May 22, 2023

When God is our portion, we are satisfied.

Numbers 18:8–32

Michelle Ball
Monday's Devo

May 22, 2023

Monday's Devo

May 22, 2023

Monday's Devo

May 22, 2023

Monday's Devo

May 22, 2023

Big Idea

God's instruction can always be trusted.

Key Verse | Numbers 18:19-20

"All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the LORD I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and for your offspring with you." And the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel."

Numbers 18:8–32

8 Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, “Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to me, all the consecrated things of the people of Israel. I have given them to you as a portion and to your sons as a perpetual due. 9 This shall be yours of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering of theirs and every sin offering of theirs and every guilt offering of theirs, which they render to me, shall be most holy to you and to your sons. 10 In a most holy place shall you eat it. Every male may eat it; it is holy to you. 11 This also is yours: the contribution of their gift, all the wave offerings of the people of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it. 12 All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the grain, the firstfruits of what they give to the LORD, I give to you. 13 The first ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it. 14 Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours. 15 Everything that opens the womb of all flesh, whether man or beast, which they offer to the LORD, shall be yours. Nevertheless, the firstborn of man you shall redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. 16 And their redemption price (at a month old you shall redeem them) you shall fix at five shekels 1 18:16 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams in silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 17 But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall burn their fat as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 18 But their flesh shall be yours, as the breast that is waved and as the right thigh are yours. 19 All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the LORD I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and for your offspring with you.” 20 And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.

21 To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, 22 so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the people of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 24 For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel.”

25 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, ‘When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. 27 And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. 28 So you shall also present a contribution to the LORD from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the LORD's contribution to Aaron the priest. 29 Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated.’ 30 Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. 31 And you may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. 32 And you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have contributed the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.’”

Footnotes

[1] 18:16 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams

S2:096 Numbers 18:8-32

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Numbers 18:8–32

As the key verses note, the Lord is the Levites' portion and inheritance. He provides for them by generously giving of His own offering from the Israelites. He outlines in Numbers 18:30-31 that after the best, "the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. And you may eat it in any place, you and your households . . . ." These instructions provided for their practical needs, but how did it demonstrate that the Lord was their portion, and what does it mean for us now? What is our "produce of the threshing floor" and "produce of the winepress"?

I'm immediately reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples at the Last Supper in Matthew 26:16-28. Of the bread, Jesus said, "Take, eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26:26) Of the cup, He said, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:27-28) Do you see the parallels? God gives the Levites, His priests, the "produce of the threshing floor, and the produce of the winepress." The bread and wine symbolize Jesus' body and blood to His followers. 

In John 6:35, Jesus tells the disciples, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Then He says, "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." (John 6:55) God created man to live in relationship with Him, and mankind has had a pit of unfulfilled hunger since sin separated us from Him. It isn't until we trust in Christ that our hunger is satisfied. We who believe in Christ are now chosen, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). God provided for the Levites at the establishment of their nation, and now Jesus sustains us for eternity. 

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5b-6)

This month's memory verse

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

– Philippians 2:3–4

Discussion Questions

1. Let's take a deep dive into the use of salt in Scripture. See Leviticus 2:13 and 2 Chronicles 13:5 for other "covenant[s] of salt." What are the properties and uses of salt? Why would God use it in covenants, and why do Jesus and Paul use it as illustrations in their ministries? See Matthew 5:13 and Colossians 4:6.

2. Consider the significance of a particular threshing floor throughout the Old Testament. Read the following passages and reflect on Who appeared in the first two. How does His appearance there foreshadow His purpose in the new covenant?

  • 2 Samuel 24:15-19, 24-25
  • 2 Chronicles 3:1
  • Genesis 22:1-19

3. Three times the Lord references the Levites' portion being given in return for their service in the tent of meeting (Numbers 18: 21, 23, 31). Those of us who know and follow Christ understand that the only condition of salvation is belief. However, Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45), and those who follow Him are called to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20a), just like the Levites were. How are you serving others in this regard?

4. What do all of these things that we've read and considered teach you about God? Say a prayer of thanksgiving for Who He is and how He is our eternal provision.

