Numbers chapter 3 discusses the duties and census of the Levites.

1. Verses 1-4: These verses list Aaron’s sons and mention that two of them, Nadab and Abihu, died for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord.

• Life Application: Obedience to God’s specific instructions is crucial.

1. Verses 5-13: God commands Moses to bring the tribe of Levi to Aaron the priest to serve him. God also takes the Levites as His own in place of all the firstborn of Israel.

• Life Application: God has a purpose for each group within His community, emphasizing the importance of roles and responsibilities.

1. Verses 14-39: This portion details the census of the Levite families (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) and their specific duties related to the tabernacle.

• Life Application: Every person has unique gifts and a calling within the larger mission of the community.

1. Verses 40-51: God instructs Moses to take a census of the firstborn males of Israel. The Levites are taken in place of the firstborn, and a redemption price is set for the number of firstborn that exceed the number of Levites.

• Life Application: Redemption is a core theme in the relationship between God and humanity, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption in Christ.

In life application, this chapter reminds believers of the importance of serving with the gifts given by God, the significance of redemption, and the need for obedience to God’s specific commands. It also underscores the theme of substitution, which is a precursor to the substitutionary atonement found in the New Testament.