Numbers 18: The Responsibilities and Provisions for Priests and Levites
And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.
In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee.
And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.
All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe.
And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the Lord’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.
Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the Lord, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.
And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.
And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
Numbers 18 follows the challenging events of Numbers 16, where Korah's rebellion highlighted the importance of God's chosen leadership. This chapter provides crucial instructions regarding the responsibilities and provisions for the priests and Levites, emphasizing the seriousness of their roles and God's provision for their needs. This chapter underscores the importance of both the priests and the Levites in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and ensuring the proper worship of God.
The Weight of Responsibility (Numbers 18:1-7)
The chapter begins with a solemn reminder to Aaron, his sons, and his ancestral family: they bore immense responsibility. As priests, they were accountable for any iniquity against the sanctuary and any misconduct involving the priesthood (Numbers 18:1). Any deviation from the prescribed manner of performing their duties could invite God's wrath and the penalty of death. This verse emphasizes the sacredness of their calling and the high standards God held them to.
To alleviate the burden on the priests, the Lord graciously provided the Levites as assistants. The Levites were tasked with caring for and transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings (Numbers 18:2-3; see Numbers 4:1-33). They were to assist the priests in their duties, ensuring that the tabernacle was properly maintained and that the worship services were conducted according to God's instructions. The Levites were a gift from God to the priests, just as the priesthood itself was a gift to Aaron and his descendants (Numbers 18:6-7). This arrangement highlights God's wisdom in distributing responsibilities and ensuring that His work was carried out effectively.
Sustenance for Sacred Service (Numbers 18:8-20)
The Old Testament priesthood was a full-time ministry, requiring complete dedication to the service of the Lord. Therefore, God made provisions for Aaron and his sons to be supported by the contributions of the Israelites—"all the holy offerings of the Israelites" (Numbers 18:8). Since their daily labor revolved around the tabernacle, the priests and their families were to receive sustenance through the offerings made by their fellow Israelites.
This included portions of the meat from the sin, guilt, and presentation offerings, as well as the best of the fresh oil, new wine, and grain, which the Israelites gave to the LORD as their firstfruits (Numbers 18:9-12). Everything in Israel permanently dedicated to the LORD belonged to them (Numbers 18:14). God ensured that the priests were well-provided for, so they could focus on their sacred duties without being burdened by material concerns.
Importantly, the priests were to receive no inheritance of land, for the Lord was their portion (Numbers 18:20). Their inheritance was not in earthly possessions but in the privilege of serving God and experiencing His presence. This underscores the spiritual nature of their calling and the unique relationship they had with the Lord.
The principle of supporting those who minister is also found in the New Testament. The apostle Paul, while a tentmaker by trade, acknowledged the right of ministers of the gospel to make a living from their work. He referenced the Old Testament practice, stating, "Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple? ... In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:13-14). This highlights the continuity of God's provision for those who serve Him, both in the Old and New Testaments.
The Levites' Tithe (Numbers 18:21-31)
The Levites were also provided for from the Israelites' offerings (Numbers 18:21-30). God set aside a tenth of the Israelites' offerings for the Levites to live on, since they also would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites (Numbers 18:21, 23). This tithe served as their compensation for their work at the tabernacle and their role in assisting the priests.
However, unlike the priests, the Levites had to tithe back to God on their tithe from the people as an offering to the LORD—a tenth of the tenth (Numbers 18:26). This demonstrates that everyone, regardless of their position or provision, is called to give back to God. And because it was a consecrated offering to God, it was to be the best part of the tenth (Numbers 18:29). God desires our best, not just what is left over.
Once the Levites had tithed, they could eat of their offerings as their wage in return for their work at the tent of meeting (Numbers 18:30-31). This highlights the principle of fair compensation for labor and the importance of providing for those who serve in ministry.
Numbers 18 offers a comprehensive look at the responsibilities and provisions for the priests and Levites. It underscores the seriousness of their calling, God's provision for their needs, and the importance of giving back to God from what we have received. This chapter provides valuable insights into the principles of ministry, stewardship, and the relationship between God and His people.
