THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AUTHORITY
Recent assaults on the priesthood give occasion for a reaffirmation of its prerogatives. Lest this should tend unduly to elate the family of Aaron, the same Divine oracle which confirms to them their distinguished privileges insists on their grave responsibilities.
I. THE DISTINGUISHED PRIVILEGES OF THE PRIESTS.
1. The priest's office is described as "a service of gift," conferred by God himself (Hebrews 5:4).
2. It was confined to the family of Aaron (Numbers 18:2).
3. It had special duties into which not even the priests' kindred, the Levites, might intrude (Numbers 18:3; Numbers 4:4-15).
4. The priests had authority over the Levites as their ministers (Numbers 18:2), and over the people in a variety of ways: teachers (Le Numbers 10:11); mediators of blessing (Numbers 6:22-26; Deuteronomy 21:5); judges (Deuteronomy 17:8-13); sanitary officers (Leviticus 13:1-59, Leviticus 14:1-57).
5. Provision was made for their daily wants, that they might "attend upon the Lord" without distraction (Numbers 18:8-15).
6. They were thus, as mediators, the means of averting wrath from the nation (Numbers 18:5).
II. THEIR GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES. Lest Aaron's "pride" should "bud" (Ezekiel 7:10), even as his rod had, and the priests should be exalted above measure through the abundance of their privileges, they are reminded of some of their responsibilities.
1. The priests and their father's house (the Levites or Kohathites) had to "bear the iniquity of the sanctuary" (cf. Exodus 28:38). Some errors might be atoned for, but they were responsible for any profanation of the tabernacle.
2. The priests alone had to "bear the iniquity of their priesthood." An annual atonement provided (Le Numbers 16:6), but not for such willful transgressions as Nadab's, or for gross neglect (e.g; Le Numbers 22:9).
3. They had a responsibility in regard to the Levites, not to allow them to intrude into the priest's office, that neither they nor ye also die" (Numbers 18:3).
4. The neglect of these duties might be fatal to others as well as to themselves (Numbers 18:3, Numbers 18:5).
These two truths admit of various applications.
1. To Christian rulers, to statesmen called to the duty of governing a country on Christian principles, but incurring tremendous responsibility thereby. Illustrate from the history of Jeroboam (cf. Jeremiah 45:5; Luke 12:48).
2. To Christian teachers (1 Timothy 3:1, yet James 3:1). The burden of responsibility quite to account for the "Nolo Episcopari." Yet where God calls to the honour he will give strength and grace for the burden.—P.