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• LESSON 7 (February 15) • The Priesthood of the Tabernacle On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Exo 19:1-6) After delivering extensive instructions concerning the pattern of the tabernacle (Exo 25-27), the LORD began outlining to Moses the priesthood which would serve in and around his sanctuary. “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Exo 28:1) Beyond this family, an entire tribe of Israel was set apart by God for the ministry of the tabernacle. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.” (Num 3:5-10)The tribe of Levi uniquely belonged to the LORD (Num 3:11-13). “For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the name of the LORD” (Deut 18:5).“The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD’s food offerings as their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them.” (Deut 18:1-2)A tithing system was instituted by the LORD to provide for these priests and their families (Deut 18:3-8; 14:22-29).