Number 18 -- The Priesthood And Giving

Aaron and his family, and the Levites, were given specific duties here.  The rebels in the previous chapter had dared to presume that they could appoint themselves as priests!  Here, God speaks directly to Aaron, telling him that it was now the duty of the priests to protect the tabernacle from defilement, and the Levites were given the responsibility of assisting the priests.

Out of all the tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was the only one to receive no land for themselves in the Promised Land.  Instead, the Lord was their portion, and they were allowed to live in 48 cities scattered throughout the Promised Land.  Amazingly, this lined up with the prophecy by Jacob in Genesis 49:5-7 that Levi would be scattered in Israel!  There was good in this scattering, though, for this put the Levites in close proximity to all the tribes in the Promised Land to help the people understand God’s teachings.

God was gracious in giving what was given to Him to the priests and Levites.  They only had to be ceremonially clean to receive it.  “Those who serve the Lord and His people should be supported from the material blessings God gives His people,” my commentary explained. 

God also expected the Levites to tithe 10% of what was given to them and to share it with the priests, my commentary said.

“For us as Christians, tithing is just the beginning.  If we grasp the meaning of 2 Corinthians 8-9, we’ll practice grace giving and go far beyond the tithe,” my commentary added.

Father, thank You for opening my heart to grace giving, sharing with those You put in my path what You have so kindly allowed me to have!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford