Topical Bible: Priest: Benefits of Things Devoted

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In the biblical context, priests held a unique and sacred role within the community of Israel, serving as mediators between God and His people. One of the significant aspects of their service involved the benefits they received from things devoted to the Lord. These benefits were not merely material but were deeply intertwined with the spiritual and communal life of Israel.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of things devoted, or "herem" in Hebrew, refers to items or possessions set apart for the Lord, often through a vow or as part of the sacrificial system. The devoted things were considered holy and were to be used exclusively for God's purposes. In the context of the priesthood, these devoted items provided for the sustenance and support of the priests and their families, allowing them to focus on their sacred duties.

Provision for the Priests

The Book of Numbers outlines the specific provisions for the priests from the devoted things. Numbers 18:8-9 states, "Then the LORD said to Aaron, 'Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to Me. All the holy offerings of the Israelites are yours. I give them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. This shall be yours from the most holy offerings, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering, every sin offering, and every guilt offering that they bring to Me shall be most holy for you and your sons.'"

This passage highlights the divine ordinance that the priests were to receive a portion of the offerings brought by the Israelites. These offerings included grain, sin, and guilt offerings, which were considered most holy. The priests' share of these offerings ensured their material needs were met, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their spiritual responsibilities.

Spiritual Significance

The benefits of things devoted to the priests were not merely transactional but carried profound spiritual significance. By receiving these offerings, the priests were reminded of their role as intermediaries between God and His people. The devoted things symbolized the people's dedication to God and their acknowledgment of His sovereignty. In turn, the priests' acceptance and proper use of these offerings reinforced the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Community and Worship

The distribution of devoted things to the priests also fostered a sense of community and collective worship among the Israelites. As the people brought their offerings, they participated in a communal act of worship, recognizing the holiness of God and the importance of supporting those who served in His presence. This system of provision underscored the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material aspects of life in Israel.

Conclusion

The benefits of things devoted to the priests were integral to the functioning of the priesthood and the spiritual life of Israel. These provisions ensured that the priests could fulfill their sacred duties without distraction, while also reinforcing the communal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. Through the devoted things, the Israelites expressed their devotion to God, and the priests, in turn, facilitated the people's access to the divine presence.

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Leviticus 27:21
But the field, when it goes out in the jubilee, shall be holy to the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.
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Numbers 5:9,10
And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his.
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Numbers 18:14
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be yours.
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Library

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... government of a heavenly King, if its benefits were not ... Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
are all things, and we ... Christ now bears the office of priest, not only that ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... may be prepared to receive all his benefits with true ... I do not mention these things
that believers may ... had commanded in the Law, that the priest alone should ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... signs, but to teach that the bread devoted to the ... For, in order to make all things
consistent, the meaning ... unless we would destroy all the benefits with which ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

Chapter ii
... God's help to do all these things in God's way ... But all these untold benefits, of
which the Holy ... The First Christ, Jesus, our Great High Priest, forever blessed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the possibilities of prayer/chapter ii.htm

2 Timothy i. 10-Aug
... and overbearing, and guilty of many other such things. ... doth he of himself bestow
upon thee these great benefits? ... life or the virtue of the Priest that confers ...
/.../homily ii 2 timothy i.htm

The Investigative Judgment.
... dead are to be judged "out of those things which were ... Those who would share the benefits
of the Saviour's ... of the position and work of their great High Priest. ...
/.../28 the investigative judgment.htm

Facing Life's Record
... dead are to be judged "out of those things which were ... Those who would share the benefits
of the Saviour's ... of the position and work of their great High Priest. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 28 facing lifes record.htm

(On the Mysteries. V. )
... us good, and counting us meet for such great benefits. ... After this the Priest says,
"Holy things to holy ... of the Holy Ghost; the holy things therefore correspond ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xxiii on the mysteries.htm

Thankful Service.
... What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?". ... God's Priest does not say,
"let me pray for you ... to make us gladly render unto God the things that are ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lix thankful service.htm

The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr.
... one place he first of all urged the benefits of mercy ... of time as due in making promise
of future things. ... from Xistus, the good and peace-making priest, and on ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/the life and passion of.htm