35All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting,
36counted by clans, were 2,750.
37This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.
l
- P134
38The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families.
39All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting,
40counted by their clans and families, were 2,630.
41This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.
- P134
42The Merarites were counted by their clans and families.
43All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting,
44counted by their clans, were 3,200.
45This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses. - P135
47All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting
48numbered 8,580.
49At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the Lord commanded Moses. - P135
Moses completes the census of the Levite clans, counting the Kohathites,
Gershonites, and Merarites. The Kohathites, responsible for the sacred items ofthe tabernacle, number 2,750; the Gershonites, responsible for the coverings,
number 2,630; and the Merarites, responsible for the structure, number 3,200.
Each clan‘s duties are organized for transporting the tabernacle. - P135
Dismantling, carrying, and setting up the tent are physically demanding tasks, and there are strict rules to be followed throughout the process. The fact that all men between the ages of thirty and fifty are counted tells us that God calls everyone to be trained to handle the work He assigns them, and He desires them to grow in their roles. - P136
Similarly, God calls each of us today to be workers in His kingdom. Though our tasks will require physical, mental, and spiritual training, it is worthwhile to be counted among those who serve in God’s kingdom. - P136
None are excluded from these responsibilities, and all of this is for the benefit of the entire community. In Numbers 3:11–13, God explicitly calls the Levites to be His own. They are set apart for His service. As a result, each one is counted, and none are exempt from fulfilling God’s commands. - P136
Today, we serve as God’s priests in our own communities and society. We are all accounted for before God and committed to His purpose. - P136
May we never forget that each of us is precious in His sight, and let us faithfully carry out the good works He has assigned to us. - P136
Some were thriving, while others faced greaterchallenges. But in all of it, I kept thinking, "God truly works through theobedience and dedication of His missionaries."
- P137
A friend of mine recently told me that his dad, who served as a missionary,
While some missionaries retire, others continue theis retiring thisyear.
work God has entrusted to us. Let us remember this and look beyondourselves to see the bigger picture God is painting through His people inthe world. - P137
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to be Your own and setting me apart for Your kingdom’s work. - P137
May I be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for the responsibilities You have entrusted to me, and may You use me to bless the community and society around me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P137
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