Its Dependence Upon the People by J. O. Corliss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

Its Dependence Upon the People

By J. O. Corliss

History of the Jewish Priesthood — No. 6

Its Dependence Upon the People

J. O. CORLISS

In separating the Levites from among the other tribes for the service of God, they were also deprived of all inheritance in the country of their residence. Deut. 14:29. This was a wise rule, because it tended to simplify their lives, and to give them an individual purpose in their calling. Had they been required to provide a support for themselves and their families, their devotion to religious work would have been inconstant, and therefore detrimental to the religious interests of the people.

On the other hand, the people for whom the Levites lived and labored were required to provide for the sustenance of the Levites, so that their entire time

could be devoted to the special work to which they were called. The people were especially enjoined not to forget the needs of the Levites. Deut. 12:19. A specific regulation was approved, by which each householder in all the tribes might contribute his share of this support, and that none might be exempt from the general requisition. This, too, was just, inasmuch as the services of the Levites were open to all classes, high and low, rich and poor alike.

This regulation included, first of all, a tenth part of all that was raised in Israel. Num. 18:20, 21. These tithes of the land’s increase were mostly carried, in kind, to certain storehouses, where officers were appointed to receive the tithes, and apportion them out to the Levites according to their needs. Neh. 13:12, 13. At one time this custom had fallen into decay, and the inevitable result followed; namely, the Levites were obliged to seek their living in the fields. Verse 10.

The tithes thus received by the Levites were counted as an heave-offering, or an oblation lifted up unto God, by the people. Verse 24. The Levite (descended from Moses), being the first removed above the people, was supposed to offer a tenth from his portion received, as another heave-offering, this one to be lodged with the anointed family of Aaron. This second heave-offering was counted to the Levite as if it had been his own increase of the threshing-floor or the wine-press. Verses 26-30. Failing to offer the tenth of the tithe he received, the Levite became guilty of sin, by the use of that which came from the people to him. Verses 31, 32.

Besides this secondary heave-offering from the Levites of the people’s tithes, the priests, because of their heavenly anointing, were given charge over all other offerings of the people, and to them fell all that part of the sacrifices reserved from the fire, such as trespass- and sin-offerings, the wave-offering, also the best of the oil, wine, and wheat, the first-fruits of which were offered, and were partaken of by the entire family of each priest, provided they had in no way become unfitted to do so. Num. 18:8-19.

It has been stated that the Levites had no inheritance in the land of Israel. While no one portion of the country was set apart for their tribe, they did have no fewer than forty-eight cities assigned to them for places of abode. These cities were located in various parts of the country and among all the tribes. Some tribes gave more of their cities for this purpose, and some fewer, according to the number each possessed. Num. 35:7, 8.

Each of the cities thus controlled by the Levites had suburbs of large extent. These have been estimated to include enough land for each Levite to occupy fifteen acres. Num. 35:2-5. Besides area enough for family gardens and vineyards, the rest of the land was devoted to grazing purposes. But while so large a tract was allotted to these sanctuary workers, and they were permitted to dwell there two weeks out of every three, yet this plan was not designed for their financial profit. One object in the home labor was to provide good health and a clear mind for direct contact with the people; their cattle industry was for the advancement of God’s work in another way.

When the Levites were separated from the other tribes for the special work of the sanctuary, they were thus selected in the place of the first-born of all the other tribes. With them were also dedicated to the Lord all their cattle, instead of the firstlings of cattle belonging to the other tribes. By this plan the Levites provided, from the cattle on their ranges, all the daily national offerings required. Num. 3:41. It was for this reason that they were given such large scope of lands for grazing purposes. Joshua 14:4. So whether the Levites were at the sanctuary or in the cities allotted to them, they were constantly employed in the interests of the sanctuary work.

Matters did not always move smoothly, however, between the priests and the Levites. As in every other age, there came times when the latter thought the former were not conducting their affairs of office properly. One special revolt against the priests was led by Korah, a Levite of considerable renown. Conspiring with three others of the tribe of Reuben, the four men succeeded in winning the good offices of two hundred fifty leading princes of the nation for the overthrow of the controlling priests.

Their plea was that the congregation was already holy, and did not need the ministrations of the priests, by which they became so greatly lifted above the rank and file of the people. Num. 16:3. It soon became evident, however, that these men were reaching to obtain the very office they decried. Regardless of the organization ordained of God, they were ready to destroy the existing order, that they themselves might assume the responsibilities of leading the people. They had so deceived themselves about the situation, and had so far secured sympathizers for their cause, that they were willing to risk their standing with the people in the hope of vindication, by simply renouncing the priestly administration.

But when a priestly test was offered by Moses, they at first refused to come forward and take the censers offered them. They excused themselves on the ground that they feared Moses desired to bring them out in the open, where he could kill them without reserve. Moses, however, pressed the matter, saying that since they had sought elevation to the priesthood, it was at least unbecoming to hide behind such unwarranted assumptions.

Korah and the leaders in his rebellion were finally induced, probably from shame, to accept the challenge, and were removed quickly by the Lord’s hand, through the earth opening where they stood and engulfing them. The two hundred fifty princes who had sympathized with these leaders were then devoured by descending fire, in the presence of all the people.

This was but the same old story, which was first manifested in the case of Satan, of reaching for power not delegated by God, in order to stand above others, and to rule over them. Isa. 14:13, 14. It is strange that men have not even yet learned to let God direct his own people in his own way, but are still willing to lead attacks against heaven’s organized work. As in the case of the Levite Korah, such efforts are generally backed by overweening ambition to fill the place, and to take over the power, of the antagonized. The entire eighteenth chapter of Numbers is profitable for consideration by all such.

Mountain View, Cal.