Numbers 18:5-7
“‘Your job is to take care of the Sanctuary and the Altar so that there will be no more outbreaks of anger on the People of Israel. I personally have picked your brothers, the Levites, from Israel as a whole. I’m giving them to you as a gift, a gift of GOD, to help with the work of the Tent of Meeting. But only you and your sons may serve as priests, working around the Altar and inside the curtain. The work of the priesthood is my exclusive gift to you; it cannot be delegated—anyone else who invades the Sanctuary will be executed.’”
“‘You yourselves must perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar. If you follow these instructions, the Lord’s anger will never again blaze against the people of Israel. I myself have chosen your fellow Levites from among the Israelites to be your special assistants. They are a gift to you, dedicated to the Lord for service in the Tabernacle. But you and your sons, the priests, must personally handle all the priestly rituals associated with the altar and with everything behind the inner curtain. I am giving you the priesthood as your special privilege of service. Any unauthorized person who comes too near the sanctuary will be put to death.’”
God’s explanation is clear, leaving no room for doubt. He is faithful to provide Aaron the help needed to meet these commands. He gives the Levites to Aaron and sons to assist in the work of the sanctuary. He also gives the priesthood to Aaron and his sons. Serving as priest is both a gift and a responsibility. How often do I see work as God’s gift to me? The Priests were also a gift to Israel. God’s plan to fill our need for a priest is the only one acceptable for salvation. We cannot design our own. Only God can give himself, the only perfect priest.
Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself. May I grow to see the work you give me is a gift, not pain and exhaustion to be pushed through. Show me how to relax into your freedom to work and serve in the midst of my pain and confusion.