And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sonnes, and they shall waite on their priests office: and the stranger that commeth nigh, shall bee put to death. Numbers 3:10 (KJV)
The book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible, continues the narrative of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In this verse God instructs Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons to the priestly duties of the tabernacle, establishing a divinely chosen line of ministers.
God commands that Aaron, the older brother of Moses, be set apart as high priest and that his sons assist him. This appointment creates a hereditary priesthood that serves as mediators between God and His people. The reference to the Levites underscores that the priestly office belongs to the tribe set apart for sacred service.
The phrase “wait on their priest’s office” describes the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons: serving at the tabernacle, offering burnt offerings, leading worship, making intercessions, and caring for the holy objects and rituals. Their work enables the people to approach God through prescribed worship and sacrifice.
The latter clause, “and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death,” stresses the seriousness of unauthorized access to the holy sanctuary. The tabernacle was a sacred space, and only those appointed by God were permitted to enter. Anyone who approached without proper authority faced the penalty of death, highlighting the holiness of God’s presence.
Application points arise from this passage. First, divine appointments remind believers that God selects individuals for specific roles and equips them for those tasks. Second, the strict measures teach reverence for God’s presence; the severity of the penalty underscores the need for respect and holiness. Third, the priestly role foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice and intercessor for humanity. Finally, while the Old Testament covenant was exclusive to Israel, the New Testament reveals that through Christ, access to God’s presence is now open to all who believe.
Overall, Numbers 3:10 highlights the appointment of Aaron and his sons, their sacred duties, and the strict protection of the sanctuary, offering timeless lessons on divine calling, reverence, mediation, and the expanding scope of God’s covenant.
