What roles did Aaron's sons have, and how can we serve today? Aaron’s sons in Scripture - “These were the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” (Numbers 3:2) - Nadab – firstborn priest, witnessed Sinai’s glory (Exodus 24:9–10), died for offering “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-2). - Abihu – served alongside Nadab; shared the same judgment. - Eleazar – chief over the Levites “responsible for the oversight of the sanctuary” (Numbers 3:32); succeeded Aaron as high priest (Numbers 20:26-28). - Ithamar – supervised the Gershonite and Merarite clans (Numbers 4:28, 33); kept the accounts of tabernacle materials (Exodus 38:21). Priestly assignments spelled out - Offer daily, weekly, and festival sacrifices (Leviticus 1–7; Numbers 28–29). - Tend the continual fire on the altar (Leviticus 6:12-13). - Burn incense on the golden altar at the set times (Exodus 30:7-8). - Carry and guard the holy furniture when Israel camped or traveled (Numbers 4:4-15). - Teach God’s statutes to the people (Leviticus 10:11). - Pronounce the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:22-27). - Oversee the Levites’ varied duties—transport, maintenance, and security of the tabernacle (Numbers 3–4). Timeless principles we see - God Himself assigns ministries (Hebrews 5:4). - Holiness is non-negotiable; careless worship invites judgment (Leviticus 10:3). - Different tasks, equal value—Eleazar’s oversight, Ithamar’s accounting, Levites’ carrying (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). - Faithful service passes to the next generation (Numbers 20:28; Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Serving in Christ’s priesthood today “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). Because Jesus is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), every believer now ministers: - Worship: offer “a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15) and present our bodies “as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). - Intercession: pray without ceasing for others (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1). - Proclamation: declare God’s excellencies (1 Peter 2:9) and teach sound doctrine (2 Timothy 2:2, 15). - Stewardship: manage resources faithfully, like Ithamar with the tabernacle accounts (1 Corinthians 4:2). - Holiness: pursue purity in conduct and thought (1 Peter 1:15-16). - Service: use spiritual gifts for the body’s good (1 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 6:10). - Blessing: speak life over others, reflecting the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24-26; Ephesians 4:29). Putting it into practice this week - Schedule a daily time of praise and Scripture as your “altar fire.” - Identify one person to intercede for every day. - Share one truth from God’s Word with a friend or family member. - Inventory your finances, time, and talents; dedicate them to the Lord’s service. - Remove any “unauthorized fire”—habits or attitudes that compromise holiness. - Speak a biblical blessing over your home, workplace, or church gathering. |
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