Read Numbers
3-4 & Mark
3:22-35
To discover:
As you read consider what the various roles would have entailed.
To ponder:
The dignity of the priestly line is stressed by being given its
own account. Aaron and sons are to serve as priests. Only they would survive
approaching God’s sanctuary (the inner tent). Yet by reminding us of the two sons
who died for not following God’s commands, future generations of priests are
warned that they must take their duties very seriously indeed. God’s call
affirmed that the priests were authorised by him, and so their work on behalf
of the people would be effective. It also declared that the people must respect
their authority. Even Christ was given authority for his priestly work by God the
Father (Heb 5v4).
Aaron’s tribe, Levi, are to
assist by “doing the work of the tabernacle,” with the various roles this
comprises carefully delegated to specific clans. Again this displays the order
implicit within God’s character. But it shows too, that organisation and
delegation are fitting in the work of the church. We should note that Moses,
Aaron and sons were to camp on the east of the tabernacle, once more looking
towards the place of new dawn and so God’s saving work.
The Levites are taken to serve
God’s tent in the place of the firstborn, who since the Passover belong to God
in a special way (Ex 13v1-6). They are to be under the direction of Aaron and
sons (4v27), but their chief is Eleazar, who was destined to be High Priest
(3v32). They are counted and their number compared to Israel’s
firstborn. Because there were less Levites, the excess had to be redeemed by
payment. God is exact in his dealings with his people. All is as he determines.
Some think the transference from the firstborn to the Levites implies the
transference of the primary responsibility for worship from the firstborn in
each household to those designated at a national level.
The Kohathites are ranked in
chapter 4 before the Gershonites because they are in charge of “the most holy
things” (4v4). Careful instructions are given on packing the tent when the
nation is on the move, with the ark always covered. Because of God’s utter
purity, to touch the holy things would mean death (4v15, 20), and the
Kohathites only survive because they are Levites (4v18-19). This seems harsh,
but simply reflects the reality of God’s holiness with a people who haven’t
benefited from the full cleansing that comes in Christ. Moreover, it reminds us
that God cannot be dishonoured or treated trivially in any way.
The “blue” cloth would have
marked out the most holy things, but may also have been a reminder of the
heavens (sky) and so God’s presence (see Ex 24v9-10). With the count of those
serving and carrying the tabernacle numbering 8,580 (4v48), we see it was quite
a task! When Israel
settled in the land and the temple replaced the tabernacle, the Levites were
given different tasks, such as the musical aspects of worship.
Praying it home:
Praise God for equipping the church with gifts for his
service. Pray that we would use ours according to his commands, and most
particularly in love (1 Cor 12-14).
Thinking further:
God’s call of only men to the priesthood rubs in an
egalitarian society such as ours. However we should note that it is not simply
a gender distinction: The priests are being set-apart in role and authority
from the other Levites, and the Levites in turn from wider Israel.
This helps us set the discussion on gender roles in a more healthy context. The
fact is that although God has made all human beings equal in nature, in
numerous ways he distinguishes between them in the roles and authority he
grants them. No matter how much the regular Israelite might have wanted to
serve as the Levites or even priests did, no matter how able he might have been
at it, he was not permitted to. This did not mean he was inferior. It simply
meant that God had ordered things as was his right to do, and according to his
wisdom. Leviticus and Numbers teach how important it is to submit to that order
where it has been established.
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