Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 1:47-54.

“The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.  For the LORD had spoken to Moses, saying, “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.  But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it.  They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it;  they shall also camp around the tabernacle.  So when the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down;  and when the tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall set it up.  But the layman who comes near shall be put to death.  The sons of Israel shall camp, each man by his own camp, and each man by his own standard, according to their armies.  But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel.  So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.”  Thus the sons of Israel did;  according to all which the LORD had commanded Moses, so they did.”  Numbers 1:47-54.

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Why were the Levites not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe?

Numbers 26:62 gives the answer.  “… they were not numbered among the sons of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel.”  Numbers 26:62  

But, there is hope for the Levites!

“Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers;  the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God spoke to him.)”  Deuteronomy 10:9.

“Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them;  I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.”  Numbers 18:20.

“The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel;  they shall eat the LORD’S offerings by fire and His portion.  They shall have no inheritance among their countrymen;  the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.”  Deuteronomy 18:1-2.

“But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance;  the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them.”  Joshua 13:33.

But, there is hope for us too!

The inheritance given to the tribe of Levi points to the hope given to us, “A royal PRIESTHOOD”, that we too will receive the LORD as our inheritance. 

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

“5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Psalm 16:5-6.

“… In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:10-14.

“knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:24.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5.