Sermon and Worship Resources

Num 3:1–4:49

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... (Lev. 8:30). 3:4 Nadab and Abihu . . . died. See Leviticus 10:1–7. 3:6–10 the tribe of Levi . . . perform duties . . . take care of. The Hebrew behind “perform duties” (shamar mishmeret [v. 7]) is better rendered “keep guard” (ESV ... worship of the golden calf while the Levites had supported Moses in opposition to it (so Rashi), God chooses to set apart the tribe of Levi instead of the firstborn sons for sacred duties (v. 12; cf. Exod. 32:29). See also comments at 3:40–51 below. 3:15–39 ...

77. War against Midian

Num 31:1-54

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... . 2. God rewards his faithful soldiers. God grants the Israelite soldiers half of the spoils captured from Midian (Num. 31:25–40). As an expression of gratitude to God, one five-hundredth from the soldiers’ portion goes to the priests as a “tribute” (or “levy” [ESV]) for Yahweh, while one-fiftieth is taken from Israel’s portion and given to the Levites. We, like these Israelite soldiers, should give back to God a portion of the blessings that he grants us. It is still God who grants blessings ...

78. Jacob, Leah, and Rachel

Gen 29:15--30:24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of chapter 27. The perpetrator of deceit is now the victim of deceit. Jacob surely wondered why Laban did not offer the explanation found in verse 26 earlier. But no trickster can let the cat out of the bag prematurely. Leah gives birth to four sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah (29:31–35). Jacob never names the children. Leah does, and the significance of each name is explained by a Hebrew phrase that contains a word or words that sound like the proper name. Most intriguing here are the births of ...

79. Jacob Blesses His Sons

Genesis 49:1-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , is disqualified from the rights of primogeniture because of his earlier incestuous behavior (35:22). Eventually the Reubenites settled in the Transjordan as one of the minor tribes. Simeon and Levi lose out because of their violence against the Shechemites (chap. 34). Indeed, Simeon was absorbed into Judah, and Levi was dispersed among the other tribes. These are the only three sons whose fate in Genesis 49 is explicitly connected with earlier material in the Genesis narrative. They provide a further ...

80. Military Organization

Numbers 1:1-54

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Pentateuch, which places a premium on the valuation of males twenty to sixty years of age, based on their capacity for work benefiting the sanctuary (1:3). Following a tally of men in each tribe, except for Levi, the grand total is 603,550 (1:46). If we add younger and infirm males, the tribe of Levi (22,000 aged a month old and upward; Num. 3:39), the “mixed multitude” that left Egypt with the Israelites (Exod. 12:38), and a corresponding number of females, the total population under the leadership of ...

81. God’s Chosen People Among the Nations

1 Chronicles 1:1-54

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the Transjordanian tribes (4:24–5:26) with the northern tribes (7:1–40), acknowledging in this way the inclusion of these regions in the definition of All-Israel. The central nexus of this structure is, then, the genealogies of the tribe of Levi (6:1–81), emphasizing the special position of the Levites in the Chronicler’s view. I will use a structure that differs somewhat from the one suggested above (to correlate with the NIV pericope divisions), but the above description shows that the genealogies ...

82. Clans to Run the Temple

1 Chronicles 23:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... foundational clans of Levites, each reviewed in order, with Gershon in 23:7–11, Kohath in verses 23:12–20, and Merari in 23:21–23; the list ends with a summary in 23:24. The roots of the priestly line of Aaron within the tribe of Levi are identified in 23:13, although a fuller account is not provided until chapter 24. First Chronicles 23:13 identifies four roles for the Aaronide priests: consecration of most holy things (Exod. 28:38; Lev. 22:2–3), offering of sacrifices (Lev. 6:8–7:38), ministry ...

83. The Knowledge of God

Malachi 2:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . He puts them in the same class as dung (NIV 1984 “offal,” 2:3), which was removed from the temple to be burned. The language is strong, but so is God’s feeling about the priests. The curse stands in contrast to the covenant God made with Levi (2:4–7). The original covenant was made with Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, after he demonstrated his loyalty to the Lord (Num. 25:12–13). The purpose of the covenant was not curse but life and peace. However, “life and peace” were conditioned on the ...

