Pages

Thursday, 29 December 2022

Numbers 3:1-13 - The account of the family of Aaron

3:1-4

We start with the "generations of Aaron and Moses", though all the names mentioned here are Aaron's relations. All Aaron's sons are named, then we are reminded that the first two, Nadab and Abihu, died because they offered unauthorised fire (Lev 10:1,2). So it was just the latter two who served during Aaron's lifetime.


3:5-10

We now get a long section on the duties of the Levites. Numbers is the book which gives the most information on the Levites. The Levites were to assist Aaron and his sons, and were to protect the people. Leaders in the church are supposed to protect the people, and that includes helping them not to sin. For a minister to assist a member of the congregation in sinning, or to tell them that sin is OK, is a terrible thing to do. The Levites were also to guard the tabernacle, to protect the sacred things. They were given to Aaron and his sons. Outsiders were not allowed to come near the holy things.


3:11-13

When the plagues were being unleashed on Egypt the firstborn of Israel were spared and were dedicated to the Lord. After the golden calf incident, it was the Levites who rallied to Moses, and so to the Lord (Ex 32:25-29). Then the Levites were chosen to serve the Lord.


No comments:

Post a Comment