Some would argue that the task of mediation between God and man (i.e. “the priesthood”) is more of a curse than a blessing. After all, you’re not allotted a territorial inheritance, your income is derived from the people, and your job is more or less chosen for you before you were born.
That being said, those exact reasons could be a reason why it’s also called a blessing. You don’t have to fight for your land, you don’t have to worry about income, and you are blessed, by your genealogy, to be in the direct service of God. No other tribe can say that.
God certainly views this selection of Levi as the latter. In Numbers 3:5-10, when He set up the Priesthood, God mentioned that it was a substitution for the firstborn of every family. Instead of every family giving up a child to serve in His presence, now that job is totally filled by the tribe of Levi.
In Numbers 8:19, He expounds upon this action further by calling it a “gift.”
Most people miss the object of that “gift”, though. Whereas the levites were a blessing to everyone, God specifically mentions in this verse that the Levites were a “gift to Aaron and his sons.” What does that mean?
As stated before, the blessing was only a blessing to Aaron’s sons if they appreciated the proximity to God and the responsibility of keeping Israel pure. If they didn’t, then they might very well decide to seek blessings elsewhere.
But why is it a gift to Aaron? Did God mean that exclusively about him, or was this statement a passing mention of His lineage?
I think this can be best seen by looking at what Jethro gave to Moses back in Exodus 18. When he saw all the responsibility that was on Moses’ shoulders, Jethro told him to appoint judges to help. Otherwise, according to Jethro, Moses would wear himself out.
Aaron now has the same thing. Instead of taking the full burden of the priesthood on his shoulders, he has thousands of family members that will help. They’re divinely ordained to assist him in the daily duties that the priesthood requires.
They will also keep him accountable. Nobody’s perfect, so Aaron’s priests will work together to ensure that every tiny point of the Law is taken care of and point out errors to maintain the purity of the worship.
Don’t we have that today? We’re conditioned to think that we have to do all things by ourself—or maybe that’s just our pride talking.
As a father, I may believe that I have the full responsibility of my children. But I have a wife that is an equal partner in that task and shares the load.
As a preacher, I may think that I have to control the teaching and spiritual diet of a church. But I have elders and deacons that watch me closely and advise me on what to do.
As a son, I may feel like it’s my responsibility to take care of my parents as they get older. But I have two brothers and a community of friends that will help.
Nobody works alone, especially not the high priest of Israel. And even if he had designs on handling the big job by himself, God knew he needed help. That’s where his descendants came in.
