Why was the tribe of Levi not counted among the twelve tribes around the tabernacle?
Levi was not counted among the twelve tribes around the tabernacle because it was the priestly tribe. Joseph was also omitted, since his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, took his place as two half-tribes. Levi therefore received no tribal inheritance; the priests lived in a central area and depended on the offerings and tithes of the other tribes.
Les explains that the twelve tribes around the tabernacle include the two sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, who take Joseph's place, so Joseph is left out. Levi is also left out because Levi was the priestly tribe. That prevents thirteen tribes around the perimeter and keeps the number at twelve. Years later, when they entered the Promised Land, Levi still did not have an inheritance. Instead, the priests had a central area around Jerusalem to live in, and they were entitled to what came in from all the other tribes. Les compares this to God's servants today, who depend largely on the offerings, tithes, and gifts of believer friends.