19 February

Bible in 365 Days    

Numbers 18-20

Numbers 18

Once more we find a repetition of sundry laws which had a direct bearing on the events recorded, and the reason is explicitly stated in the words, "That there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel." (Numbers 18: 5)

The repeated affiliation of the fact of divine appointment as to the position in service of Aaron and the sons of Levi is an arresting and suggestive matter. Observe such sentences as these: "I give you the priesthood as a service of gift" (Numbers 18:7); "I have given them (all the wave-offerings) unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, as a portion for ever" (Numbers 18:11); "I am thy portion and thine inheritance among the children of Israel" (Numbers 18:20); "I have given (the tithe) to the Levites" (Numbers 18:24).

Thus it was made clear that appointment to the priesthood and possession of its privileges and its peculiar relationship to God, together with provision for the sustenance of all those appointed were by direct divine government and according to divine purpose.

It was finally provided that of the tithe, which &as the divinely appointed portion of the Levites, a tithe was to be by them specifically offered to God.

Numbers 19

A most interesting arrangement is here described. It was a provision for the sacrifice of a red heifer. Instructions were given for the ceremonial cleansing of the people during the period of their wilderness wanderings. It was at once provision for defilement and a protection for the priesthood.

With solemn ceremony and most minute carefulness, a red heifer was to be sacrificed according to instructions already given in Leviticus concerning other offerings. Then its ashes were to be carefully gathered and kept, in order that they might be mixed in water and used in certain cases of uncleanness.

This provision was followed by instructions on how to deal with those contaminated by contact with, or in the presence of, the dead.

In movements from place to place while the camp was not pitched and the ordinary methods of the ceremonial law could not be observed, cleansing was provided by the use of water in which these ashes were to be intermixed. Thus a gracious provision was made and at the same time the rights and prerogatives of the priesthood were safeguarded. Wherever the people might be, these ashes of the red heifer which had been sacrificed by priestly hands were available for use.

Numbers 20

We now reach the record of events at the close of the forty years. The people were again at Kadesh. Here Miriam died and was buried. A study of the district will show that perhaps the severest part of their wandering was reached. They were again without water and murmured against Moses and Aaron. It is remarkable that there was no divine punishment, but God graciously supplied their need. The conspicuous failure at this point was Moses' failure. In the moment of God's gracious action he was ungracious in his attitude toward the people.

Because of this breakdown he was eventually excluded from the land.

It was at this point in their history that Aaron died. The account of the transference of his robes of office to his son is that of a solemn and impressive ceremony. The people were reminded that the office of the priesthood was greater than the man. Aaron passed; the priesthood remained. So it continued until at last in the fullness of time there came the Priest who retains the office in the power of an unending life. The death of Aaron was in itself a reminder of the present imperfection of the relationship of the people to God. Nevertheless, the transference of office by divine appointment spoke in no uncertain tones of the abiding tenderness of God and of His provision for the people's access to Him.