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Numbers Chapter Four

1. Specific instructions for the Kohathite services are spelled out (Num. 4:1-20).
   1. A service enrollment was conducted, from age 30 to 50, for spiritual service to the Lord (Num. 4:3).
   2. Out of the 8,600 Kohathites from 1 month of age and up (Num. 3:28), 2,750 were of an age for Levitical service (Num. 4:36).
   3. Elaborate procedures were in place for the Kohathites in carrying the holy objects without endangering their lives in the process (Num. 4:5-20).
   4. Eleazar was specifically tasked with overseeing the Kohathite endeavors (Num. 4:16).
2. Specific instructions for the Gershonite services are spelled out (Num. 4:21-28).
   1. Out of the 7,500 Gershonites from 1 month of age and up (Num. 3:22), 2,630 were of an age for Levitical service (Num. 4:40).
   2. Ithamar was specifically tasked with overseeing the Gershonite endeavors (Num. 4:28).
3. Specific instructions for the Merarite services are spelled out (Num. 4:29-33).
   1. Out of the 6,200 Merarites from 1 month of age and up (Num. 3:34), 3,200 were of an age for Levitical service (Num. 4:44).
   2. Ithamar was specifically tasked with overseeing the Merarite endeavors (Num. 4:33).

Numbers Chapter Five

1. As Israel was preparing to set out from Sinai, they were required to enforce the separation between clean and unclean (Num. 5:1-4).
2. Israel was instructed in how to restore fellowship between men—the process of human restitution and human reconciliation (Num. 5:5-10).
3. Israel was instructed in the Law of Jealousy (Num. 5:11-31).
   1. This ritual was a highly specialized mechanism for investigating a potential case of adultery.
   2. The initiation of this ritual was a response to a spirit of jealousy coming upon a husband.  רוּחַ־קִנְאָה ruach-qin’ah.
      1. In the case of an innocent wife, the spirit of jealousy is obviously a deceiving spirit (1st Kgs. 22:22,23).
      2. In the case of a guilty wife, the spirit of jealousy is used by the Lord to bring the hidden shameful things to light (Ecc. 12:14; 1st Cor. 4:5).
   3. The nature of the ritual was of God revealing His will through the mediation of His priesthood on behalf of man—not a pagan trial by ordeal.