February 27: Numbers 2:1 – Numbers 3:51

Arrangement of the Camp – Numbers 2

• God tells Moses how the camps are to be set up. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the camp.
• The tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun will be on the east side of the tabernacle and will lead the way whenever Israel travels to a new camp.
• The tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad will be on the south side of the tabernacle and will be second in line whenever Israel travels to a new camp. The Levites will follow them, carrying the tabernacle.
• The tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin will camp on the west side of the tabernacle and follow the Levites whenever Israel travels to a new camp.
• The tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali will camp on the north side of the tabernacle and will be the last in line whenever Israel travels to a new camp.

The Sons of Aaron – Numbers 3

• The sons of Aaron are given: Nadab and Abihu (who died when they offered an unauthorized sacrifice), Eleazer, and Ithamar.

Duties of the Levites

• God tells Moses that the Levites will take care of the tabernacle, and will belong to Him. 
• Moses is instructed to list the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses and clans: Gershon (clans Libni and Shimei), Kohath (clans Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel), and Merari (clans Mahli and Mushi). 
• The Gershonites camp on the west, guarding and carrying the coverings, hangings, and entrance screens of the tent and courtyard. The Kohathites camp on the south, guarding and carrying the items within the tabernacle sanctuary. The Merarites camp on the north, guarding and carrying the structural components of the tent and court. Moses and the priests camp on the east, guarding the tabernacle and protecting Israel.

Redemption of the Firstborn

• God tells Moses to list all the firstborn males of the people and animals of Israel. Total number of men and boys over one month old is 22,273.
• God tells Moses that the Levites are His (reserved as substitutes for the firstborns), and there are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than Levites, so Moses is to collect five shekels of silver for each of the extra 273 men to redeem them, and give the money to Aaron and his sons.