Priestly Responsibilities and Privileges: Numbers 18

Numbers 18 draws a beautiful parallel to our lives as believers. Just as Aaron and the Levites were entrusted with sacred responsibilities and rewarded accordingly, so too are we, as believers, called to fulfill our duties with diligence and integrity. Our reward is the intimate relationship with God, just as the divine was the inheritance of the priests. The reminder to offer back to God a portion of what we receive inspires us to always acknowledge the source of our blessings.

Responsibilities of Aaron and his sons (Verses 1-7)

God warns Aaron and his sons, placing upon them the responsibility for any offenses connected with the sanctuary and priesthood. The Levites are assigned to assist the priests but cannot approach sacred furnishings or the altar.

Priests' Offerings and Portions (Verses 8-20)

God declares that He himself is the inheritance of Aaron and his sons. They are allowed to eat from the most holy offerings, but these portions cannot be consumed by anyone unclean or unrelated. The best of the olive oil, wine, grain, firstborn of livestock, and all dedicated things belong to the priests.

Duties and Rights of the Levites (Verses 21-32)

God sets aside the tithe of the Israelites as the inheritance of the Levites in return for their service in the Tent of Meeting. The Levites are also commanded to give a tithe of their tithe to Aaron. The people are reminded that they must not violate sacred offerings to avoid death.

Numbers 18 delves into the delicate delineation of duties, privileges, and rewards between Aaron, his descendants (the priests), and the rest of the Levites. The chapter emphasizes their sacred responsibilities and entitlements, illustrating the God-ordained roles within the Israelite religious hierarchy.

1. Covenant
2. Priestly Duties
3. Tithing
4. Sacrifices
5. Spiritual Responsibility1. Priesthood of Aaron
2. Responsibilities and rewards of the Levites
3. Inheritance of the Priests and Levites
4. Tithes and offerings1. Moses
2. Aaron
3. The sons of Aaron
4. The Levites
5. The Israelites1. The Tent of Meeting
2. Land of Canaan (indirectly mentioned as the Promised Land)

1. What similarities and differences can you identify between the responsibilities of the priests and Levites in Numbers 18 and the roles within your own faith community?

2. How can we apply the concept of tithing to modern day living?

3. What does it mean that God Himself is the inheritance of Aaron and his sons? How might this relate to our relationship with God today?

4. How might the command for the Levites to give a tithe of their tithe influence our understanding of giving and receiving?

5. The Levites were set apart for God's work. How are you set apart in your own life for God's work?

6. What does it mean to bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary today?

7. In what ways does the consecration of the Levites illuminate the concept of service in your faith community?

8. How do the offerings and portions for the priests speak to the idea of stewardship in your life?

9. How might the commandments regarding the consumption of holy things speak to the sacredness of our lives and actions today?

10. How can we relate the death penalty for violating sacred offerings to the consequences of sin in our lives?

11. How does the command to tithe help us understand our responsibilities toward God and our faith community?

12. How do the priestly responsibilities and privileges reflect the balance between service and reward?

13. What does the relationship between the Israelites, Levites, and priests teach us about interdependency in a faith community?

14. What lessons can we learn from the divine as the inheritance of the priests, and how can we apply these lessons to our own inheritance in Christ?

15. How does the chapter's emphasis on sacred responsibilities inspire your personal spiritual commitments?

16. In the context of this chapter, what does it mean to be "unclean" and how can this concept be applied to our spiritual lives today?

17. What are some tangible ways you can give back a portion of what you've received to God?

18. How does Numbers 18 illuminate your understanding of duty, reward, and covenant?

19. What impact might the Levites' service in the Tent of Meeting have on our understanding of service within our places of worship today?

20. How can we use the teachings in Numbers 18 to honor God more fully in our daily lives?