Nov14-20: Priests and Levites

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 18 and make an outline of the chapter.  

ANSWER:

• Num. 18:1-7 The role of Aaron’s family and the Levites.
• Num. 18:8-19 Tributes that belong to Aaron and his family.
• Num. 18:20-24 Tithes for the Levites
• Num. 18:25-32 Levites should pay tithes to Aaron

2. Read Numbers 18:1–7. What distinctions were made in the roles given these men?

ANSWER:

• Aaron’s family – Priesthood, service at the altar and in the sanctuary. Num. 18:7
• The Levites – To support and help Aaron’s family with the sanctuary service, but not enter into the sanctuary.

OBSERVATION:

• Aaron was called to be a high priest (Heb. 5:4) and he was confirmed as a high priest with the budding of his rod (spiritually speaking, this represents resurrection).
• Jesus was called to be the High Priest at His resurrection (Heb. 5:5, Acts 13:33).
• Notice how Aaron is introduced in the Bible for the first time. Aaron was called to be a speaker or spokesman for Moses (Ex. 4:16).
• Interesting to notice that Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-3, 14) or the speaker for God.

3. Read Numbers 18:8–20. What point seems most pertinent to you?

ANSWER:

• How God organized a financial support system for the Levites.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice how Paul used the financial support system of the Levites from the Old Testament for a New Testament application:
• 1Cor. 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 1Cor. 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
• Notice how the elders that are working for the gospel should be rewarded:
• 1Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1Tim. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
• Notice how the students should support Bible teachers:
• Gal. 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
• “Communicate” means to share with others.
• Notice in the New Jerusalem Bible Version:
• Gal. 6:6 ¶ When someone is under instruction in doctrine, he should give his teacher a share in all his possessions.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• I believe that in order to have healthy growth in the church, we need to have more than one full-time worker.  I think our church needs a full-time senior pastor, a full-time assistant pastor, a full-time youth pastor, and a full-time children’s pastor. But in order to support these pastors the church members need to give more. What do you think about this suggestion? What does your church need to do in order to have healthy growth with spiritual revival?

4. In addition to their portion of the sacrificial offerings, what other plan did the Lord devise to care for both priests and Levites? Num. 18:21–32.

ANSWER:

• Tithe

OBSERVATION:

• Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Gen. 14:18-20
• Jacob promised to give “the tenth” to God. Gen. 28:22
• Tithe is holy unto God. Lev. 27:30
• “Tithes into the storehouse” of God. Mal. 3:10
• We do not give tithe, but return tithe, because the money that we earn is not ours but God’s:
• 1Chr. 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1Chr. 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1Chr. 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  1Chr. 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
• Returning tithe to God is one of the strongest ways to show that we are truly dependent upon God for His provision.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• In what way would your life be going much better if you withhold that tithe from God?
• Do you care to experience God’s miracle by returning tithe to Him?

5. Read Numbers 19 and make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 19:1-10 Red heifer offering.
• Num. 19:11-22 Purification after touching a dead body.

OBSERVATION:

• “This heifer was to be red, a symbol of blood, Christ’s blood obviously. It had to be without blemish, as well, and never had borne a yoke—another symbol of Christ, a spotless sacrifice who came voluntarily to accomplish the work of atonement. There was no obligatory yoke upon Him, for He was independent and above all law.
• “The sacrificial heifer was brought forth without the camp, and slain. Thus Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12), for Calvary was outside the city walls. This was to show that Christ did not die for the Hebrews alone but for all humanity (Rom. 5:12–20). He proclaims to a fallen world that He has come to be their Redeemer and urges them to accept the salvation He offers.” SSL p. 69
• Notice how Haggai applied “unclean by a dead body”:
• Hag. 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Hag. 2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
• I am pretty sure we do not need to practice Numbers chapter 19 today. However, we do need to be very careful about when we come in contact with dead bodies. Nevertheless, there seems to be a spiritual application here.
• Spiritually speaking, what would be a “dead body”?
• I think of what Paul said in Romans chapter 7:
• Rom. 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
• Is it possible that we can apply  “dead body” as  “carnal mind” (Rom. 8:6, 7) “sold under sin” (Rom. 7:14)?
• Could we truly be freed from this sin and death?
• Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

CONCLUSION:

• Numbers 18 is about the support system for the Levites. Numbers 19 is about the red heifer offering and purification for those who touched a dead body.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Num. 19:22 And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.
• Who became “unclean” because you were “unclean”? How does the blood of Jesus apply in this case?