Commentary on "Priests and Levites"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, November 14, 2009

 

The introductory lesson for this week says to read the following texts: Numbers 9, 18, 19; 1 Pet.2:9 and Rev. 14:6–12. These all provide good information with which to answer the questions that will be asked throughout the week. As Seventh-day Adventists, the passage from Revelation is one that is not only familiar, but is often used at the exclusion of other pertinent passages from Revelation and other Bible books. Before beginning these lessons, please be sure to read the suggested passages. This will be important as we approach the issues that the lesson author raises.

In today’s lesson, a point is being made that the office of Priests and the office of Levites were not necessarily the same office. The lesson author will use this later to point out that the various members of the body of Christ have different roles and responsibilities. Although a valid point, we will see that this is not the point that God is making with this information as it pertained to Israel. One statement made in today’s lesson that is excellent and must be kept in mind is, “though all these roles and functions long ago have become obsolete, there still are lessons we can draw from them for ourselves today.” This is an important point and will help to identify what we can learn from this lesson, as well as what we cannot learn here.

As we proceed through the lessons this week, we will also identify some important points that were not described in the lessons. The lessons may be limited by space or time constraints, but this should not limit your personal study of these passages.

There is one very interesting verse from the Scripture reading for the week that I’d like to point out. Numbers 9:10 says, "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If any one of you or of your generations becomes unclean because of a dead person, or is on a distant journey, he may, however, observe the Passover to the LORD.”* Although this really has nothing specifically to do with priests or Levites, it does show how the worship of the Lord may be given by all, whether clean or unclean. This will have a distant fulfillment when the Gentiles are brought the good news of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Remember to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you read and study this week.

 

Summary

1. Read the following passages of scripture in preparation for the lessons this week: Numbers 9, 18, 19; 1 Pet. 2:9 and Rev. 14:6–12.
2. The lesson author uses the distinction between the priests and Levites to identify the different roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ. Although both are true, this is not the point being made by these passages in Numbers.
3. Both clean and unclean may participate in the worship of the Lord on the Day of Atonement. The fulfillment of this happens when the Gospel is brought to the Gentiles as recorded in the New Testament.
4. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you read the scripture and study for these lessons.

 

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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