Thinking in 3’s - Numbers 16:9 - The Privileges of Pastoring

It is a privilege to be involved in pastoral ministry. It is different from many other professions, in that it’s not just a job; not really a profession; it’s more of a calling. It is a step away from how most people live their lives.

In the Book of Numbers, in the account of Korah’s rebellion, Moses recounts some of the benefits of Levitical ministry. In the Old Testament, to be a Levite, you had to be from the tribe of Levi (I’m guessing you had already figured that out). The Israelite priesthood was from the tribe of Levi, but not all Levites were priests. Priests were specifically descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses. There are many who are descendants of Levi who are not descendants of Aaron.

Levites, the whole tribe, was separated from Israel. They were dedicated to the care of the tabernacle. They did not receive a land inheritance. 

In the New Testament, all believers are priests. Pastors are not more priestly than any other believer. I think a more likely parallel would be the more general Levite, separate in some ways from the rest of the people. It is not a direct parallel, but similar in some respects.

Korah, who was rebelling against Moses’ (Aaron’s) authority, is a Levite, not a priest. He rallies the people against Moses, and Moses says this to them:

“Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi, is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;” (Numbers 16:8–9 NAS95)

1. “To bring you near to Himself.” We are brought near to God in Christ, and that would apply to every single believer, pastor or not. We cannot get closer to God than that. The way I would phrase this is that pastors are called to be heavily involved in “the things of God,” including in prayer, in God’s Word, and with God’s people. Our time is to be devoted to those things, while the time of many other believers involves responsibilities that carry you many other directions. It is a privilege to be devoted to “the things of God.”

2. “To do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord.” The Old Testament tabernacle was wood and cloth - material objects. And certainly many pastors spend some time caring for aspects of the church building (lots and lots of folding chairs). But more importantly is caring for the spiritual concerns of people, and interacting with church family who are involved in various areas of church ministry, whether inside the church, or outside.

3. “To stand before the congregation to minister to them.” This is a privilege. Others from the congregation “stand before” the congregation, but I am thinking here of the preaching of the Word, ordinarily done by the pastor. It is a great responsibility, and a high privilege, to seek to dip deeply in God’s Word each week, and then to share and challenge from that Word of God.

The final point is that the pastor is to never usurp the authority, or the honor, that belongs to the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Our job is to take care of details so that the functioning of Jesus Christ among His people is unhindered. And that would be true of all of us, pastor or not.