In verses 1-4, the background is given as the time when God spoke to Moses. We are introduced to the generations of Aaron who were appointed as priests. Aaron had four sons and two of them, Nadab and Abihu died because they made unacceptable offerings to God. Thus, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar to serve as priests during Aaron’s time.

In verses 5-10, were the duties given to the Levites and the priest. The Levites were to serve under the priest like “security guards” watching over them when they ministered before the Lord and the congregation from entering the tent of meeting. While Aaron and his sons were to guard their priesthood from being defiled by any outsiders.

In verses 11-13, God told Moses that He had chosen the Levites to be His firstborn instead of the firstborn of the Israelites, just as every firstborn belongs to Him when He consecrated the firstborn of man and beast when He struck down the firstborn in Egypt. In verses 14-39, He told Moses to take a census of every firstborn of the Levites from a month old upwards and each also the duties they were to perform were also given to them. Thus, Moses did as he was instructed and the numbers of the all the male from the tribe of Levi amounted to 22,000.

In verses 40-49, God then told Moses to do another census of the firstborn of the Israelites as well from the same age upwards. But he was to take the Levites and their cattle instead of the firstborn of the Israelites and their cattle. Moses counted the number of the firstborn of the Israelites amounted to 22,273. God told Moses that for the extra 273, they shall be redeemed at 5 shekels per person. This amounted to 1365 shekels using the shekel of the sanctuary which was twenty gerahs. Moses took the money and gave it to Aaron and his son as God instructed Moses to do.

God is sovereign as our Creator. He has the prerogative to choose the Levites instead of the firstborn He had consecrated before they were set free from their slavery in Egypt. Being the firstborn is to be given a privileged place with a unique responsibility.

As we look at the first couple, Adam, and Eve when they were in the Garden of Eden, they were privileged to enjoy His close presence with them, and were responsible to take care of His holy sanctuary in this place. But they failed as we know to guard themselves and this holy sanctuary of God. Likewise, the priests and the Levites were to do the same as God’s firstborn. They were to guard themselves by keeping themselves holy as well as the holy sanctuary from being defiled by anyone.

Thus, as Jesus is the firstborn of the dead and we are chosen and saved by Him as well as given the priesthood of all believers, we must guard ourselves from any defilement for our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and we are able to enter the holy presence of God without fear of being killed according to the priesthood of Aaron. Therefore, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we must live holy lives and be His faithful witnesses, as this is what we have been chosen and redeemed to do for our Lord and Saviour! Am I living up to what I have been chosen and redeemed for?

My Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I pray for Your sovereign grace and mercy to be bestowed upon me so I may fulfill my calling as Your “priest” in this world. So, help me Lord, I pray.