Do Not Count The Tribe Of Levi

Numbers 1:49
“You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites.

In the book of Numbers chapter one, God orders Moses to take a census of the whole of Israel. The census is intended to give the leaders an idea of how many men of military capability are in Israel. The census was to list all men in Israel who are twenty years and older.

Immediately after crossing the Red sea, God orders Moses to take a census as seen in Exodus 30:11-16 and Exodus 38:25-31. This census was to have a record of who was saved from Egypt. Everyone was counted in this census. The other purpose of this census was to collect money to be used in the construction and maintenance of the Sanctuary. It was a census for taxation of sorts. The number obtained in this census showed that God had saved everyone from Egypt and none was lost!

The census in Numbers chapter one is important for many reasons. First, it gives the leaders an idea of the nation’s military capability and the available workforce. The nation was about to move to another location and it was important to be organized for ease of movement and for security reasons. The census was therefore for planning. Secondly, the census was to be useful in establishing that God fulfilled His word that those who doubted Him never made it to the Promised Land except Caleb and Joshua.

There was a census ordered by David that brought disaster to Israel. That census is recorded in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. This census was not ordered by God. The census in Exodus and Numbers were ordered by God. The Census in Exodus had a specific purpose – a record of salvation and construction of the Sanctuary. The census in Numbers had a specific purpose – organization for movement, military preparedness, and record that will verify that God’s word came to pass. This census ordered by David had bad intentions. The intentions of this census were to show their trust in their own military strength and not in God. The motive and purpose of the census were wrong. That is why God punished Israel severely for that mistake!

Luke chapter two records another census. This census was ordered by Caesar Augustus on behalf of the Roman government. This was a census ordered by a secular government and God’s people cooperated. We have no direct command from God to avoid census that is ordered by the government. It was during this census movement that Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. This census was to facilitate Roman taxation of the Jewish people since Israel was a colony of Rome. The census was for planning and taxation purposes.

Do not count the Levites is not a call to avoid census that government regularly calls for. All Christians are a kingdom of priests therefore levites. This command was for this particular time and not applying to even us Spiritual Levites. In the census just after the Red Sea the levites were counted. We should not therefore refuse to be counted during census falsely citing this text.

Now that we have an idea of the census as presented in various passages in scripture, we can now focus on the census in Numbers chapter one. Something unique here is that God tells Moses not to number the Levites. Levites were a tribe that was chosen to serve God at the Sanctuary. The Levites were not even given land as an inheritance, God said He is their inheritance, Deuteronomy 10:9.

Do not count the Levites because they are not yours, they belong to God. Do not plan and budget for resources that are not yours. God was telling the leaders to live within their means. The Levites are God’s and not yours, so plan for what is yours. Do not plan with what belongs to someone else. As we grow up, we stop planning on what belongs to our parents. Do not plan on a friend’s support. Do not plan on gifts you hope for. Do not plan for when you will have more money. Plan with what you now have. That is what God meant when he tells them, do not count the Levites!

Do not count the Levites also means that what belongs to God cannot be used by us. Levites were dedicated to God, do not plan as if they do not belong to God. Tithe and offerings are dedicated to God, do not plan your finances and include Tithes and offerings, those are not yours. In seven days, Sabbath belongs to God, do not plan your issues on that day. It is dedicated to God and it is His for His purposes. Do not count the Levites!

Do not count the Levites is a call to have accurate records. Accurate records inform better decision-making processes in leadership. This is a call to accurate records. Many of us would advance significantly if we only kept a record, an accurate record. An accurate record of your finances may reveal that you are wasting money on betting and gambling. An accurate record may reveal that most of your money is disappearing on impulse purchases. An accurate record may reveal that you spend too much time either sleeping or watching movies and so little on productivity. Have an accurate record of how you spend your time and money daily and everything will change. God tells Moses to be accurate by not including Levites in his plans. Do not count the Levites!

Do not count the Levites also means, mind your business. Levites are not your business, leave them alone. Do not poke your nose on a business that does not concern you. You will be happier and a better member of society if you mind your own business, 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Do not count the Levites!

Dear God, give us wisdom and help us to take a correct census of our time, resources, and life, Psalm 90:12. May we prosper as we implement the wisdom of this order not to number Levites, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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