Numbers 18 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
There is quite a bit of material that is repeated from earlier books in the Torah. But notice that the tribe of Levi is responsible for the sanctuary. Levi is a gift to Israel (v. 7). One could also understand verse 7 to read the Levites are a gift to Aaron and the priests. The priests are assigned certain duties and the rest of the Levites are to assist them.
This may help. One of the sons of Jacob is Levi. He had three sons. Aaron is a descendant of the Levi’s son Kohath. As was Miriam and Moses. The other Levites were divided into three groups: Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites. Aaron’s descendants, the Kohanhim, were the priests yet as you can see are still Levites.
Levi + Adinah
Gershom Kohath Merari
Jochebed + Amram Izhar Hebron Uzziel
Miriam Aaron Moses
So, the Levites had a different calling than the priests. They were involved with singing Psalms, construction, and maintenance of the temple, serving as guards and during the time of Numbers, and moving the tabernacle. Among the many tasks they had, they also read and taught the Scriptures. But these Levites were not priests. All priests were Levites but not all Levites were priests. Yet being from the tribe of Levi was an honor and a blessing to the Levites to be able to serve God’s people and the Aaronic priests.
The tithes of this young nation went to the priests as we see in vs. 8ff. Since the Levites were given no land inheritance (v. 20), they were amply supplied with the offerings, tithes, and could eat the sacrificial animals and grains. Notice that in some cases only the priests were to eat (vs. 8-10). But in verse 11, the wave offering could be given to the priest’s family. As well as in v. 12, the oil, wine, grain, and other first fruits could be consumed by the priest’s family.
In vs. 21-24, the Levites were given their various task, including protecting the tent, “lest they bear sin and die” (v. 21). How would you like such a holy God in your camp? If you did not obey His commands, you could die. As readers of the Bible, we need to remember that saying God is holy means He is not tame. People died because they disobeyed Him.
In vs. 25ff, the Levites were commanded to tithe what they received (“a tithe of the tithe v. 26). Their tithe was given to Aaron. Yet, the Levites were told (v. 32) in no uncertain terms, “But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.” They were to protect the people from dishonoring the tabernacle and therefore God. But they were to follow God’s will and word in all that they did serving as priests.
It may be that you wonder why some people, even now, are given prominence. There are very few people that speak into the microphone on a Sunday morning church service. Does that mean those who do are more spiritually mature? That they are more important to the church? Look at Numbers 17. Isn’t this what Korah, Dathan, and Abiram thought? “For all in the congregation are holy . . . Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
Let’s slow down and examine Korah’s words. First, he said to Moses and Aaron, “You have gone too far!” They have done something? Moses had left Egypt. For Moses, Egypt was in his past while he was in Midian. He had a new profession, a brand-new family, and a totally new place to live where he put down roots. He was not sending out his resume or hinting to his friends back in Egypt that he would like to return to slavery. God called him. God commissioned Moses. God initiated. And God brought Moses back to Egypt.
“For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them” The last phrase is certainly true. The first and second are debatable. They are set apart but they were certainly not godly. And Korah is example #1. He would be dead soon.
“Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” According to Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Moses, in these chapters of Numbers is often falling on his face interceding for the Israelites (14:5; 16:4, 22, 45; 20:6 . . . ). Moses is patient and humble. He is often interceding for them and pleading to God on their behalf. Moses was fulfilling His calling by leading.
We have Someone who is pleading to God the Father on our behalf. But this Priest is not from the tribe of Levi or a descendant of Aaron. His priesthood is an eternal priesthood and His sacrifice is a-once-and-for-all never-to-be-repeated offering. Because He gave a perfectly sinless offering: His very own body. And He ever lives to make intercession for us. His prayers are weightier than Moses since He is God, the Son praying on our behalf to God, the Father.
In the midst of judgment is mercy. God is judging people all around you and yet by God’s grace you find favor and blessing in Jesus Christ. You did nothing except commit the sin that demanded His sacrifice. Christ did it all. All you must do is receive Him by faith. We are accepted, forgiven, and dearly loved by God because He sent His willing Son to die for our sins. And God the Spirit comes to us in power with God’s power to change our hearts, minds, and wills. What a glorious gift we have in Christ.
Father, help me to see who you truly are in the Bible. As you tear down the idol I tend to worship help me see who You are. Let me grasp a tiny fraction of Your holiness, justice, love, mercy, and tenderness. You are so lovely, so beautiful, so deep, and rich. You satisfy us with You. And we long to be in Your presence. In Christ’s name. Amen.