174. TEACHERS FOR ISRAEL

The Priests and Levites were appointed to teach the Children of Israel about God's Law and His purpose with them. The sacrifices pointed for­ward to the Lord Jesus Christ and we should know what they mean and what they teach us.

 

Numbers 18; Exodus 40:13-16

PRIESTS APPOINTED (Num. 18:1-7)

When the Tabernacle was completed as a place of meeting between God and Israel, Moses was told by God to appoint priests.

 

Aaron was appointed as High Priest. His sons were appointed as priests. At the end of his service the High Priest handed over his duties to his elder son. Moses received detailed instructions about their consecra­tion to the priesthood. They were set apart for this special work of God. Even their clothes were designed by Him (Exodus 28:1-4; 40:13-16).

 

To assist the family of Aaron in their priestly duties, the whole tribe of Levi supported their work. They were restricted in the work that God allowed them to do. The Levites were allowed in the court of the Taber­nacle, but were not permitted in the Tabernacle itself (Num. 18:2-3). The priests ministered in the Holy Place. Only the High Priest was permitted into the Most Holy, on the day of Atonement, which was once a year. The work of the Priests and Levites included:—

 

•At the Tabernacle one of the chief duties of the Priests was to watch over the fire on the altar of burnt offerings to keep it always burning.

•They offered for the nation a lamb as a sacrifice each evening and mor­ning.

•They received and offered the sacrifices brought by the worshippers.

•They kept the seven branched lampstand supplied with oil.

•They changed the shewbread weekly.

•They instructed Israel in God's Laws.

 

THEIR LIVING (Numbers 18:8-32)

The Priests and Levites were given no inheritance in the land (vv.20-23). They were taught by this to rely entirely upon God for their living. The people of the land had to sustain them by giving a tithe (a tenth) of all their increase to the Levites (Num. 18:24). They did this every three years (Deut. 14:28-29). In turn, the Levites gave to the Priests a tenth part of the tithes they received from the people.

 

This "Tithe" was called a "heave offering" (v.24). The word "heave" means "raised" or "levied" like a tribute. It really belonged to God. In a sense everything the people, including what they gave to the Levites really belonged to God in the first place. They were giving back to God a part of His blessings to them. When they did not give their tithes (as sometimes they did not) it was the same as robbing God of what was His due (Mal. 3:8).

 

God thus taught the people that all they received came from Him was really His. As a token of that, He demanded this "tithe" as His portion, and it was given to the Priests as His representatives in Israel.

 

In addition, the Priests were given certain parts of some of the sacrifices which they also ate as their due.

 

The Priests and Levites were expected, in turn, to give their lives to serve God. They studied and expounded the Law (Lev. 10:11; Deut. 24:8); they acted as its judges (Deut. 17:9), and when Israel was establish­ed in the land, they were given cities throughout the whole nation (48 cities — Numbers 35:2-8). They would always be on hand therefore to teach and instruct the people (Mal. 2:7).

 

SACRIFICES

A large part of the work of the Priests, and the worship of Israel had to do with offering sacrifices. These sacrifices were to be without spot or blemish (This general principle is stated in Lev. 1:2, 3 concerning burnt offerings).

 

Sacrifices were divided into two main classes:—

 

Individual Sacrifices: These were offered by individuals and were the sin and trespass offerings, burnt offerings, meal offerings, peace offerings.

 

National Sacrifices: These were offered daily at morning and evening for the nation, and also on other occasions, e.g. on the day of Atonement.

 

Individual sacrifices for sin were made frequently but these were not sufficient. God planned a special Day of Atonement for the sins of the whole of Israel, when they were confessed by the High Priest and pardon­ed by God. Both the people and priests went to a great effort to prepare themselves for that important and serious day.

 

INDIVIDUAL SACRIFICES:

Burnt Offerings (Lev. 1:1-3)

In these an animal or bird was completely burnt upon the altar. By this, the offerers showed that they wanted to give themselves over to serve God with complete dedication.

