“And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.”
Context:The book of Numbers is primarily concerned with the period of Israel’s wilderness wanderings. In Numbers 18, God appoints Aaron and his sons as priests and assigns them specific duties regarding the tabernacle and offerings. This verse is part of the instructions given to the priests regarding the tithes and offerings brought by the children of Israel.
The principle of “heaving”:The term “heaved” in this verse refers to a specific type of offering where a portion of the consecrated items is lifted up before the Lord as an act of dedication and devotion. It was a ritual of presenting the best part of the offering to God.
Avoiding sin:The verse states that the priests shall bear no sin when they have heaved the best portion of the offering. This means that by fulfilling their duty of setting aside the best part for the Lord, the priests are free from any guilt or sin associated with the offering. This emphasizes the importance of following God’s instructions precisely to maintain purity and avoid sin.
Sanctity of holy things:The verse also emphasizes the need to maintain the sanctity of the holy things of the children of Israel. The priests were commanded not to pollute or treat lightly the offerings brought by the people, as doing so would result in death. This serves as a reminder that the holy things dedicated to God should be treated with reverence and respect.
Spiritual application:Although this verse contains instructions specific to the priests and the offerings in the Old Testament context, there are spiritual principles that can be applied today. It reminds believers to give their best to God, offering Him their time, resources, and talents in a manner that reflects reverence and honour. It encourages us to follow God’s instructions faithfully, avoiding any form of defilement or disrespect in our approach to worship and service.
In conclusion, Numbers 18:32 highlights the importance of offering the best to God and maintaining the sanctity of the holy things. It reminds us to approach our worship and service to God with reverence, following His instructions faithfully. By doing so, we can honour God and avoid sin, reflecting a heart devoted to Him.
