seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Numbers 18:21 “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. 22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. 24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”
25 The Lord said to Moses, 26 “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’
30 “Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the tent of meeting. 32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.’”
25 The Lord said to Moses, 26 “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’
30 “Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the tent of meeting. 32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.’”
Short and sweet this morning. This is from the easy English site.
Levi’s tribe did an important job. Their job was dangerous sometimes.
But, like the priests, God did not allow Levi’s tribe to own land or property. Instead, he gave to them a part of the things that belonged to him.
In ancient Israel, people gave one-tenth of their crops and animals to God. Both Abraham and Jacob had done this (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). But it was a new rule that Levi’s tribe must receive it.
Levi’s tribe helped the priests. They were not farmers, like the other Israelites. They did not receive wages for their work. But they did have an income. Their income was one-tenth of the other Israelites’ food and drink. The other Israelites had to give to Levi’s tribe the best part of their food and drink.
Then Levi’s tribe had to give one-tenth to God of what they received. They had to give to God the best part. The rest belonged to them.
- They looked after the sacred objects.
- They carried the parts of God’s Tent when the Israelites travelled.
- Also, Levi’s tribe had to guard God’s Tent so that the other Israelites did not come too near.
- If this happened, it was the fault of Levi’s tribe.
- So Levi’s tribe received a punishment, too.
But, like the priests, God did not allow Levi’s tribe to own land or property. Instead, he gave to them a part of the things that belonged to him.
In ancient Israel, people gave one-tenth of their crops and animals to God. Both Abraham and Jacob had done this (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). But it was a new rule that Levi’s tribe must receive it.
Levi’s tribe helped the priests. They were not farmers, like the other Israelites. They did not receive wages for their work. But they did have an income. Their income was one-tenth of the other Israelites’ food and drink. The other Israelites had to give to Levi’s tribe the best part of their food and drink.
Then Levi’s tribe had to give one-tenth to God of what they received. They had to give to God the best part. The rest belonged to them.
