Numbers 17

v1-7: Even after it was made clear that Aaron had been appointed by God, there were some Israelites who “did not accept the divine appointment, but tried to oppose it.” The issue at hand was that “God wants to rule, but Israel does not want to be ruled.” This tendency sadly still remains, even among God’s people.

v8-13: The buds, blossom, and fruit on Aaron’s rod “was a continuous miracle, and its continuation was an undeniable proof of the truth.” It was carefully preserved, “because that would continually convince the human conscience,” and “silence all disputes about the priesthood.” God will “make those who stubbornly oppose him confess their foolishness sooner or later.”

Numbers 18

v1-7: The priests and Levities were to make sure that the people did not go beyond the limits set for them by teaching and warning them. “To prevent sin is to prevent wrath, and the trouble sin has done should warn us to guard against it both in ourselves and in others.”

v8-19: God made sure that the priests could be “completely devoted to their ministry and not distracted from it by any worldly care” through the provision given to them by the people. This same principle continues to operate in the church as it provides for those who have been set apart by God to serve as pastors.

v20-32: “The Levites were to give God his dues from their tithes, just as the Israelites gave from their produce.” Those who are supported by the church, are not exempt from being “generous with what they have received.”