Korah, Dathan, and Abiram had challenged the leadership of Moses and the priesthood of Aaron in a rebellion that ended with God pouring out His judgment on the rebels (Numbers 16). God made it very clear that He had set aside Moses as the leader of the nation of Israel and Aaron as the spiritual head of the tabernacle. Complaints and rebellion from any individual or group would not be tolerated. In order to reconfirm Aaron’s priestly authority before all of Israel, the Lord commanded Moses to gather a staff from every tribe in Israel (12 staffs) and the name of the tribe’s leader was to be written on it (17:1-2). Aaron’s name was to be written on the tribe of Levi’s staff (17:3) and all of the staffs were to be placed in the tabernacle before the Testimony (Ten Commandments), which were written on two stone tablets and kept in the ark of the covenant (17:4). The Lord then said, “And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you” (17:5). Moses did all that the Lord had commanded (17:6-7) and the next day the rod of Aaron had bloomed which confirmed that he was the High-Priest (17:8-9). Aaron’s budding rod was to be placed in the ark of the covenant as a sign to anyone who would challenge his authority as the High-Priest (17:10-11). When the children of Israel realized that they had sinned by rebelling against Aaron’s authority, they feared that the Lord would put them to death if they went anywhere near the tabernacle. Although Israel overreacted to this revelation, they were now aware that challenging Aaron’s office of High-Priest would result in God’s wrath being poured out.
With Israel finally recognizing the authority of Aaron and the priesthood, God reminded everyone concerning the duties and responsibilities of the priests (Numbers 18). God said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But you and your sons alone will be held responsible for violations connected with the priesthood” (18:1). This was a warning about the seriousness of their priestly duties. Although the Levites were to assist Aaron and his sons, they were never to touch any of the sacred items in the tabernacle (18:2-7). Any violation of this commandment would result in the death of the violator as well as the priest (18:3). God also reminded the people about the support of the priests (18:8-20) and the Levites (18:21-24). Since the priests and Levites performed their duties in service for the Lord, they were entitled to support. The priests received a portion of the offerings which were not consumed on the altar (18:8-11) as well as the offerings of firstfruits and anything devoted to the Lord (18:12-20). The Levites were supported by the tithes of the people (18:21-24). Although the Levites received tithes from the people, they were to give a tithe (a tenth) back to the Lord (18:25-32).
The Lord also provided instructions concerning the laws of purification in Numbers 19. These laws of purification were to be performed when a person became unclean through some action and many of the instances of uncleanness are described in Leviticus 12-15. Prior to the purification ceremony, an unblemished red heifer was to be given to the priest who would then slaughter it outside the camp (19:1-4), burn it (19:5-6), and then cleanse himself in water (19:7). Each person involved in this purification ritual needed to be cleansed by water (19:8). When the ashes of the heifer remained, a man was to gather them until they were to be used in purifying individuals from uncleanness (19:9-10). Anyone who came in contact with a dead body would remain unclean for seven days and on the third and seventh day he was to purify himself with the ash water (19:11); however, an individual who failed to cleanse himself would be put to death (19:12-13; see also Leviticus 15:31). This purification ritual would also apply to those in a tent with a dead body and even spread to objects near a dead body (19:14-16). Numbers 19:17-22 reveals that the ashes must be mixed with water and then a branch was to be used to sprinkle the water over any unclean object or person (19:17-19). This was to be performed on the third and seventh day by a person that was ceremonially clean. Anyone who refused to be purified from their uncleanness would be put to death (19:20). Those who performed the cleansing ritual would remain unclean until evening (19:21-22). Although this ceremony may seem tedious, God wanted the people to understand that He was holy and anyone who was unclean could not defile His presence. This purification ritual would have been a visible reminder about the seriousness of one’s approach to God.
Dear God, cleanse me from sin that I might stand in Your presence.
