Read Numbers
18-20 & Mark
7:1-13
To discover:
As you read consider the principles behind the provision for
priests and Levites.
To ponder:
(18) With the need for priesthood affirmed and the
sinfulness of Israel
evident, roles are outlined to keep the Israelites from going “near the Tent of
Meeting” and so dying (18v22). Both priests and Levites will be held
responsible if the sanctuary is wronged in this sort of way (also 18v23), and
the priests if the priesthood is somehow conducted wrongly. They are all
responsible to care for and do the work of the tent, with the priests
supervising. But the Levites must “not go near” the furnishings or altar, no
doubt because these were more holy and so reserved for the priests. All
Christians are responsible that the church is not defiled (Heb 12v15).
From what Israel
first give him, the LORD gives the priests a portion of Israel’s
offerings, the firstfruits of the harvest, the money by which firstborn sons
and male unclean animals must be redeemed, and the Levites themselves. The
Levites will receive Israel’s
tithes, from which they are to offer “the best” ten percent to the priests as
“the LORD’s portion” (it seems this would be treated as if grain and wine). Not
to do so would be sin, and so defile the offerings Israel bring (18v32). The
point is that God is the priests’ inheritance, and so providing for them
directly. And the tithes are the Levites inheritance. Both groups therefore
receive no share of the land, but are freed up for their work.
The NT
doesn’t require tithes as such. However it affirms that “the worker deserves
his wages.” So those with the priestly ministry of preaching the gospel have a
right to be paid to do it (1 Tim 5v18). More challengingly, the NT commends
giving “as much” as one is able to poor “saints,” ie. holy ones (2 Cor 8v3-4).
(19) Uncleanness
resulting from contact with a dead body is to be dealt with by the “water of
cleansing.” A heifer’s blood is sprinkled towards the Tent, and its ashes used
in the water “for purification for sin.” Not to be sprinkled with this when
unclean means intentional disobedience of God’s requirements and so warrants
being “cut off.” The various washings, transferral of uncleanness, and concern
the sanctuary is not “defiled,” once more stress that nothing in any way
unfitting can be in God’s holy presence. However, only Christ’s blood can
cleanse the conscience (Heb 9v13-14). And not appropriating this means
condemnation too.
(20) Now
entering their fortieth year in the desert (20v1, 33v36-38), Miriam dies
fulfilling God’s word that the rebellious generation would not enter the land. However
the next generation now grumble – over water. The pattern is familiar. What differs
is Moses and Aaron’s sin. God tells Moses to “speak” to a rock for it to
provide water. Instead he “strikes” it and with words that seem to credit him and
his brother rather than God. God’s responds that this displayed a lack of faith,
perhaps in not trusting him to give the water with just a word, or by relying
on human effort to draw the water. Either way, he was not honoured. So the
brothers are disqualified from bringing the people into the land. This is
tragic after all they had done. But, it reflects the holiness of God, and
perhaps the fact that those with more knowledge and responsibility are more
culpable.
Moses then
requests passage through Edom
(populated by the descendents of Esau, Jacob’s brother). Edom’s
refusal will have repercussions later. Aaron’s death fulfils God’s word about not
entering the land, and sees the priesthood passed to his son Eleazar.
Praying it home:
Thank God for the many material blessings he gives. Pray for
wisdom and determination to generously give back to him by giving to gospel
workers and impoverished Christians.
Thinking further:
We should not assume not entering Canaan
meant Moses and Aaron weren’t saved. Moses appears on the Mount of
Transfiguration with Jesus and is included in the faithful of Hebrews 11. to
see a map related to today’s reading, click here.
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