Respond to Today's Passage

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HS

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Michelle! Love your direct link to bread and wine at the last supper. I’m convicted by Paul’s call for me to be broken bread and poured out wine, https://utmost.org/classic/the-commission-of-the-call-classic/ Q1. GREAT info and questions on salt. I have been fascinated by it for years. I’m taught it’s essential to human survival. Also that the Latin word for soldier means “one who guards the salt”. More nerds stuff. I’m also taught that virtually every war prior to the 20th century had control of salt as a foundation . Also that governments made themselves monopoly producers of salt. Great book for fellow nerds…The History of Salt https://www.amazon.com/Salt-World-History-Mark-Kurlansky/dp/0142001619/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=salt+a+world+history+by+mark+kurlansky&qid=1684610034&sprefix=SALT+his%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1 So there. Q2. Also LOVE the link to threshing floors, wheat, and the separation of the wheat from the chaff. I add a link to Psalm 1 discussing the wicked and the righteous. https://www.gotquestions.org/threshing-floor.html https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-wheat-tares.html Q3. In Prodigal we seek to help participants be reconciled to their prodigals through a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus. Often this starts with helping them understand God’s design for human relationships. Usually they have a problem with boundaries. Critically, as important as setting boundaries is, our most important work is to help move them towards unity with Christ, (John 17). At that point they have the best chance of reconciliation with their prodigals and for full restoration of the relationship. We embrace the truth that the Holy Spirt does this work and we are but His instruments.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

As often happens, there is a lot of detail in chapters 18 and 19 that I find tough to penetrate. I understand it at a surface level. But it’s hard to make the link that helps 2 Timothy 3:16 bear it out for me. Again, the big promise is that God will dwell with them/me. Not absence but presence. Not separation but unity. GQs says this, “The presence of God is the believer’s true home”. More here, https://www.gotquestions.org/dwell-house-Lord-forever.html and here https://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-our-dwelling-place.html Also, it’s straight forward to see how the sacrificial system can make one holy and clean so that God can dwell with them/me. ——————————————————————————— Constable edifies citing five core elements- "1. The reader of Scripture needs to have general knowledge about the major institutions of the biblical period just for Scripture to make sense. "2. Our understanding of the true worship of God begins with the sense that he controls and directs true worship; who the priests are and how they function are first his concerns. This means that worship is not a game where we may make up the rules as we play. "3. A general knowledge of the work of the priests in the Hebrew Bible gives many insights to the modern reader as to the interests of God in our own worship. Often we think of worship in terms of what we like and appreciate. This misses the mark; worship is principally for God's pleasure. "4. A general knowledge of the work of priests in the time of Hebrew worship gives the Christian reader significant insights into the priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Hebrews has an intense priestly orientation in its presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ, priest of God in the manner of Melchizedek. "5. In contrast with the highly regulated, highly strictured [restricted] patterns demanded of the priests of the Hebrew economy, the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ today has a direct access to God through the Savior that is nearly unbelievable. We are all priests; we can come near the presence of the Lord without an intermediary. Yet our privilege as believer-priests can only really be appreciated against the background of priests in the biblical period."
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Many of these chapters take me back deep into Genesis 3. I see representations of the presence and roles of Jesus. Constable again – “What is to be made of the writer's exclusion of Moses in these matters that relate so closely to the duties of the priests? Why is Moses so conspicuously left out of the picture [until 18:25]? The answer perhaps lies in the author's desire to tell us something about the role of Moses as leader of God's people. His role is not limited to the work of a priest. Aaron is shown here assuming most of that responsibility. In the view of the writer, then, it appears that the role of Moses was becoming more distinct from the office of priest. Thus the writer attempts to show that Moses' role as mediator of the covenant, already well established throughout these narratives, was not merely a priestly one. There is a concern to show that he also functioned in the role of prophet as well as king, two themes that will receive further development in the book of Deuteronomy (Dt 18:15; 33:5). Hence as the picture of Moses develops within the Pentateuch, it more closely resembles the future messianic ruler, who is anticipated already in the Pentateuch as a prophet, a priest, and a king."[301] We see the link from Moses to Jesus be explicit in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.
MS

