In Numbers 1, God commanded Moses to number all the families of Israel, every male, 20 years old and upward that were able to go to war, vs 2,3. Each tribe had a leader, who was one renowned of the congregation, and a prince of the tribe of their fathers, and heads of thousands in Israel, vs 16.

This was done to prepare the people to go to war. So, here we see a shift from what God did in the beginning when they left Egypt.

In Exodus 13:17,18, we are told that God did not lead them through the land of the Philistines lest they have to face war, and therefore, turn back to Egypt in fear. However, at that time, He led them through the way of the Red Sea so that He could display His mighty power through the miracles He performed on their behalf so that their faith could be strengthened. However, now he desired that they be trained to go to war with their enemies and conquer land as a result.

This shows us that in the beginning of our Christian lives, we may experience many miraclous deliverances because at that time we are not mature enough to fight against the principalities and power of darkness on our own, since we may not even be knowledgeable or well versed with the Word of God.

However, as the years go by, God expects us to grow in maturity and walk by faith and not by sight and, therefore, He desires us to get the victory over various trials by fighting the good fight of faith based ona His Word.

This enables us to grow in character, as well as, get to know God and His Son Jesus Christ through a personal intimacy with the Godhead and through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

In Numbers 2, we see that special positions were given to each tribe of Israel around the tabernacle which would move forward with the camp of the Levites that was to be set in the midst of the camp, vs 7.

Only the tribe of Levi were not numbered because they were given the responsibility to look after the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it, so that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel, Numbers 1:49,50,53. Thus we see as part of the body of Christ, each one of us has a specific place and a specific part to play therein.

And as we take pains to know that place and fulfill our calling accordingly, on being faithful in little, God will surely entrust us with much.

Let not of us be like that wicked and lazy slave and bury our gifts and talents because we possess a wrong understanding of our God!

The sons of Levi, viz. Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari were also given specific duties to do with regard to the tabernacle and on behalf of the sons of Israel, Numbers 3.

No one had the right to do what seemed good to them, if it went against the particular place and specific duties that God had given them to do.

The Lord took the the Levites for Himself instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel, Numbers 3:41.

The excess of the first born of the sons of Israel over the Levites had to be redeemed by payment to money, which was to be collected and handed over to Aaron and his sons, vs 47-51.

Thus the Lord Himself makes provision for those He appoints to serve Him in a righteous and clear-cut manner.

As each of us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in line with God’s Word, there will be peace and harmony in the body of Christ, with holiness and purity as the foundation. This will enable the Church to go forward in the power and authority of Christ and successfully take over the victory and eternal inheritance that is already ours in Christ.

And thus, we will be part of the Church that Jesus, Himself, is building, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail!

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.