Well, does God know how to end an argument or what? Tired of the bickering and the back stabbing (sound familiar) God figures out how to show the Israelites once and for all who God's chosen messenger is. In Numbers 17 God instructs Moses to get a staff from each tribe, have the leader put their name on their staff and then after the staffs are placed by the Ark, God will chose the staff of the one who will lead Israel.
It would seem that since Moses does not have a staff, that God is more concerned about the priestly pretenders than the political leaders such the group from the tribe of Reuben who rebelled, so this exercise is more to show who will run the "religious" side of things.
When the leaders gather the next day, they see that Aaron's staff has done the impossible, it has budded and burst forth fruit!
God, "Anymore complaints and you die." At which point I imagine God on a stage, just dropping the mike and walking off.
Nuff said.
Having established that Aaron is the priest through whom God will be working, God now lays out the expectations for Aaron in Numbers 18. God distinguishes between Aaron and his household and the rest of the tribe of Levi. While both bear a responsibility for the purity of the sanctuary, the burden of the purity of the priesthood rests upon Aaron and his household.
God continues in allowing Aaron and his priestly line to take the offerings that are made to God for their benefit. Since Aaron, and line, belong to God they may receive God's portion except that which is burned on the altar. The priests are not afforded any support from their tribes, only the cultic tributes.
God also provides for the tribe of Levi in verse 21 which primarily made up of grain offerings it would seem.
To say that the sacrifice of the red heifer is bizarre is an understatement, but that is the story we must grapple with in Numbers 19. Since much of what is in the chapter deals with the issue of rules regarding touching the dead and actions that must be taken, it is believed that the ritual of sacrificing the red heifer is part of the process of purifying those who are unclean through touching of the dead. Much of what is in this chapter is repeated from other sources, so the restrictions and the purification rites are familiar to us at this point.
Acts 19
The opening of the 19th chapter demonstrates some of the issues facing the early church. The first is the lack of properly trained leadership. Apollos was an early messenger of the gospel, a well spoken man from all accounts, yet he had inadequate education which is seen in his ability to talk about the gospel, yet the Spirit was not a byproduct of his ministry. Those in Ephesus, who came to know the Gospel because of Apollos' preaching, have not come to faith because they have not been taught about the Spirit, which Paul provides.
Another major challenge was the issue of those who sought to us the new faith as a tool for their own purposes. The sons of Sceva are such individuals who seek to use the name of Jesus as a better tool for their business, which was excorcism. However, one cannot just use the name of Jesus, one must have faith in that divine name in order for its power to be released. The sons of Sceva learned this the hard way.
Finally the chapter closes with another challenge of the early church, its teaching will directly impact the lives of those in society. We see examples of this in the uproar caused by the gospel for those who benefited monetarily from the popular religions; in this example how silversmiths are concerned that if worship of the Greco-Roman deities end, so will their business. Artemis, the temple associated with her in Ephesus, was a popular god, so much so that the temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
In this instance, while the people were ready to riot, the town clerk restores order to reminding the people that Paul and others have not actually broken any laws. If they have concerns, they should file their complaints with the appropriate authorities. Here is one instance where Paul and followers benefit from the Roman traditions.
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