Num. 18-19 (18:1-7,25-32), Responsibility of Priests, Levites

We put these two chapters together because they can be easily summarized.  However, do not take that to mean there are not some important things here.

·       18:1-7: After Num. 17, where Aaron is confirmed as the only High Priest in Israel, we see here what it means to be “High Priest.”  Aaron, and his sons after him, must bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary and their priesthood.  In other words, they are responsible to make sure all the appropriate rules and regulations are kept with regard to Israel’s worship.  The people were afraid they would die for violations against the sanctuary (17:12-13); but the priests also needed to have a deep respect, as we learned in Leviticus 8-10 in the death of Aaron’s oldest sons.  If they fulfilled their responsibilities, then they would know that God had given, your priesthood to you as a gift for service (v7).

·       18:8-20: Here we see how the priests were to be supported, through the offerings of Israel and the firstfruits of harvest.  As Prov. 3:9 reminded Israel, Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.  Honoring the LORD meant providing for the servants of the sanctuary.  At the time of the second temple, Nehemiah worked hard to help the people understand this responsibility (Neh. 10:32-39; 12:44-47; 13:10-14).

·       18:21-24: Here, this provision is extended also to the Levites.

·       18:25-32: And here, the Levites were required to give a tithe of what they received and give it to the priests.  Yes, in the Church, the pastor/elder/overseer is also called on to be generous with the Lord.

·       19:1-22: This passage explains the use of the ashes of a red heifer for cleansing of those who have become unclean.  In terms of the context, this may have been the Lord’s answer to the fear of the people back in 17:12-13 (so says Matthew Henry).  Others see this as making a distinction between certain practices in Egypt and the worship of God’s people (so says Jameson, et.al.).  We do know that the killing of the red heifer was not as a sacrifice for sin because it was not done at the altar.  The point was to gain the ashes that would be used in ceremonial purification.  As for the connection with Christ, Heb. 9:11-14 is clear.  If the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ … cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?