84. The Temple Tax

Matthew 17:24-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... rigidly this was followed in the first century. When questioned by the collectors of this tax whether his teacher pays it, Peter responds in the affirmative. Jesus then takes the situation as a teaching opportunity and uses the analogy of human kingship: while kings levy taxes, they do not tax their own offspring (17:25–26). In the same way, those who are children of the kingdom are exempt from taxation (17:27). Yet Jesus’s teaching and practice goes further: he will pay the tax to avoid causing others ...

85. Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... was an heir not by virtue of family lineage or works, but through the righteousness that comes by faith, that is, by grace. Paul could have alluded to the same motif in the life of Jesus. The call of Levi the tax collector manifestly illustrates the offense of grace (Mark 2:13–17). Had Levi been a former tax collector who had washed his hands of a dirty profession, his call might have been understandable. True, Jesus called him from tax collecting, but the call came while he was at his tax table, during ...

86. The Levites

Numbers 3:1-51

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Gershon and Merari each had two descendants, while Kohath had four. 3:21–26 The text now numbers the Levites according to the three sons of Levi and organizes them according to placement, task, and leader. (Note the diagram on p. 185.) The Gershonite clans were numbered at 7,500 (v. 22). They were stationed on the west of the tabernacle and were responsible for all the tent coverings, curtains, hangings, and ropes for the hangings. The ...

87. Duties of Priests and Levites

Numbers 18:1-7

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the consequences or punishment for any violation of the sanctuary. Priests and Levites are fully answerable in this area and must pay the penalty for any violations. 18:2 The verb join comes from the root lawah, which suggests a word play with lewi, Levi. The verb is passive. The Levites are joined to the priests. 18:5 The “you” addressed is most likely the priests, who enter the sanctuary, as opposed to priests and Levites. If both are included, the sanctuary would include the courtyard. 18:7 Inside ...

88. Moab Seduces Israel

Numbers 25:1-18

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... , indicating ordinary private quarters. 25:11 The covenant relationship between God and Israel is based on loyalty, and so God is zealous to maintain that loyalty. This zeal is sometimes pictured as God’s jealousy. 25:14 Mary Douglas ties the reference to Simeon, along with references to Reuben and Levi in ch. 16, to the last words of Jacob in Gen. 49:1–7, which suggest that Reuben, Simeon, and ...

89. Offerings for Priests and Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the consequences or punishment for any violation of the sanctuary. Priests and Levites are fully answerable in this area and must pay the penalty for any violations. 18:2 The verb join comes from the root lawah, which suggests a word play with lewi, Levi. The verb is passive. The Levites are joined to the priests. 18:5 The “you” addressed is most likely the priests, who enter the sanctuary, as opposed to priests and Levites. If both are included, the sanctuary would include the courtyard. 18:7 Inside ...

90. Moses Blesses the Tribe

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... emphasis of the longest of the blessings on Joseph (vv. 13–16) and the briefer sayings for Zebulun (v. 19), Gad (v. 21), Naphtali (v. 23), and Asher (v. 24c). The prime foci of the list are the two longer blessings on Levi and Joseph. The blessing on Levi is unusually long because, uniquely among the blessings, it gives historical reasons for the blessing and describes the two main functions of the priestly tribe (33:8–11). On at least two occasions of great apostasy among the people, the Levites had ...

91. To Noah's Sons

1 Chronicles 1:1-4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the Transjordanian tribes (4:24–5:26) with the northern tribes (7:1–40), acknowledging in this way the inclusion of these regions in the definition of All-Israel. The central nexus of this structure is, then, the genealogies of the tribe of Levi (6:1–81), emphasizing the special position of the Levites in the Chronicler’s view. I will use a structure that differs somewhat from the one suggested above (to correlate with the NIV pericope divisions), but the above description shows that the genealogies ...

