Day 111

Saturday, December 29

Read Deuteronomy 18

Think About It:

Levi had three sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.  Aaron and Moses were from the family of Kohath.  Only the descendants of Aaron were called “priests” and were allowed to serve at the alter and in the sanctuary proper.  The Levites, who were decedents of Gershon and Merari, assisted the priests in the many ministries connected with the alter and the sanctuary.  Neither the priests nor the Levites were given any inheritance in the land of Israel but lived from the tithes, offerings, and sacrifices that were brought to the sanctuary.

The priests received specified parts from the sacrifices and were given the firstfruits of the grain, oil, wine, and wool.  These came from the tithes of the people.  If the people did not support the priests as God commanded, then the priests would have to find their support elsewhere.  Without the presence of the priests, the ministry at the sanctuary would come to a halt and the people would be without intercession and spiritual help.

The Levites also shared in the gifts of the people, but they lived in the forty-eight cities scattered throughout the nation of Israel.  The Levites would come on their scheduled time to serve at the temple.

The Lord warned against the evil in the land.  What the Lord wants, then and today, is for us to be blameless before the Lord your God.  But moreover, the Lord will raise up a Prophet from among the Israelites to continue to lead them.  The Lord will put His words in his mouth, and he shall speak all that I commanded him.

1. Why was it that the sons of Levi did not receive an inheritance as the other tribes of Israel did?
2. The Lord commanded the Israelites, “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of these nations. What were the specific abominations?  What would those same abominations be today?
3. What did the Lord say about anyone who speaks falsely in the name of the Lord? How would we know it is false?

Family Time:

Memory Verse:

Older & Younger Children: Deuteronomy 18:9

In chapter 18 God commands the Israelites to avoid the wicked customs of other nations that they were going to come into contact with. God calls their ways “abominations” in verse 9.

1. Can you find examples of these wicked customs (see verse 10-11)?
2. People who practice these wicked customs are “abominations to God”. Where do they get their abilities from?