With Fear and Trembling the Honors of His Duty

SERMON: #1125 Date: SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

TOPIC: "With Fear and Trembling the Honors of His Duty" Numbers 18:1-8 As it is read, we see that Aaron is already fully established and confirmed in his PRIESTLY DUTY. Now God gives him complete instructions concerning his ministry. He tells him what his job will be and what assistance or help he is to receive from the Levites. He also mentions the rights that he and his children would obtain in such ministry.

I. In those times it was dangerous for the Israelites to personally approach God, the sanctuary.

A. For the complaints and requests of the people, then God establishes Aaron to be the one who will approach (God) the sanctuary as the representative of the people.

1. God addresses Aaron to remind him of the "responsibility" that "weighs" on him and the obligations "that he wants from him, so that he may fulfill them as a priest."

2. Thus, Aaron could see the reason for "receiving with fear and trembling" the "honors" of his duty when considering how great "the burden that God placed upon him” is.

3. GOD MAKES HIM SEE THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS CONNECTED TO HIS DUTY.

4. (Vs. 1 and Vs. 2) The responsibility of the priest and the Levites who would bear the iniquity of the sanctuary was great; that is, if the sanctuary was desecrated by the intrusion (entrance) of strangers or ceremonially (of the cult) unclean people, the guilt would be imputed to the Levites and the priests "who had the duty" to "not" “allow them to come near”.

5. That the priest would bear the sin of his priesthood means that they would be accused if they allowed any other person (not even the Levites could do it) to usurp the priestly functions, which was the exclusive prerogative (privilege and permission) of Aaron and his sons; likewise, if they themselves neglected "any part of their work."

6. God tells him what the duties linked to his ministerial dignity are.

7. That he and his children were to serve before the Tabernacle of the Testimony. In other words, they would serve in the Holy Place, which was in front of the veil, which separated it from the Holiest Place (the Ark was in the Holiest Place). The Holy Place was inside the Tabernacle of meeting but on the outside of the veil.

8. The priests had to attend the golden altar, the table and the lampstand, places that “no Levite” could attend or approach (Vs. 3).

9. (Vs. 7) GOD SAID TO THEM: “…MINISTER…” HE DID NOT TELL THEM: GOVERN!

10. The ministers should know that they are only servants who are required to be humble, diligent (with great interest and care) and "faithful."

11. The Levites are to assist him and his children, and serve them in all matters concerning the service of the tabernacle, "although they may in no way approach the utensils of it." (Vs. 3)

12. That both the priests and the Levites are to watch carefully "SO THAT THE SACRED THINGS ARE NOT PROFANED."

13. The Levites would be in charge of the care of the Tabernacle, and the priests would be in charge of the care of the Sanctuary (God's abode, the House of the Lord!).

14. (Vs. 4.7) The priests should instruct the people and warn them regarding the distance they should keep.

15. (Vs. 8) 2 Timothy 2:4 The priest's service is known as the militia (a technique of making war and preparing soldiers for it). And, who goes to war at his own expense? Their employment being so high, they would also be provided abundantly for their needs; those who served the altar lived off the altar.

16. 1 Corinthians 9:13 Don’t you not know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?

17. Thus (Vs. 14), the Lord also commanded that those who preach the gospel, to live from the gospel.

18. Shameful maintenance produces shameful ministers.

19. (John 15:16) I chose you...to go and bear fruit...

20. (Acts 9:15) This is my chosen instrument … to carry my Name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

21. (1 Corinthians 1:27, 28) God chose the foolish things of the world … (Vs. 28) the lowly things of this world, the despised God chose, and what is not, to undo what is ...

22. Much of the provision given to the priests proceeded from the sacrifices they themselves offered to God (in their regular work).

23. Jesus (Matthew 28:20) said: Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

24. In this way, Christ provides for the ministry of the Gospel to continue until He comes.

25. Christ has provided the Church and the world with a perpetual ministry, with clear and manifested specifications for pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), charged with adequately equipping the rest of the congregation for the great task of building up the Church (Ephesians 4:12, 13).

26. It is very well reasoned that pastors and teachers be cared for, respected and obeyed, “so that” they carry out their ministry with joy and not complaining, because this “is not beneficial” for the congregation (Hebrews 13:17). Amen.