Seder 116: Numbers 18---Priest and Levites: Gifts and Responsibilities

 While "take" is a significant word in Numbers 16, "give" and "gift" are key words in Numbers 18 (see verses 6, 8, 11-12, 21, 26).  God "gave" the rest of the tribe of Levi to the priests, and Israel's tithes and offerings to the Levites and priests, in return for their service.  This relationship between God and the priests was a lasting one, a "covenant of salt" (verse 19; cf. Jer 33:21-22).  

So the priests and Levites received extensive gifts, and they also had weighty responsibilities.  In the camp of Israel the tribe of Levi was a kind of buffer, even a "lightning rod," between God's presence and the people (Num 1:53; 8:19; 18:21-22).  Within the tribe of Levi, the priests were responsible for making sure that the rest of the tribe of Levi did not come to harm by coming in too close a contact with the tabernacle and its holy objects (Num 4:18-20; 18:1-5).  

With Exodus 19 in mind, Peter refers to Christians as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession (1 Pe 2:9).  It is natural, then, to ask about what responsibilities go with this priesthood.  Peter states that its purpose is for these priests to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Kyle Kettering discussed the responsibilities of priests in a sermon at Church of the Messiah on May 30, 2026.  He noted that the expansion of priesthood to people from nations beyond Israel was prophesied in Isaiah 66:19-21, backing up Peter's assertion.  

He observed that in Israel 

• the priests/Levites served as intermediaries.
• they were chosen for this role.
• the role came with responsibilities for the behavior of others.
• they risked danger on behalf of others.

Surveying a number of passages on priestly responsibilities, Kyle explained that priests need to  

• study (Neh 8:13)
• learn
• listen to God.
• instruct (Dt 24:8; Hosea 6:4-6)
• judge.
• uphold the holiness of God (Zeph 3:4)
• make distinctions (Eze 22:26)
• remember Torah
• guard knowledge (Mal 2:7)

A major challenge of our priesthood is to help those who have strayed from the right path to get back on track (1 John 5:!6; James 5:19-20; Gal 6:1-2).  

Seder 114: New Testament Connections with Numbers 15---the Unpardonable Sin, Tassels

 Numbers 15:30-31 warns against defiant sins, those committed with a "high hand."  The New Testament contains analogous warnings.  For example:

1 John 5:16---"If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life---to those who commit sins that do not lead to death.  There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that."

Heb 6:4-6---"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."

Mark 3:28-30---"Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"---for they were saying, 'he has an unclean spirit'. "

The New Testament also contains a number of references to the tassels worn on the corners of Israelite garments.  

Matthew 14:35-36---"And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe the fringe of his garment.  And as many as touched it were made well."

Many see here a fulfillment of Malachi 4:2.  

Jesus also criticized the wearing of tassels for show:

Matt 23:5---"They do all their deeds to be seen by others.  For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long."