92. The Japhethites

1 Chronicles 1:5-7

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the Transjordanian tribes (4:24–5:26) with the northern tribes (7:1–40), acknowledging in this way the inclusion of these regions in the definition of All-Israel. The central nexus of this structure is, then, the genealogies of the tribe of Levi (6:1–81), emphasizing the special position of the Levites in the Chronicler’s view. I will use a structure that differs somewhat from the one suggested above (to correlate with the NIV pericope divisions), but the above description shows that the genealogies ...

93. The Hamites

1 Chronicles 1:8-16

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the Transjordanian tribes (4:24–5:26) with the northern tribes (7:1–40), acknowledging in this way the inclusion of these regions in the definition of All-Israel. The central nexus of this structure is, then, the genealogies of the tribe of Levi (6:1–81), emphasizing the special position of the Levites in the Chronicler’s view. I will use a structure that differs somewhat from the one suggested above (to correlate with the NIV pericope divisions), but the above description shows that the genealogies ...

94. The Semites

1 Chronicles 1:17-27

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the Transjordanian tribes (4:24–5:26) with the northern tribes (7:1–40), acknowledging in this way the inclusion of these regions in the definition of All-Israel. The central nexus of this structure is, then, the genealogies of the tribe of Levi (6:1–81), emphasizing the special position of the Levites in the Chronicler’s view. I will use a structure that differs somewhat from the one suggested above (to correlate with the NIV pericope divisions), but the above description shows that the genealogies ...

95. Benjamin

1 Chronicles 7:6-12

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... (although not without deviations) becomes more apparent now. He started in Judah and moved to the south and southeast with Simeon. From there he moved northward on the Transjordanian side with Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He then discussed Levi, which is distributed over the whole land, and continued with the northern tribes Issachar and Naphtali. Now he is moving southward again on the western side of the Jordan with his discussions of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, until he arrives back in ...

96. Naphtali

1 Chronicles 7:13

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... (although not without deviations) becomes more apparent now. He started in Judah and moved to the south and southeast with Simeon. From there he moved northward on the Transjordanian side with Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He then discussed Levi, which is distributed over the whole land, and continued with the northern tribes Issachar and Naphtali. Now he is moving southward again on the western side of the Jordan with his discussions of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, until he arrives back in ...

97. Manasseh

1 Chronicles 7:14-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... (although not without deviations) becomes more apparent now. He started in Judah and moved to the south and southeast with Simeon. From there he moved northward on the Transjordanian side with Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He then discussed Levi, which is distributed over the whole land, and continued with the northern tribes Issachar and Naphtali. Now he is moving southward again on the western side of the Jordan with his discussions of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, until he arrives back in ...

98. Ephraim

1 Chronicles 7:20-29

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... (although not without deviations) becomes more apparent now. He started in Judah and moved to the south and southeast with Simeon. From there he moved northward on the Transjordanian side with Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He then discussed Levi, which is distributed over the whole land, and continued with the northern tribes Issachar and Naphtali. Now he is moving southward again on the western side of the Jordan with his discussions of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, until he arrives back in ...

99. Asher

1 Chronicles 7:30-40

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... (although not without deviations) becomes more apparent now. He started in Judah and moved to the south and southeast with Simeon. From there he moved northward on the Transjordanian side with Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He then discussed Levi, which is distributed over the whole land, and continued with the northern tribes Issachar and Naphtali. Now he is moving southward again on the western side of the Jordan with his discussions of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, until he arrives back in ...

100. Gershonites

1 Chronicles 23:7-11

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... some of the key verbs, is indicated as being the main figure in the narrative line. He makes Solomon, his son, king over Israel (23:1); he assembles the commanders, priests, and Levites (23:2); and he organizes them into divisions according to the sons of Levi (23:6). David is also the one organizing them in their appointed duties (24:3); he sets apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for special service (25:1); and he appoints officials (26:32). In concluding these lists (27:23) the Chronicler makes ...