THE LEVITIES AS REDEEMERS FOR THE PEOPLE 1- God is merciful and patient with His people, but firm with His servants and priests, because they occupy leading positions and represent the first-born of the people. The punishment against the 2 sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu was fast and severe even though their names had significant meanings: Nadab (Generous), Abihu (He is my father). Nadab and Abihu were from the few that God allowed on mount Sinai (Ex. 24:1). They were anointed as ministers to God (Ex. 28:1). It is said that they were drunk when they offered profane fire to the Lord. Hence God prohibited the priests to enter the Tabernacle after drinking wine or spirits (Lev 10:9). Some explained that this resulted from their self- dependence without seeking the advice of their father (The need for priests to become disciples themselves and seek fatherly advice). 2- The levites represented Deacons: They slaughter the sacrificial animal and the priests sprinkle the blood and burn the fat. They prepare the incense and the priests burn it, presenting it to the Lord. The Deacon is an assistant to the priest in all his services whether it is a priestly service or a guardianship service. 3- The levites were considered a gift from the people to God (3:9), they replace first-born. Levi was not the first-born but was the third among his brothers Reuben and Simeon. A "First-born" is not based on physical birth. 4- God divided the work among the levites in this fashion: a) Aaron and his sons were assigned the priesthood. As for the rest of the tribe, they merely served as assistants to the priests keeping charge of the hollies of the tabernacle, carrying it on their shoulders during their journeys after the priests had covered it. They were one of the groups whom David the prophet chose to sing Psalms to the Lord (1 Chron. 25:26). They obtained great honour. b) The sons of Gershon: Chronologically, Gershon was the first-born of Levi. Their duty was to guard the Tabernacle, the tent with its covering and the screen for the door of the Tabernacle of meeting... Two carts and four bulls were granted to help them during their journey. c) The sons of Merari: Their duty was to guard the boards of the Tabernacle, its bars and pillars. These were heavy articles so they were granted four carts and eight bulls. 5- The levites were counted. The count of all the males a month old and upwards. They were 22,000. The numeral 22 coincides with the number of the Hebrew Alphabet, the numeral 1000 is a symbol of heaven. As if their work was to register the names of all the people in a heavenly language so that everyone may share in the heavenly glory. The number of the first-borns from all the people of Israel was 22, 273. 273 souls were left uncompensated for. For the redemption of each one of them, 5 shekels were to be presented to Aaron and his sons. The numeral 273 is a symbol of our redemption through baptism or spiritual birth. The https://coptic-treasures.com/ 10 physical birth requires the fetus to remain two hundred and seventy days in his mother's womb (9 X 30 = 270), and this spiritual birth is accomplished by 3 immersions. As for the five shekels they symbolize the sanctification of the five senses, so that we may become like the five wise virgins (Matth. 25).
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