On the job hazards...

In Numbers 3, the Levites were set aside by God, for Himself, as substitutes for the firstborns of the Israelites. And in Numbers 4, instructions on their specific duties were given to Moses and Aaron. It must have been a great privilege for the Levites to have been given their priestly role. However, the job was not without on-site hazards!

They had to obey all of God's instructions carefully, otherwise they could potentially die! For example, "the Kohathites (members of one of the Levite clans) must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die". Two famous on-the-job casualties were Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, who were burned up by a blaze that came "forth from the Lord's presence" for using the wrong kind of fire in their incense burners. I can imagine the immense pressure the Levites must have felt each time they had to enter, or just go near, the Tabernacle as their duties required.

Aren't we fortunate today that we have Christ as our perfect high priest? For through Christ, we are now able to approach God directly without fear of being destroyed for failing to follow, to the dot, proper procedure.