“You Shall Bear the Guilt”
Numbers 18:1
These words were spoken to Aaron and his sons regarding the task they have been assigned by God. Aaron was given the task of standing in the gap between man and God. He was to represent God to man and to intercede for man to God. God gave him the authority to be the High Priest, but with authority comes responsibility and in God’s kingdom where authority and responsibility are given there will also be accountability.
In Aaron’s case he was to teach the people God’s law and His ways. If he was faithful to do this and the people went astray he was not accountable for their sins. But if he failed to teach the people God’s Law and God’s ways and the people went astray, God was going to hold Aaron accountable for the sins of the people.
In the world people want authority because they equate it with power, prestige, and freedom to do what they want. This was the case with Korah and Dathan in our last study and Miriam and Aaron when they challenged Moses in a previous study.
When things get out of order it is time to stop and set things straight. That is what God is doing in chapter 18. God is the ultimate authority and He has a plan and a Job for Aaron and his descendants. He also has a plan for you and me and these may be very different from one person to another. The important thing to remember is to be found doing what God has called us to do and not coveting what someone else is doing for God. Each of us will be accountable to God for what He has called and equipped us to do.
In the chapters ahead we will see examples of things going badly when the authority, responsibility, and accountability structure gets out of order because of grumbling, a desire for power, or riches, or even frustration as in Numbers 20:1-12. But we will have to wait for these other events to unfold in our study.
For now here are some verses to study.
Ezekiel 33:1-20; Matthew 8:8-13; 20:25-28; 21:43; 23:1-12; 1 Corinthians 11:1-3; 1 Peter 5:3
Don’t color outside the lines!
Pastor Dave