18:1-7
As is the way with the book of Numbers, dramatic incidents are interspersed with rules and regulations, and this chapter focuses on duties of priests and levites.
Aaron and his sons were to guard the inner sanctuary, as were the priests. The Levites who were not priests were to guard the exterior parts of the tent. Now we don’t have all this stuff these days and may wonder what its relevance is, well there are a number of ways in which it is relevant. Perhaps the most important is that it is God who decides who and how He can be approached. Look at false teachings and other rebellions and they often focus on thinking that we can decide how God is to be approached, and who can approach Him. God has said quite clearly that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can be justified, there is no other way.
18:8-20
The priests received their “income” from the sacrifices and offerings made by the people. People in their households, who were clean, were also allowed to eat the food. The firstborn of man and of unclean animals had to be redeemed, which was done at the price of five shekels. The firstborn of clean animals did not need to be redeemed. It is interesting that man is grouped with unclean animals! The reference to a “covenant of salt” indicates the permanence of the agreement.
The Levites were to have no inheritance in the land, the Lord was their portion. In Gen 15:1 God said to Abraham that He was Abraham’s shield and very great reward.
No comments:
Post a Comment