Today’s passage: Numbers 18
Helpful thoughts:
- After the confirmation of God’s selection of Aaron and his descendants for the priesthood and the tribe of Levi for the work of the tabernacle, God gives specific instruction and lays out the means of provision for these families.
- Another evidence of God’s setting apart of Aaron is that God chose to speak directly to Aaron to communicate these instructions. All of Israel was hearing the word of the Lord through Moses. To Aaron, the Lord (At this time) spoke directly.
- The Levites did not share in the land inheritances in Israel. Their inheritance was the Lord, their service to the Lord and the provisions their service brought (According to the rules in this chapter).
- Through their ministries, the Priests and Levites provided for themselves and their families.
- This necessitated their ongoing service, teaching and the faithfulness of God’s people to worship and give.
Questions to consider:
- In what ways was the seriousness of God’s regulations still conveyed in these instructions? What family alone were to serve in the Most Holy Place? Who all would see consequences if any other Levite violated that order? How was this mutual accountability a sign that the Levites were all in this together even though their roles were different?
- If the Levites stopped serving and teaching, if the priests stopped offering sacrifices, if the people stopped bringing their offerings and tithes to the tabernacle, what would have happened to the priesthood, the Levitical “inheritance” and the nation of Israel? (What did happen?)
- What is the nature of the faithfulness of our Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:23-28)? Why is it important that every member of the church do their part in worship, service and giving? Not just for church staff, but for the whole body?