Numbers Chapter 18
Aaron the high priest was of the tribe of Levi, and only the direct descendants of Aaron could serve as a priest. The Levite tribe was given the distinct honor of serving the priests, the congregation of Israel and God. This role was passed on to their offspring so that the Levite tribe was known always in connection with the tabernacle. Each had their separate responsibilities and God made it clear that the Levites were not to try to assume the role of a priest. The boundaries were set. The office of priest and especially the high priest was a sacred office. They were God’s representatives, men set apart to do His calling. This calling of God had been very visibly demonstrated by the budding of the staff of Aaron in chapter 17.
The priests were supported by the sacrificial gifts of the people. They received a portion of the meats and the grains and the oils. This allowed the family of the priests to be taken care of. The Levites were given a salary from God. The people brought their tithes to the tabernacle and the Levites were paid for their services by God. The main responsibility of the Levites was to act as guardians over the tabernacle and the priests. It had already been demonstrated that their role was crucial in preventing rebellions that might bring harm to God’s anointed.
Let's Reflect
1. What would happen to any outsider who tried to come near the inner areas of the tabernacle?
2. According to verse 12 what was God promising to give to the priests and their families?
3. All of Israel would get in the habit of giving the first fruits of everything they had back to the Lord. They would give of their best and give of their first fruits. God never required child sacrifice, but He did ask for the first born to be given to Him and then the parents would redeem their baby by giving a gift of money to the tabernacle. What age was a baby when the parents redeem him or her at the tabernacle?
4. A portion of the sacrificed cow, goat or sheep was waved before the Lord. This portion was waved to show acknowledgement for the gifts that God was giving to the priest’s family. The Bible says that the sacrifices were a sweet-smelling gift to Him, but He in turn gave the gifts to them. This was a covenant God made with Aaron and his descendants. What type of covenant did God call this?
“The cereal grain offering, as described in Leviticus 2:1-13 and Leviticus 6:14-23, was an unleavened mixture of fine flour, oil, and incense. A memorial portion was burned on the altar as a sweet aroma to the Lord, and the remainder was eaten by the Aaronic priests.” [Cole]
5. The priests would have no inheritance in the promised land. What did God say would be their inheritance?
6. The Levite tribe also would not have an inheritance of land. What would be the inheritance of the Levites?
7. From the tithe that was collected the Levites were to do what?
8. The last verse in this chapter explains the grave responsibility that these men had to the gifts given of the people to the Lord. They would not be allowed to just collect gifts from the people and not serve. They could not just be lazy. The people of Israel were giving the best of what they had to the Lord and the Levites were expected to give of their best. What would be the judgement of a Levite who did not follow this instruction?
