Day 68: Levitical Division of Power: Priests and Protectors

Today we read Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 18, and Psalm 100. This story is about Yahweh dividing and clarifying power, provision, and process; clarifying ways to be more just with checks and balances. In this story, we zoom into the Levites with a distinction made between Aaron and his sons and descendants as priests and the other Levites as guardians and protectors of the priesthood and between the priesthood and the people. We read that the Levite's inheritance is not land but God himself. We look to this model as a permanent reminder that the exclusive priesthood is a reminder of our one and only exclusive God. We read that God will directly provide for the Levites by sharing the provisions from the offerings and tithing. We read that Yahweh God is giving the Israelites what they want, for now, He will give a prophet to them and Deuteronomy 18, vs 18 is thought by many to be referring to Jesus as the prophet that will be raised the one that God will give His words to and the one who will tell them of His commands. Deuteronomy 19 talks about the difference between accidental and intentional murder and the subsequent response; it also talks about the need for more than one witness and a process where God himself, the priest, and judges are to take part in determining accusations of guilt. The judges are also to thoroughly investigate and there are serious consequences for false witnesses.

Resources:

Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/

Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14 

Credits:

Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.