Then the Lord said to Aaron: “You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood (Numbers 18:1)
Aaron was the high priest of God and had great authority. However, he was also accountable to God. Authority, responsibility, and accountability go hand in hand.
Numbers 18:2-7
Aaron himself was of the tribe of Levi. While only he and his descendants were given the priesthood, the whole tribe of Levi were to assist the priests in their ministry at the altar and tabernacle.
Numbers 18:8-20
A covenant of salt: God promised to provide for the priests via the sacrifices of the people, and He called this promise of provision a “salt covenant”.
In ancient Indian culture, if you had eaten a man’s salt you were to remain faithful to that person forever.
While the priests had the right to receive much, he also was deprived of any inheritance in their land; they had no permanent portion of land given to them, because God said I am your portion and your inheritance.
Numbers 18:21-24
The word tithe means "a tenth part." Tithing means 10 percent.
Tithing is not a ceiling but a foundation. Tithing is like training wheels when it comes to giving. It's intended to help you get started.
Tithing is not a principle dependent on the Mosaic law; as Hebrews 7:5-9 explains, tithing was practiced and honored by God even before the law of Moses.
There were three "tithes" collected from Israel—one to support priests and Levites (Numbers 18:21); another for a sacred celebration (Deut. 14:23); and a third—collected only once every three years—to support the poor, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-13). So the actual income percentage given was closer to 33 than 10.
Numbers 18:25-32
Moreover, you shall say to the Levites, When you take from the Israelites the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the Lord, even a tenth of the tithe [paid by the people].
It was important for the Levites to learn how to be givers also; just because they were supported through the giving of God’s people, it did not mean they didn’t need to give. We all need to learn how to be givers, because God is a giver, and we are being transformed into the image of Jesus.
Confession: Lord, You are my portion and my inheritance.
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34