 

Meat (Meal) Offerings (Lev. 2:1-2)

These were not animal flesh but grain flour mixed with oil and baked without leaven. They showed the dedication of a man's labours.

 

Peace Offerings (Lev. 3:1-5)

These were free-will offerings brought when the people desired to give something to God, for example when they had received the blessings from God and desired to thank Him.

 

Sin Offerings (Lev. 4:22-35)

When a person sinned through ignorance, he was required to offer a sin offering. The animal (a kid) was slain and its blood poured out at the altar for an offering to God. The blood was accepted by God as a cover­ing for sin, for it represented the life. God forgave the sins of the offerers if they were truly repentant.

 

NATIONAL SACRIFICES—THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (Lev. 16)

The Day of Atonement was one of the most important days of the whole year for Israel. It was so named because on that day atonement was made for the sins of the nation. Aaron was required to make a sin of­fering for himself, his family and for the nation. "On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before Yahweh" (v.30).

 

An atonement is a covering for sin, an act bringing man back closer to God. When Israel brought sacrifices to God, the blood of the animals was accepted by God as a covering or atonement for sin. Repentance was also necessary before God would forgive sins and accept the life (blood) of the sacrifice in place of the life of the sinner.

 

The High Priest had to bathe himself and dress in white garments made of linen. All his costly garments were put aside because it was a special day of fasting and repentance. This was in preparation for his en­try into the Most Holy Place and God's presence. It was the only day of the year when the Most Holy was entered by the High Priest, and he alone had that privilege.

 

The sacrifices and the ceremonies of this day were a type of Christ in a very special way. They pointed forward to the great work Christ was to perform in making atonement for the sins of who ever came to God through him (John 3:16).

 

The holy garments worn on this occasions represent the spotless righteousness of Christ (Psa. 132:9, 16; Rev. 19:8).

 

The blood was a type of Christ's blood shed for the remission of sins, as Christ was our sin-offering (Heb. 9:28). He was the Lamb of God, perfect, obedient without blemish of character (John 1:29).

 

The High Priest was a type of Christ and the greater work which he is doing now as mediator. Christ makes intercession for us before God and through him, those baptised into Christ ask forgiveness for sins.

 

Unlike the Israelites' sacrifices which had to be offered continually, year after year, no further sacrifices were necessary after Christ shed his blood. He was the perfect offering and sacrifice whose life was given once for all. Through Christ's sacrifice our sins may be forgiven if we are repentant and seek forgiveness (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4). There is another difference between the animal sacrifices and Christ's offering. Israel's of­ferings, once killed, remain dead. But Christ rose from the dead and was given immortality. He therefore became a symbol of hope for us (Rom. 4:25).

 

OUR SACRIFICES

Sacrifices of a different kind are asked of us. We are not expected to bring sin or burnt offerings with the blood of animals. God asks us to give ourselves with obedient minds and hearts to serve Him (Romans 12:1-2). The first act of obedience is the all important act of baptism following belief and a good confession of faith. Then we are in the very wonderful position of having our sins washed away and being cleansed, prepared to serve God in our life.

 

We must sacrifice our desires, our wills, our thoughts, our wishes, our time, to what God requires. Only the best is good enough for God, and we should be prepared to give Him nothing less.

 

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Law Of Moses" (R. Roberts)—Chapters 24 and 25

"Law And Grace" (W. F. Barling)—Ch.8, pp. 94-101; ch.9, pp.114-121

 

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. a) From what family were the High Priest and the Priests drawn?

b) What tribe did God give to Moses to help with the teaching?

2. a) Why were the Priests and Levites given no inheritance in Israel?

b) What portion did the people give to the Levites?

3. a) What is an atonement?

b) What kind of sacrifices are asked of us?

4. What features of the "Day of Atonement" activities were fulfilled in Jesus Christ?

4. How did the High Priest represent the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the important functions carried out by the priests in Israel?

2. List the different individual sacrifices under the Law of Moses and briefly outline the lessons they teach us.

3. Describe what the High Priest did on the Day of Atonement.