Bible Study Guide Day 062: Numbers 18–20
You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.
Numbers 18:29
Previous Day 061: Numbers 16–17
Numbers 18
Duties of Priests and Levites
In chapter 18, God speaks to Aaron to reiterate the duties of the priests and the Levites. The priests — Aaron and his two sons — are to guard the inside of the tabernacle, and the Levites are to guard the sanctuary outside the tabernacle. God makes it clear that if a Levite passes into the part reserved for the priests, they’ll both die.
This highlights the importance of following God’s instructions and respecting the sacredness of certain roles and places.
Offerings for Priests and Levites
Then God tells Aaron that all the holy offerings and tithes from the Israelites are to be given to him and his descendants. God gives instructions on how the offerings are to be divided amongst the priests and Levites, emphasizing that they will not receive any inheritance of land like the other tribes.
God instructs the Israelites to give a tithe — the tenth part — of their grain, wine, oil, and firstborn animals as an offering to the Levites. Of that tithe, the Levites are to give ten percent back to God, who says it should be given to the priest. This offering is to be given willingly and is seen as an act of gratitude towards God for all he has provided.
This serves as a reminder to us that those who serve God full-time should be supported by the offerings and tithes of God’s people. It is important for believers to give faithfully and generously to support those in ministry.
Numbers 19
The Water of Cleansing
In chapter 19, God gives instructions for the purification ritual involving a red heifer. This is to be done in order to remove any impurity caused by coming into contact with a dead body — which is considered a major defilement according to Jewish law.
The ashes of the burnt red heifer are mixed with water to create the “water of cleansing” which is then used to purify anyone who has come into contact with a dead body. This ritual serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for purification before coming into God’s presence.
Numbers 20
Water From the Rock
As the Israelites continue their journey, Miriam, Moses’ sister, dies and is buried. The people again complain about the lack of water, and instead of following God’s instructions to speak to a rock for water, Moses strikes the rock in frustration.
Because of this disobedience, God tells Moses that he and Aaron will not lead the Israelites into the promised land. This serves as a reminder that even those chosen by God are not immune to consequences when they disobey.
Edom Denies Israel Passage
As the Israelites travel, they come to the territory of Edom. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau, the son of Isaac, the grandson of Abraham, and the older brother of Jacob — whom all the Israelites are descendants of.
The Israelites ask for permission to pass through, promising not to take anything from their land. However, the Edomites refuse and threaten them with military force if they try to pass through. This shows that even those who are God’s chosen people will still face challenges and opposition on their journey.
The Death of Aaron
Chapter 20 finishes with God telling Moses that Aaron will soon die. He instructs them to gather the community and have Aaron hand over his priestly garments to his son Eleazar — the new high priest. Aaron dies on the top of Mount Hor, and the Israelites mourn for him for thirty days.
This serves as a reminder to cherish and honor those who have gone before us in faith. As we continue on our own journeys of faith, let us remember to follow God’s instructions and respect the sacredness of certain roles and places. Let us also give faithfully and generously to support those in ministry, recognizing their important role in spreading the gospel.