Adults STS Lesson 105 The Charge and Portion of The Priests and Levites
MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Numbers 18:5).
TEXT: Numbers 18:1-32
After the Lord put to rest the rebellion and murmuring of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, He gave Aaron, his sons and the Levites charge regarding the service of the tabernacle of His holy presence. He specified the duties and responsibilities of the priesthood as well as penalties attached to those who ventured into this ministry without divine appointment and anointing. The charge God gave to Aaron, his sons and the Levites was to enable them minister according to their callings and avoid a clash of responsibilities, which is capable of provoking conflicts within the priesthood.
The Levites were raised as support staff to the Aaronic priesthood and were permitted to minister as workers with him and his sons who were the high priest and priests respectively. God also made clear what should be their remuneration and perquisites, which must attend their service. He assigned generous rewards to specified responsibilities. The Levites had specific portions or inheritance for the service they rendered in the tabernacle of the congregation.
This study shows that God generously rewards those who serve Him diligently. As He commanded the children of Israel to minister to their leaders out of their best substance, so also He ensures that those who give of their best to Him receive the best from Him (Proverbs 3;9,10). He is concerned for the welfare of His people. When we serve Him, He takes care of us and will not let anyone go empty-handed.
1.CHARGE TO AARON AND THE LEVITES: Numbers 18:1-7; 3:6-12; 1:51; 1 Peter 2:9, 10
“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” (Numbers 18:1). Aaron and his sons constituted the priesthood and had an oversight function of the services of the sanctuary. They were to bear the iniquity and burden of the priesthood and of the people, and the Levites were to assist them to take care of everything about the tabernacle (verse 2). To “bear iniquity” means they would be held responsible for performing the necessary rites to atone, for the sins of the people. The Levites were chosen from among the congregation of Israel and given to Aaron as a gift to work together. They were to keep Aaron’s charge or command and the command of God’s standard concerning the works of the sanctuary. This is to prevent any further tragedy as the case of Korah and his company, and thus incur the wrath of God upon the congregation of Israel. Through the duty of the priests and the Levites, they were held responsible for any offences or desecration of the tabernacle of the Lord. They had to take great care to serve and do what the Lord required (Leviticus 10:7). No other tribe was chosen by God for this service and no stranger was allowed to come near holy things of the sanctuary to avoid the wrath of God. “Therefore, thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar and within the vail; and ye shall serve… and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death” (Number 18:7). An example of unauthorized service that earned God’s wrath was the case of Uzzah who took hold of the Ark of God when it was in transit to Jerusalem during the reign of king David (2 Samuel 6:6,7).
Aaron and his sons were solely responsible for ministering within the tabernacle. Though they had a high and important office conferred on them by divine design, it was to be a place of great responsibility, diligent care and profound consecration. Leaders and workers in the house of God should know that their calling is a privilege and demands that they serve God with steadfast commitment and diligence.
God’s appointment is not according to the standards of men but by His mercy and sovereign consideration (Psalm 135:4; 1 Peter 2:9,10). He owns it as His choice to appoint whom He wills for His purpose. It is His sole choice to prefer Jacob above Esau; Joseph above his brothers and David above his other brothers. Contemporary believers ought to know that God’s choice of leaders among His congregation is not by balloting but by His preference and sovereignty. Leaders are to allow God appoint workers that are to serve with them. The church of God consists of various departments and responsibilities. In His wisdom, God has bestowed on His children different degrees of gifts and talents and He requires that we put them to diligent use. He expects us to serve and remain faithful wherever He has put us, taking heed that we are not found wanting at our duty posts because we are busy with activities that He has not assigned to us.
2.CARE FOR MINISTERS IN THE SANCTUARY.
Numbers 18:8-24; Exodus 23:25; Mark 10:29,30; Matthew 10:10; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14.
As a great and caring Father, God made provision for His servants. “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 forever” (Number 18:8). He specifically gave them portions 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” (Numbers 18:9). God also gave them of the heave offering and the wave offering of the children of Israel. He gave them all the best of the oil, wine, wheat, and the first fruits of the land, which the people shall offer to Him. In fact, God gave them everything good to enjoy. “Everything devoted in Israel shall be thine” (Numbers 18:14).
Believers are spiritual priests and God has promised to take care of them (Psalm 34:10).
Godliness has the “promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). As we mind the Father’s business, so will He mind our own business also. He cannot afford to neglect those who are faithful in serving Him; though there may be delay, but verily, the reward for faithful servants will come. We do not need to cut corners or engage in shady deals in order to make ends meet. God is working for every child of His and will surely reward us at the appointed time.
In reference to the adequate provision made for the priests and the Levites, the Scripture says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel …for the workman is worthy of his meat” (1 Corinthians 9:14; Matthew 10:10). It is the duty of Christian churches and believers to maintain their workers and ministers. However, the best reward is reserved in heaven for believers who serve God willingly and faithfully.
- CONTRIBUTION OF LEVITES FROM THEIR PORTION.
Numbers 18:25-32; 31:50; Malachi 3:812; Philippians 4:15-18.
The children of Levi were saddled with the responsibilities of ministering with and for the priests in the tabernacle. The Levites were to concentrate on their service without distraction by any other labour or service. God specifically told them: “…Thou shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall thou have any part among them: I am thy part and inheritance among the children of Israel” (Numbers 18:20). God wanted their attention and full service. However, He made provision for their sustenance and welfare while working for Him. He gave the Levites all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service for which they serve in the tabernacle of the congregation. They were to be sustained through this means without having to beg for their upkeep. While the rest of the children of Israel must not be involved in the service of the tabernacle, only the Levites were allowed in this service.
Though the Levites were adequately provided for through the best that were offered to God in tithes or offerings, they were also expected to contribute the tenth part of the best they received to God. “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” (Numbers 18:26). This means they were to give the tithe of the tithes they had received to the priests. “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” (Numbers 18:28,29). All believers must understand that God wants the payment of tithes from all categories of workers and ministers, leaders and laities. Failure to do this amount to robbing God and will attract negative consequences (Malachi 3:8-12). As God demanded giving of tithes by all the children of Israel at that time, He still requests same from all His people today.
The purpose of tithes and offerings is primarily for the furnishing of the house of God and sustenance of His ministers. The church is engaged in evangelistic outreaches, erection of church buildings and missionary work. All these require money; hence believers should be faithful in paying their tithes and giving generously for the cause of the gospel. Failure to do it will amount to robbing God and jeopardizing the cause of the gospel, which believers must not allow to happen.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW :
- Who are the equivalents of priests and Levites in the Old Testament?
- Why were strangers not allowed into the sanctuary in the Old Testament and how can we apply this in the New Testament?
- What can believers learn from God’s choice of leaders and workers?
- Why and how should believers serve God?
- Give reasons for demanding payment of tithe from the Levites and how is this related to believers today?
- Why should believers pay tithe and offering?
- Mention reasons members of the church should be faithful in paying their tithes and offerings.
