February 28: Numbers 4:1 – Numbers 5:31

Duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites – Numbers 4

• God instructs Moses to record all the names of the Kohathites who are between the ages of thirty and fifty (total number 2,750), and can serve in the tabernacle. This clan will care for the most sacred objects. Eleazar will be responsible for lampstand oil, the fragrant incense, the grain offering, and the anointing oil.
• God tells Moses not to allow the Kohathite clan to be destroyed from among the Levites. Aaron and his sons must always go into the sanctuary with them and assign duties to each one so the Kohathites never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects alone.
• God instructs Moses to record all the names of the Gershonites who are between the ages of thirty and fifty (2,630), and can serve in the tabernacle. This clan will be responsible for general service and carrying loads, under the direction of Aaron and his sons.
• God instructs Moses to record all the names of the Merarites who are between the ages of thirty and fifty (3,200), and can serve in the tabernacle. This clan will be responsible only for carrying loads, under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron.

Unclean People – Numbers 5

• God instructs Moses to have the people put out of camp anyone who has a leprous disease or discharge, or who has come in contact with a dead body. The people do as instructed.

Confession and Restitution

• God tells Moses to instruct the people that when they do wrong to another and realize it, they must confess and make restitution, adding one-fifth and giving it to the one wronged. If the person wronged is dead and there is no next of kin for restitution to be paid to, the restitution is to go to the priests.

A Test of Adultery

• God tells Moses to instruct the people on the process to be followed if a man suspects his wife has been unfaithful. She is brought before the priests, bringing also a tenth of an ephah of flour, and the priest will have her stand trial before the Lord. He will pour into holy water some dust from the tabernacle floor, unbind her hair, and place in her hands the offering of proof (the jealousy offering to determine whether her husband's claims are true). The priest brings the jar of bitter water and tells her that if she has not committed adultery, may she be immune from the effects of the bitter water that brings the curse. But if she has been unfaithful, she will endure bitter suffering and infertility (her abdomen will swell and her womb will shrivel).