Numbers 3:1 - Meaning and Application

Here, Aaron’s family is confirmed in the priests’ office (Numbers 3:10). They had already been called and set apart for it, and now they are assigned to wait on that ministry. The apostle uses a similar phrase, “let us wait on our ministry” (Romans 12:7). Ministry needs steady attention and hard work, because its tasks come often and its good chances do not last long.

The command is repeated from before, “the stranger who comes near shall be put to death” (Numbers 1:51). This keeps anyone else from taking the priest’s work, because only Aaron and his sons were allowed to come near and minister. It also gave the priests a duty as guardians of God’s house. They had to keep unfit people away, since coming near the holy things in disobedience would profane them and bring death from God, as happened to Uzza. The Jews later said a golden sword was hung over the temple door, perhaps pointing back to the flaming sword at Eden’s entrance, with this warning written on it.

A fuller account is then given of Aaron’s family, repeating what had already been said. First, Aaron’s sons were all anointed to serve before the Lord (Numbers 3:3). This was true even though, as the Lord knew, two of them would prove wise and two foolish. Second, the two older sons, Nadab and Abihu, fell when they offered strange fire, and they died before the Lord (Numbers 3:4). This warning stands at the start of the priesthood laws so every later priest would remember that God is jealous for his holiness and cannot be mocked. The holy anointing oil honored the obedient, but it did not protect the disobedient. It is also said that they had no children, which God arranged as part of their punishment, so none of their descendants would remain as priests to carry on their name after they had dishonored God’s name.

Third, the two younger sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, continued to minister under Aaron’s direction. This shows their care in serving, because they stayed under their father’s eye and learned from him in all they did. Nadab and Abihu likely failed when they acted outside that protection. It is good for younger people to live and work under the guidance of those who are older and more experienced. It was also a comfort to Aaron to see his younger sons act wisely and seriously after his two older sons had failed. It is a deep joy for parents to see their children walking in the truth (3 John 1:4).

Then the Levites are given to Aaron to help him in his work (Numbers 3:9). Aaron was given greater authority over the tribe of Levi than any other prince had over his own tribe. The priestly work was heavy, and there were only three sets of hands to do it, Aaron’s and his two sons’. Since they did not seem to have grown sons of age to help, God appointed the Levites to attend them. Those whom God gives work to, he also provides help for.

The Levites were to minister to the priests in the Lord’s service (Numbers 3:6) and keep Aaron’s charge (Numbers 3:7). In the gospel order, they were like deacons serving under bishops, handling lower tasks while the bishops gave themselves to their special ministry. The Levites killed the sacrifices, and the priests then sprinkled the blood and burned the fat. The Levites prepared the incense, and the priests burned it. They were to keep not only Aaron’s charge, but the charge of the whole congregation as well. This shows how great a trust rests on ministers, for they must be faithful both to Christ and to the people whose care is entrusted to them.

The reason for this arrangement was that the Levites were taken instead of the firstborn. When God spared the firstborn of Israel while striking the firstborn of Egypt, he had enough reason to claim all the firstborn for himself (Numbers 3:13). “All the firstborn are mine.” Even without further explanation, that claim was just, because God is the source and Lord of all life and power. Still, because true obedience should grow out of love and gratitude, the firstborn were first shown special favor before being set apart for special service. When the one who made us also saves us, that gives us a stronger duty to serve him and live for him. God’s right over us through redemption strengthens his right over us through creation.

Because the firstborn were usually the family favorites, some might have thought it a hardship to have their eldest sons serve at the tabernacle. So God took the whole tribe of Levi in place of the firstborn (Numbers 3:12). God’s commands do not place unfair burdens on people or crush their rightful interests and loves. He knew the Israelites would rather part with the Levites than with their firstborn, so he kindly ordered the exchange. Yet for us he did not spare his own Son.