Of Aaron and His Brothers

“The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever.” (1 Chronicles 23:13, NASB95)“For [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes” overflow=“visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=“1_1” background_position=“left top” background_color=“” border_size=“” border_color=“” border_style=“solid” spacing=“yes” background_image=“” background_repeat=“no-repeat” padding=“” margin_top=“0px” margin_bottom=“0px” class=“” id=“” animation_type=“” animation_speed=“0.3” animation_direction=“left” hide_on_mobile=“no” center_content=“no” min_height=“none”][the Levite’s] office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God.“ (1 Chronicles 23:28, NASB95)"Thus they are to keep charge of the tent of meeting, and charge of the holy place, and charge of the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 23:32, NASB95)When King David established the plans for the Temple, he organized the priesthood and their service in the house of the Lord.  His organization was one given of God in previous generations through the Law of Moses, recorded for us in the book of Numbers.  In this organization, Aaron and his descendents were set apart forever as the ones who would continually be in the Temple.Aaron was a descendent (Great-grandson) of Levi.  God had established the Levites as the Priestly tribe.  Just as it was within God’s authority and right to designate a specific tribe for service, it was within His right to establish a specific branch of the family for special service within the ranks of servants.  This is what God choose to do with Aaron’s descendents.The remaining Levites were given rotating duties in Temple service.  David divided these Levites into 24 groups, each to serve a two-week period of time at the Temple.  The remaining 50 weeks of the year these Levites would live in their communities, carrying out their roles as “butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers”.In 1 Chronicles 23:32 we are told that these non-Aaronic Levites were to “keep charge” of the tent of meeting, the Holy Place, and the sons of Aaron.”  It is important to understand what “keep charge” means.  The Hebrew word comes from the word for “Guard post” or “watchman” and specifically has the idea of rotating duties.  These Levites had the role of rotating through the temple for their period of service.  On their watch, they would provide protection over the house of God and the activities of the full-time Aaronic Priests.  Their work was to be supportive as they would “assist the sons of Aaron” and do “the work of the service of the house of God” (v. 28).In the New Testament God has instituted a new form of service in a new organization which is typified as a body.  The ultimate head of the Body is Christ, the earthly head of the body is the Pastor (corresponding to the Aaronic priesthood), and the Levitical servants are the Deacons.Thank God that He has given us a divine plan that works, when we work it according to His plan! In His Grace,Dr. Randy White [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]