agents to participate in the work.

The journey to Paran took three days.

Then we read of Moses' prayer in connection with their journey. When Israel journeyed, Moses prayed that God would go before them and scatter their enemies. When Israel stayed and rested, he prayed that God would dwell with them in their midst.

Numbers 9

All Israelites including foreigners who sojourned with Israel were commanded to keep the Passover. If there were others who could not keep the Passover because they were ceremonially unclean or because they were away on a journey at the appointed time, a second Passover celebration, the following month, was to be observed.

A cloud, the visible sign of God's presence among Israel, guided Israel's journey. They moved when it moved. They stayed when it stayed.

Numbers 8

Instructions are given to set the lamps on the lampstand properly so as to throw light in the Holy Place as it should

Then it is followed by instructions concerning the dedication and consecration of the Levites to their service in the tabernacle.

Numbers 7

The tribal leaders of Israel gave generously at the dedication of the tabernacle, with each of them donating the same amount.

Numbers 6

A person who voluntarily vows to be a Nazirite for a time must completely devote himself to the service of the Lord. Separation, devotion and consecration to the Lord must mark his days until the specified period of time has expired. Then, he is to offer sacrifices to the Lord at the end of it all.

The chapter ends with a beautiful benediction.

Numbers 5

In this chapter, we read of three things:

First, the importance of purity from defilement.

Second, the need for rectitude and responsibility in the case of wrongdoing.

Third, the supernatural test for determining the faithfulness or the lack thereof of one's partner. This test was applicable only to Israel then.

Numbers 4

We read in this chapter about God specifically assigning the respective tasks of the Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites with regards to the tabernacle service.

A census of each tribe is taken in order to precisely number the men who are appointed by God to the work. The work is strictly not free for all. It is strictly confined to the tribes mentioned above.

God is an exact God and a God of order. He is not the author of confusion. God's work should be done with order and organization. Each has his designated area of service in the work of the tabernacle.

May God's local churches around the world learn! May each Christian discover his or her spiritual gift or gifts so that he or she could function where God wants him or her in the church.

Numbers 3

Aaron and his four sons were annointed priests by God, with Aaron as the first high priest in Israel. But Nadab, the firstborn and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord and were killed. And so, the remaining sons of Aaron, namely, Eleazar and Ithamar served as priest in the lifetime of Aaron.

To assist and support Aaron and his sons, God appointed the tribe of the Levi for the work in the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were of the tribe of Levi but only Aaron and his sons were appointed to serve as priests from that tribe.

Actually, the Levites substituted all the firstborn in Israel. When God delivered all the firstborn of Israel at the Passover judgment in Egypt, He claimed for Himself all the firstborn as His special possession. But God made a provision that instead of the firstborn in all Israel, He would take for Himself the tribe of Levi instead.


God commanded Moses to count the tribe of Levi starting from male babies a month old upwards. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

From the families of Gershon, the count reached 7,500. The Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle to the west. Their job was to look after the curtains and hangings in the tabernacle.

From the families of Kohath, the count reached 8,600. The Kohathties were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. Their job was to look after the furnitures, the vessels and the veil of the tabernacle.

From the families of Merari, the count reached 6,200. The Merarites were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. Their job was to look after the timber, the metal parts, the framework and the fence that surround the tabernacle.

Moses, Aaron and his sons were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east side.

All in all, the Levites were 22,000 in population. But when Moses was commanded to total the number of firstborn sons in Israel from a month old upwards, the total exceeded that of the Levites---there were 22,273 firstborn sons in Israel.

Again, the Levites were the substitutes of the firstborn sons in Israel on a one to one basis. This means that 273 firstborn sons had no substitutes and were still therefore under obligation to serve God in the tabernacle service. To deal with the situation, the 273 had to be redeemed, ransom money was given, thereby redeeming the unsubstituted firstborn sons.

Numbers 2

Here in this chapter we read of the arrangement of the tribes of Israel and the tabernacle when they are to camp and when they are to march and journey.

If you look at it from the top, the formation of the tribes of Israel would look like a cross with the tabernacle at the center. Discipline and order marked Israel as they camped and journeyed.

The tabernacle was set up in such a way that its entrance was facing east and the back end of it was facing west. If you look at it from the top, east would be on the right side, while, west, would be on the left side. Imagine a rectangle set horizontally from your vantage point. The right end of it would be east, while the left end of it would be west.

Four groups with a leading tribe would encamped each side of the tabernacle. Each group would be composed of three tribes with one tribe as the leader. Each side would have a flag bearing the name of the leading tribe on it.

Again, looking at it from the top, on the right side or on the east of the tabernacle, the tribes that would be camping are Judah (the leading tribe) Issachar and Zebulun. Their total armies are 186,400. Should they break camp and journey, this group would go first.

On the south side, the tribes that would be camping are Reuben (the leading tribe) Simeon and Gad. Their total armies are 151,450. Should they break camp and journey, this group would go second.

On the west side, to the left of the tabernacle, the tribes that would be camping are Ephraim (the leading tribe) Manasseh and Benjamin. Their total armies are 108,100. This group would go third.

On the north side, the tribes that would be camping are Dan (the leading tribe) Asher and Napthali. Their total armies are 157,600.

All in all their armies number 603550.

The Levites would camp on the three sides of the tabernacle nearer than that of the other tribes with Moses and company camping at the entrance of the tabernacle. As they march and journey, looking at it from the top, the tabernacle would be in the middle of the procession, with the first and second group before it and the third and fourth group behind it.

Numbers 1

Here in this chapter we read of Moses and Aaron, with the respective twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel, counting the number of people, who were male from twenty years old and upward, who were able to go to war in Israel. The total number from each tribe was 603,550.

The Levites were exempted from the census since they were assigned to work in the tabernacle. They were, therefore, exempt from military service. They (the Levites) were to camp around the tabernacle while the other tribes were to camp farther out. This arrangement would keep the other tribes from intruding into the tabernacle and thus prevent the wrath of God from breaking out against them.