Michael Sisson

Romans 11:29 (NASB) …for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Throughout Numbers 18, we read about G-d’s gifts (e.g.: “gift” in Num 18:6-7) and “perpetual allotments.” Yet, today, churches commonly teach Christ “fulfilled” the Law, >>>thus doing away with Temple worship and the Levitical priesthood (the dubious assertion of “false witnesses” in Acts 6:11-14 and Acts 21:21-24,28 and a HUGE stumbling block between Jews and the Gospel to this day).<<< Truly, Christ HAS fully fulfilled all the requirements of the Law. However, that does not necessarily mean He abrogated Temple worship and the Levitical priesthood…as though their ongoing existence would some how threaten the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work. In fact, in Mt 5:17-19, Christ Himself said this would not be the case. Likewise, the ongoing Torah observance of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) own followers (including the Jerusalem Council) demonstrates they saw no contradiction in their faith in Yeshua and their continued participation in Temple worship under the direction of the Levitical priesthood (see Acts 15:1-31; 21:20-22:22; 1Cor 7:17-20). Moreover, in Zech 14:16-19 and elsewhere, we read about the resumption of Temple worship during Messiah’s future reign on Earth. Consequently, today our theology of Christ’s atoning work should allow for ongoing Temple worship and its administration by the Levitical priesthood, even if only to serve as a memorial to all Christ ALONE has done to accomplish our salvation. Jer 33:17-18 even links Yeshua ha Mashiach’s (Jesus Christ’s) eternal reign with the perpetual service of the Levitical priesthood. Jer 33:17-18 (NASB) “For thus says the LORD, >>>‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices continually.’ ”<<< (See also 2Chr 13:5) Re: Num 18:8 Num 18:8 (NASB) Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, “Now behold, I Myself have given you charge of My offerings, even all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel I have given them to you as a portion and to your sons as >>>a perpetual allotment.<<< Re: Num 18:11 Num 18:11 (NASB) “This also is yours, the offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the sons of Israel; I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you as >>>a perpetual allotment.<<< Everyone of your household who is clean may eat it. Re: Num 18:19 Num 18:19 (NASB) “All the offerings of the holy gifts, which the sons of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you, as >>>a perpetual allotment.<<< It is an >>>everlasting covenant of salt<<< before the LORD to you and your descendants with you.” “A ‘covenant of salt’ signifies an everlasting covenant, in the sealing or ratifying of which salt, as an emblem of perpetuity, is used (Nu 18:19; Lev 2:13; 2Ch 13:5).“ — Easton’s Bible Dictionary Re: Num 18:23 Num 18:23 (NASB) “Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; >>>it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations,<<< and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
MB

Michelle Ball

Hugh and Michael, thank you for the additional resources and insights! It’s incredible how something so small like salt can have such deep meaning and impact. I will enjoy studying everything else you noted as well!
SB

Sue Bohlin

OUTSTANDING devo, Michelle! :::standing and clapping::: As I read today's passage, I was grateful for the New Testament teaching that we are blessed to be part of the kingdom of priests, which means that the Old Testament teachings on priests are salient to us today. I hear the Lord calling me, a priest, to always look to Him as my portion and my inheritance (v. 20). He told the Levites through Moses, "You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you." As a priest, I hear His call to honor Him with the best and holiest of everything He gives me. And I understand from the Lord Jesus that where my heart is, there will my treasure be (Matthew 6:21), so by giving Him my best, my heart will follow and I can love Him better.
MS

Michael Scaman

The offerings reserved for the levites were "...shall be most holy to you and to your sons. In a most holy place shall you eat it. " . Emphasis on holy. Holy repeated four times. This would be lost on the sons of Samuel who would be judged for not walking the walk and abusing this. Sticking there forks in the food and binge eating the offerings in a disrespectful way so to speak. Samuel would be rebuked by God for not keeping his sons in line. Later we see a Levite selling some land he owned and laying it at the apostle's feet, namely Barnabus in Acts. Did he have land he was not supposed to have. Maybe. Maybe not? Maybe it was outside Israel or in a city set aside for Levites? And I always liked the children song "Levite Genes"... just saying...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-KFgFbf4y4
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Salt adds flavor to food. I think salt is something a lot of people use and it gets their attention when reading the Bible. 2. The Lord appeared. The appearance of the Lord foreshadowed the desire of the Lord to have people work harder and become stronger believers. 3. I work to serve like Jesus for Frontlines as a greeter at the 5pm Service and as a greeter at the Women’s Bible Study on Wednesdays when it is in session. I also work to serve like Jesus at work because it helps people perform better and generates great opportunities. 4. God cares. Prayer: God thank you for being good for everyone. Thank you for what you do and for what you value. Thank you for sharing those experiences and ideas with all of us. You are amazing and strong in everything and in everyone. We love you. Amen.