Although Levites were the primary leaders of a recent rebellion against the LORD, He does not reject their ongoing service in His midst. Instead, He confirms that He will continue to use the ministry of both Levites and priests for service in His holy sanctuary. The priesthood given to Aaron and his sons is a gift from the LORD, both to Aaron and to the entire people of Israel. The LORD promises to provide physically for the priests and Levites through the offerings of the rest of Israel. The Levites too will tithe from the tithes given to them, the LORD’s gracious way of reminding the Levites that they are also among His people. Though they have no land as their inheritance, the LORD Himself is their inheritance. This serves to point forward to the eternal inheritance that belongs to all those who are in Christ.

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Numbers 18:1-32.

"Wilderness Wanderings” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Numbers. After the LORD delivers His people from slavery in Egypt, He leads them toward the Promised Land. Although the first generation of Israelites proves faithless, the LORD remains faithful to His people and brings a new generation of Israelites to the plains of Moab. This strengthens us to listen to God’s promises today and stay faithful to Him as He guides us toward resurrection life.