“And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift…”

Numbers 18:7 (ESV)

We’ve all heard the cliché “with great privilege comes great responsibility.” There could be no greater privilege than drawing near to God to offer the sacrifices in the tabernacle. God set apart the priests for this important role. They would bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary and against the priesthood. Now this instruction came on the heels of 250 renowned leaders in Israel, who were not priests, seeking unsuccessfully to offer incense before the LORD. God was making the priests responsible to rule in all matters of the sanctuary.

In compensation for this responsibility, the priests received the Levites as a gift. The Levites helped the priests in their duties, but the Levites were not permitted to draw near to the LORD in offering sacrifices or incense. The priests also received the heave offerings (the portion set aside from the offerings given to the LORD) and several other consecrated things from the Israelites. They would not be given an inheritance in the land, for the LORD was their portion.

Under the New Covenant, the Levitical priesthood has been replaced. Jesus is now our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, and believers in Christ have been made kings and priests to our God.

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 1:5–6 (NKJV)

So, what application does Numbers 18 have for us? Truly it is a great privilege to be considered a king and priest! And with great privilege comes great responsibility.

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Luke 12:48 (NKJV)

This causes me to pause and reflect. Have I been responsible with what God has given to me? Have I ruled well the things over which He has given me authority? God is holy, and those who would draw near to Him must also be holy. This would be overwhelming were it not for the provision of His grace!

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (ESV)

The wonderful thing about serving Christ is that whatever He calls us to do, He also equips us to perform…if we fully trust in Him.

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. 😊

Photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash