Numbers 17:10. “And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from Me, that they die not.’”
REPEATED AGAIN, AND AGAIN… Spectacular miracles in Egypt and along the way had testified to the Lord’s people that God was with them, but were they satisfied? No! They had experienced the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, miracle food and water and many other proofs of God’s power and presence, and they still murmured against Him.
Korah and his accomplices had just perished for their rebellion and deliberate resistance to God’s revealed leadership, but the people had not learned. They still murmured against God. 14,700 had just died and more would have died had not Aaron stood with a censer between the living and the dead. And they still murmured against God.
How could they be so blind and ignorant after experiencing God with them so often and in so many ways? Remember the mountain and the law. Remember the golden calf and the results of that bad choice. Now, look at these twelve rods with names on them. Aaron’s name is on the rod of Levi. They took all twelve in last night and lay them in the tabernacle. Now this morning, there are buds on Aaron’s rod, and blossoms, and almonds – all at the same time. This defies all the normal patterns of nature – buds, beautiful almond blossoms and ripe almonds at the same time. It could only happen if the Original Creator adjusted the normal course of life – which He did; and they had murmured against Him.
When each leader took back his rod, and all the people saw Aaron’s rod before them in its’ unique glory, they thought they would die on the spot. The One who holds the key of life also holds the key of death. But He didn’t use it in spite of their murmuring.
I have centuries of evidence that God is truly the only true God. The Bible in many translations, archaeological evidence and historical studies prove that God is the same. Yet there is often a tendency to do things my own way. It is easy to get more concerned about physical conditions than spiritual conditions. It is easy to pay attention to the wrong things.
Have we seen evidence of God’s presence? Yes! Has God answered prayers? Yes! Have I experienced remarkable blessings? Yes! Has God answered and healed the sick? Yes! Have there been experiences passed on as to how God has worked with others in remarkable ways? Yes! When I think of what God has done – doubting and rebellion are unthinkable!
“In reverence I bow my head and heart before Thee this morning, O Almighty God, and remember all the ways Thou hast revealed Thyself to me. It shames me to think that there are times when I have tried to do things my way – and for the wrong reason. I am very grateful that Thou art a longsuffering God, plenteous in mercy and have put up with my manners, or lack of them, in this wilderness I walk through. Thanks! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Numbers18 KEEP THE CHARGE There was no doubt in the minds of the children of Israel by now as to who was God's chosen high priest. Recognition of Aaron as that person chosen to serve as their representative to God, and God's representative to them, was unmistakable. No further interference in his work would be tolerated. The family of the high priest under his authority was responsible to keep the charge of the Tabernacle, the priest's office, and the holy things that were set apart for God. We have one Great High Priest seated in the heaven who has accomplished eternal redemption for us. He has designated Spirit-filled believers to carry on the work of God in an orderly way. Priests in Israel were responsible for the order of the offerings and the way offerings were presented. It wasn't left up to their own discretion as to how things were to be offered to God. They were to make sure all was done according to the instructions from God. When things are given to God, it is the responsibility of the leadership among us to make sure the things that are given and how it is given has a biblical basis. No matter how valuable a thing may appear in the eyes of men, if it doesn't have the sanction of the High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, it is valueless. Far too much in Christendom is done with the objective of making what is supposed to be for God, "seeker friendly," and will make those who come to "worship" feel "comfortable" as they are.
Some of the offerings that were brought, the sin and trespass offerings, could be shared by male priests only. Other offerings, the heave (raised) and wave offerings were given as gifts of appreciation and could be shared by the whole priestly family including daughters. The roles of the people of God differ, even though every believer is a priest. The priesthood of all believers is a biblical fact even though in many places it is not practiced in a public way. Not everyone does the same thing now, nor did they in the camp of Israel. By each fulfilling their God-given role in the way the Lord intended, the whole nation of Israel was protected from judgment. Chapter 18 of Numbers is the most comprehensive statement of the work of the Israelite priests and the work of the Levites. We do not need the designations of men to identify the work of those who lead God's people today. We have clearly stated qualifications and responsibilities given in the scriptures for our learning and clarification.
Those who served the Lord in the Tabernacle were separated to that work as representatives of those who were in a relationship with God. The work they were involved in symbolized the holiness and purity of divine things as they pertained to the life of the people of God on earth. We are responsible to Christ in all of our work. It is our Great High Priest who makes all we do acceptable to a Righteous and Just God. None of us are to be "free-lancers" doing our work for God on our own and in a way that suits us. We are to work in fellowship with other "believer-priests" and our role should coordinate with that of others and be in fellowship with what they do. When the people of God work together under the authority of the Lord, even though the work of each person is different, it can be done in harmonious fellowship. The priesthood of all believers involves both work and worship. As workers, God gifts each member to accomplish what He intends. As worshipers, the Holy Spirit of God guides each one so that priestly worship encompasses all the different aspects of divine things. Praise to God and good works to men, are both priestly service.
The sin and trespass offerings were made when there was guilt that had to be faced. The priest who presided over those offerings, took part of the offering for himself. In that way the priest identified himself with the guilty person. There are times in the lives of the people of God when a sinning person has to be dealt with. The charge to those who deal with such matters is, "Ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Identification with our brothers who have fallen in some way, is an important part of seeing such a one recovered. In those times it is well for us to remember we are priests before God. Our Great High Priest has obtained eternal redemption for us and His work is mediating the case before the holiness of God's throne. We do our part as the scriptures teach, and the result is up to the Mediator.
Levites also had no inheritance among the nation of Israel. They were encamped around the Tabernacle to guard the holy things of God. The Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites were on three sides of the Tabernacle, and the priests and Moses were on the east side in front of the beautiful east gate. The commission of the Levites was to protect the Tabernacle and accept the privilege of serving God as all they needed as an inheritance. Their support for living came from a tithe paid by the other tribes of Israel. A tenth of what each family earned from their business, of whatever kind it was, belonged to God and was given as a tithe. The Levites themselves also gave a tenth of what they received. That was given to the priests to be used in the service of God. Levites were not farmers or enterprising businessmen, but their income from the service they did for God was considered the same as income from any other of God's people. Actually, they had been given the best, and now they were to give the best of the best.
To not give to the Lord our best is to rob God. Our giving, whether it be by proportion of what we received by our labor or enterprise, along with our offerings of thanksgiving, is to be given with joy. It is a great privilege to share with others what God has given us. The results of such "hilarious giving" is glory for God as an act of worship, and blessing to those the Lord has appointed to service for Him. We do not look to the world for support. Nor should we copy the world's way to solicit support for the work of the Lord. Rather we should count it a privilege to "keep the charge" God has given us and by that means, the work and service of God will be well maintained. To act in faith in financial things brings blessing to men and is an act of worship when it is given to God. When we keep the charge of the things the Lord has entrusted to us, He will keep us out of the abundance of His storehouses so we will not lack what he intends us to have.