And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.
In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee.
And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.
All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe.
And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the Lord’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.
Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the Lord, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.
And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.
And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
Numbers 18 follows the challenging events of Numbers 16, where Korah's rebellion highlighted the importance of God's chosen leadership. This chapter provides crucial instructions regarding the responsibilities and provisions for the priests and Levites, emphasizing the seriousness of their roles and God's provision for their needs. This chapter underscores the importance of both the priests and the Levites in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and ensuring the proper worship of God.
The Weight of Responsibility (Numbers 18:1-7)
The chapter begins with a solemn reminder to Aaron, his sons, and his ancestral family: they bore immense responsibility. As priests, they were accountable for any iniquity against the sanctuary and any misconduct involving the priesthood (Numbers 18:1). Any deviation from the prescribed manner of performing their duties could invite God's wrath and the penalty of death. This verse emphasizes the sacredness of their calling and the high standards God held them to.
To alleviate the burden on the priests, the Lord graciously provided the Levites as assistants. The Levites were tasked with caring for and transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings (Numbers 18:2-3; see Numbers 4:1-33). They were to assist the priests in their duties, ensuring that the tabernacle was properly maintained and that the worship services were conducted according to God's instructions. The Levites were a gift from God to the priests, just as the priesthood itself was a gift to Aaron and his descendants (Numbers 18:6-7). This arrangement highlights God's wisdom in distributing responsibilities and ensuring that His work was carried out effectively.
Sustenance for Sacred Service (Numbers 18:8-20)
The Old Testament priesthood was a full-time ministry, requiring complete dedication to the service of the Lord. Therefore, God made provisions for Aaron and his sons to be supported by the contributions of the Israelites—"all the holy offerings of the Israelites" (Numbers 18:8). Since their daily labor revolved around the tabernacle, the priests and their families were to receive sustenance through the offerings made by their fellow Israelites.
This included portions of the meat from the sin, guilt, and presentation offerings, as well as the best of the fresh oil, new wine, and grain, which the Israelites gave to the LORD as their firstfruits (Numbers 18:9-12). Everything in Israel permanently dedicated to the LORD belonged to them (Numbers 18:14). God ensured that the priests were well-provided for, so they could focus on their sacred duties without being burdened by material concerns.
Importantly, the priests were to receive no inheritance of land, for the Lord was their portion (Numbers 18:20). Their inheritance was not in earthly possessions but in the privilege of serving God and experiencing His presence. This underscores the spiritual nature of their calling and the unique relationship they had with the Lord.
The principle of supporting those who minister is also found in the New Testament. The apostle Paul, while a tentmaker by trade, acknowledged the right of ministers of the gospel to make a living from their work. He referenced the Old Testament practice, stating, "Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple? ... In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:13-14). This highlights the continuity of God's provision for those who serve Him, both in the Old and New Testaments.
The Levites' Tithe (Numbers 18:21-31)
The Levites were also provided for from the Israelites' offerings (Numbers 18:21-30). God set aside a tenth of the Israelites' offerings for the Levites to live on, since they also would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites (Numbers 18:21, 23). This tithe served as their compensation for their work at the tabernacle and their role in assisting the priests.
However, unlike the priests, the Levites had to tithe back to God on their tithe from the people as an offering to the LORD—a tenth of the tenth (Numbers 18:26). This demonstrates that everyone, regardless of their position or provision, is called to give back to God. And because it was a consecrated offering to God, it was to be the best part of the tenth (Numbers 18:29). God desires our best, not just what is left over.
Once the Levites had tithed, they could eat of their offerings as their wage in return for their work at the tent of meeting (Numbers 18:30-31). This highlights the principle of fair compensation for labor and the importance of providing for those who serve in ministry.
Numbers 18 offers a comprehensive look at the responsibilities and provisions for the priests and Levites. It underscores the seriousness of their calling, God's provision for their needs, and the importance of giving back to God from what we have received. This chapter provides valuable insights into the principles of ministry, stewardship, and the relationship between God and His people.