“Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of YHWH, shall die. Are we all to perish?” Chapter 17 ends with this question as the people take stock of their situation after a series of rebellions and tests of the unique role of the priesthood. They should neither grumble against those who YHWH has put into this role nor presume that they can elevate themselves into a similar stature through braggadocio or harassment of those currently called.
So the lament is relevant one, and ironically God’s answer is the very thing that the people have been quarreling about. How are the people to be protected in the holy presence of YHWH? The priests and Levites. The discussion in this chapter is mostly a repeat of instructions that God has already provided (the thing the people are crying out for is already in place). However, now that the Israelites are clearly recognizing the need for it, YHWH reminds Aaron (who He rarely addresses directly) and his sons of the protections that have been put into place for the people.
Ultimately, the priests are responsible for making sure the sacrifices go as they are supposed to. In turn, it’s the Levites job to protect the priests as they are doing their work in the sanctuary. What kind of protection? Well, keeping people who don’t belong from entering is a good start. If the bold Korah, for example, had simply attempted to strut into the Tent of Meeting (holy place) instead of claiming his equivalence with Aaron with his salty mouth from afar, he would have died directly. And the Levites would have borne responsibility for not protecting the area like they were supposed to.
Back to the priests, they have the same responsibility but in relation to the inside of the tent and the altar. This includes what is sacrificed and who is doing it (certainly the judgment upon Aaron’s sons would jump to his mind here for offering unauthorized sacrifices). It is in this way that the people are protected from the judgment they just encountered with the plague and the swallowing up of folks from the ground. Verse 7 affirms this unique role and YHWH’s specific intention in it. The priesthood was a gift to the lineage of Aaron and anyone who tries to infringe upon God’s gift will be put to death.
As part of the reminder of that gift, YHWH reasserts what comes with it. Aaron and the priests are given everything that the people give to God. This includes the most holy things such as those that have been offered on the altar (grain, meat that isn’t consumed in the fire, etc.) These are for the priests and can be eaten in the holy place. In addition, the wave offering can be shared with the whole family (not just male lineage priests) as well as the first fruits of the land that people bring to God and the wine and the grain.
Then He talks about the “devoted” things. These essentially are the “first fruits” of the wombs, whether it be animal or human. For humans and unclean animals, they get the redemption price (money) instead of possession of the baby or animal. For clean animals, the first one is simply given to the priests. They are to burn the fat as an offering, sprinkle the blood on the altar, and then they can have the other meat for themselves. As whole, all that is given to God He gives that to the priests and their family as His provision for them. Unlike the rest of the descendants of Jacob (Israel), they don’t get land. However, to be the group who God says, “I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel” seems pretty sweet.
Now on to the Levites, YHWH has provided a means for them to be cared for as well. We knew back in Leviticus that there was a tithe happening in the land but not exactly what happened to it. Well, it goes to the Levites. And their responsibilities are reiterated. They are to keep folks of Israel away from Tent of Meeting lest their uncleanliness run smack dab into God’s holiness and lose the battle.
When it comes to the tithe, though, the Levites still have to tithe. So a tithe of the tithe is given and is counted the same as the grain or wine or bread or whatever else people are giving to YHWH. These best bits go to YHWH who then gives them to the priests. But the rest they get to keep in return for their service to the sanctuary. It’s dangerous work, not only defending the holiness of the place by keeping others out but being susceptible to defiling a holy thing yourself. And YHWH reminds them of this very danger at the end of the chapter.
