Numbers 18

The Lord gave the Old Testament priesthood as a gift to Aaron and his descendants. He reaffirmed the exclusiveness of this gift by causing Aaron's staff to blossom in the previous chapter. But the gift of the priesthood was not entirely safe. The danger of death was everywhere.

There were blessings connected with this sacred job. Certain portions of offerings belonged to the priests, as well as many other gifts for the care of the priestly families. But everything had to be done strictly in accord with the ceremonial laws that the Lord had spoken, and the priests and Levites did not have the same kind of tribal inheritance in the land that would be given to the rest of Israel. God was to be their portion.

As a tribe, the Levites had the danger of proximity to the work of the priests. They also had the privilege of the provision of the tithes of Israel. The tithes were their inheritance. But what if people would not pay their tithes?

A tithe of the tithes would go from the Levites to the sons of Aaron, the priests. The Levites were to give away the first and the best to the priests, just as others were to give the first and the best to them.

The leadership of Levi and of the Aaronic priesthood was an essential part of Old Testament ceremonial life. God would not allow the other tribes to do what he had given only to Aaron and to the Levites to perform.

With this special life came provision. But that provision was dependent upon the obedience of the nation. Also with this holy life came substantial danger. This chapter ends with the sobering statement, “But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.”

To draw near to a just God without the protection of an acceptable atonement was extremely dangerous. Who could stand if God had come to judge? Who would be able to trust when the people grumbled and complained? Would there even be significant enough provision to keep the work of the sanctuary going?

But all this was nothing when compared with the challenges that faced our High Priest when He came to die for our sins. His life was His offering to God for us, and He freely gave it. He did not have a place to lay His head, yet He trusted perfectly in the One who judges justly, and who promises to supply all our needs.

This is the true Priest, and the Servant of the Lord. His name and His cross have become our boast. In His faith and obedience there is a light that guides us. In His resurrection we have a very secure hope.