“And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and continues the narrative of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In this particular verse, God is instructing Moses regarding the appointment of Aaron and his sons, the Levites, to serve in the priestly duties of the tabernacle.
The Appointment of Aaron and His Sons: God commands Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons for the priestly office. Aaron, the older brother of Moses, was chosen by God to be the high priest, and his sons were to assist him in the priestly duties. This appointment was significant because it established a lineage of priests that would serve as mediators between God and the people of Israel.
The Priestly Duties: The verse mentions that Aaron and his sons were to “wait on their priest’s office.” This refers to their responsibilities in serving at the tabernacle, conducting the sacrifices, and offering prayers on behalf of the people. The priestly duties included offering burnt offerings, leading worship, making intercessions, and maintaining the sacred objects and rituals of the tabernacle.
The Severity of Unauthorized Approach: The latter part of the verse states, “and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” This emphasizes the strictness of God’s commandments regarding the approach to the holy sanctuary. The tabernacle was a sacred place, and only those who were appointed by God were permitted to enter and carry out the priestly functions. Unauthorized individuals, referred to as “strangers” in this context, faced severe consequences, even death, if they attempted to approach the sanctuary.
Lessons and Applications:
- Divine Appointments: God specifically chose Aaron and his sons for the priestly office. This illustrates the principle that God appoints individuals for specific roles and purposes within His plan. It reminds us that God equips and enables those whom He calls to fulfill their appointed tasks.
- Reverence for God’s Presence: The strict measures outlined in this verse reveal the importance of approaching God’s presence with reverence and respect. While the consequences mentioned may seem harsh, they served as a reminder to the Israelites that God’s holiness should not be taken lightly.
- Mediation and Intercession: The appointment of Aaron and his sons as priests highlights the concept of mediation between God and His people. In the Old Testament, the priests acted as mediators, interceding on behalf of the people and offering sacrifices for their sins. This foreshadowed the ultimate mediator and high priest, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.
- Exclusivity of God’s Covenant: The restriction on unauthorized individuals approaching the tabernacle emphasizes the exclusivity of God’s covenant with the Israelites. It reminds us that there is a distinction between the people of God and those outside of the covenant. However, in the New Testament, through Jesus Christ, the access to God’s presence is made available to all who believe in Him.
Overall, Numbers 3:10 highlights the appointment of Aaron and his sons as priests, their duties in serving at the tabernacle, and the strictness of God’s instructions regarding access to the holy sanctuary. It teaches us about divine appointments, reverence for God’s presence, the role of mediation and intercession, and the exclusivity of God’s covenant in the Old Testament.
