1 This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.
2 The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
3 Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.
4 Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.
5 The Lord said to Moses,
6 “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle.
8 They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle.
9 Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.
10 Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”
11 The Lord also said to Moses,
12 “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,
13 for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”

Reflection

When the Chosen are Judged (3:1–4)
The holiness of God is continually underscored throughout the book of Numbers. Here, we are reminded of two truths about those whom God calls to lead and serve His people. First, it is God who calls and sets aside those He places in positions of spiritual authority. Second, being a spiritual leader requires more than receiving and accepting God’s call. Ministry to God’s people flows out of a deep reverence for God Himself. When a chosen servant abandons that reverence, they face God’s judgment because God is holy. Those who serve His people must never lose sight of this truth. To do so is to court disaster in one’s life and ministry, as seen in the reminder of the death of Aaron’s sons.

- Linger on the truth that God has set you apart as His very own. In light of God’s holiness, what are some things you can pray over your spiritual leaders?

The Unnoticed Servants (3:5–13)
God sets apart the Levites for special service. What a privilege, and at the same time, what a weighty responsibility! The work of the Levites is no simple task. They are to take care of the tabernacle, breaking it down when the people move, then setting it up when the congregation camps. This kind of ministry is difficult and, at times, perhaps even unnoticed and unrewarded. So it is today. Many who serve in our churches take on tasks and responsibilities crucial to ministry but out-of-sight and out-of-mind. They often go unnoticed like the many unnamed Levites working in the tabernacle. If you are one of those people, be encouraged knowing that God notices your service and it is of high value to Him.

- Does this passage bring to mind any fellow church member who serves faithfully in an unnoticed ministry? Think of some ways to encourage and thank them. 

A letter to God 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the servant leaders You have placed in Your church. Teach Your people to live according to Your holiness and to revere Your name. Keep us from prideful attitudes and ways. May we always look to You as the source of our lives and ministries. In Your name, amen.

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