The Levites Who Served at the Tabernacle (A Modified Talk on Numbers)

Jehovah has long used men to serve in responsible positions. While Israel had 12 tribes that composed the nation, one particular tribe that supplied men to work at the tabernacle, and later at the temple was the tribe of Levi. Numbers 3:11-13 explains why Jehovah used these men:

Read the verses, then:

Jehovah saved the firstborn sons of Israel when he executed Egypt's firstborn males. Because Jehovah saved the firstborn males of Israel, he could have demanded that all firstborn males serve at his sanctuary. But instead of using all firstborn Israelite males, Jehovah allowed certain non-Levite males to be redeemed for a ransom price of 5 shekels each, then he designated Aaron's family (Moses' brother) to serve in the priesthood: the other Levites assisted at Jehovah's sanctuary (the tabernacle and later, at the temple in Jerusalem).

The Levitical privileges are discussed in Numbers 3:25, 26, 31, 36-37. (Read)

The Levites were composed of 3 families and Jehovah designated a place for each family of Levi's tribe. One family camped in front of the tabernacle to the east, whereas other Levite families camped to the south, west, and north sides of the tabernacle. In this way, we not only learn about the privileges that the tribes held, but also how organized they were. This organized arrangement was all due to Jehovah's backing and spirit. What a God of order he is.

As part of their assigned duties, the Levites would set up, dismantle, and carry the tabernacle through the wilderness. Each family of the tribe had the responsibility to carry parts of the tabernacle. The Levitical tribe stayed busy, but just how long were their duties carried out? Let's read Numbers 4:46-48.

The males in Aaron’s family did priestly duties while the rest of the Levites assisted them: these servants of Jehovah cared for their full duties between 30-50 years of age before retiring from mandatory services. Likewise, in the Christian congregation today, some responsible men care for weighty spiritual concerns, while others perform necessary matters to help the overseers.

Consider the two pictures in the workbook.