The Levitical priests held a very special place within the Israelites’ society. They were in essence, the mediators between God & man and therefore very important because they served as a picture of Christ in the OT.
1. A special purpose - To maintain the OT sacrifices to cover sin.
Num. 18:5 “And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.”
2. A special plan - To act as mediators, serving both God & man.
V6 “And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
3. A special provision - To live off of the offerings from the people EXCEPT for the 1st born which belonged to God.
V14, 17 “Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.”
4. A special possession - They had NO OTHER EARTHLY POSESSION. They belonged solely to God and He was their inheritance.
V20-21 “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
5. A special profession - To spend their lives helping free people from their sin.
V22-23a “Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity:”
LESSON - Because of the finished work of Christ, everyone who has received Christ as Savior has similar roles and responsibilities to the OT Priests.
1. Our purpose
We should tell the world about The sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is how we free people from the wrath to come.
2. Our plan
We are called in Mt. 22 to spend our lives loving God and loving others as much as we already love ourselves.
3. Our provision
We should not spend our lives worried over providing for ourselves. God will always provide for our necessities allowing us opportunity to focus upon the souls of men.
4. Our possession
We must spend our lives focused upon an eternal inheritance, one that neither moth nor rust can decay.
5. Our profession
Regardless of our vocation, we are all missionaries called to the field where He has placed us. When He returns, may He find us faithfully working the field! We now serve as pictures of Christ to our world.
Ez. 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
Be that person!
~Mike