提要
十七章繼續上一章的挑戰。以色列民似乎還需要額外的證據來認識亞倫的權柄以及他的合法地位。上帝用一場試驗證明亞倫大祭司的身分和他的宗教領導權。這個試驗將弭平所有的抱怨，並斷然顯示出哪個支派和祭司是上帝所揀選的。
摩西按著上帝的命令，向以色列十二支派的首領取他們的杖（權柄的象徵和他們作為牧人的遺產），連同代表利未人的亞倫的杖，一起放在至聖所法櫃的帳幕內。第二天，一件超自然的奇蹟發生了，因為只有亞倫的杖──一根枯木──發芽、長苞、開花、甚至結了熟杏。這是在僅僅幾個小時之內發生的，而且整個過程沒有任何土壤、陽光的幫助！
在上帝沒有難成的事。正如耶穌從死裡復活證明祂是上帝所委派的聖者，有上帝賦予祂的權柄，亞倫的那根枯木藉著上帝的力量回春，變成有生命的枝子，也證明了亞倫的神聖使命和權柄，即使是死在過犯罪惡中的人也能藉著上帝的力量活過來，從醜陋、貧瘠變成美麗、多結果子（弗2︰1）。
亞倫能看見自己的杖發芽、開花是多麼大的福氣；那是上帝對他和他的支派所領受之呼召的美妙印證。上帝使亞倫的地位不再遭受議論，他的杖也被安放在至聖所內以提醒並警告百姓不得再有悖逆之舉。
百姓的反應是呼求上帝的憐憫（17︰12）。他們是否終於明白他們需要一位中保為他們到上帝面前，並為他們的罪獻贖罪祭﹖現在祭司制度既已被堅立，上帝就繼續說明有關在會幕內獻祭的一般原則。百姓現已明白祭司和利未人是上帝所指派的，對他們的福祉（心靈和肉體的福利）十分重要，所以他們也預備好願以自己的祭物、初熟的果子和十分之一奉獻來支付這些事工的需要。這是上帝供養祂僕人的方式，因為他們在以色列人中沒有產業。上帝自己是他們的產業，他們與上帝有特別的關係，這比財富和產業更重要。
利未人是上帝對祭司以及所有以色列民的賞賜（18︰6），會幕若遭任何污染，責任將屬利未人。祭司的責任還包括了監護利未人不犯錯（18︰1）。本章有系統的重述了許多在利未記中提過的有關祭司收取祭物、初熟之果、頭生牲畜的律法。舉祭歸祭司和他的家人所有，這要在「耶和華面前作為永遠的鹽約」──代表永遠之約（利2︰13；代下13︰5；可9︰49）。
也有一條新的律法︰以色列人的十分之一奉獻屬利未人所有，作為他們重要服事的酬勞（18︰21）。這條律法一等以色列人定居應許之地就生效。然後利未人也要將他們所得之物中最好的十分之一奉獻給祭司（18︰26、29）。所有的百姓都要這樣做；只有至好之物才配獻給上帝和祂的祭司（18︰12）。
不論過去或現在，上帝都要祂的僕人從他們服事的群體中得到充足的供應，所有的需要得滿足，作為他們為會眾執行服事的「酬勞」（18︰31）。他們也要作所得之物的好管家，因為那些奉獻是「聖物」（18︰32），是先獻給上帝，上帝再賜給祂的僕人「為業」（18︰21）；因為上帝是他們的產業，他們也必得全備的供應。
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Overview
Chapter 17 continues to challenges of the preceding chapter. It seems the people still needed additional proof of Aaron’s authority and rightful position. God vindicated his religious leadership as the high priest by commanding a test that would put an end to all the complaints and how, once and for all, which tribe and priests He had chosen.
As the Lord commanded, the rods (symbols of authority and of their heritage as shepherds) from the head of all the 12 tribes, and one from Aaron representing the Levites, were gathered by Moses and placed overnight in the Most Holy Place before the Ark of the testimony. What happened was something totally supernatural and grew branches, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds in a few short hours, and all without any soil, roots, or sunlight!
Nothing is impossible with God. Just as the resurrection of Jesus from the dead attested to His divine commission and authority, so this piece of dead wood, which came alive by the power of God and was transformed into a life-giving branch, attested to Aaron’s divine commission and authority. Even people who have been dead in trespasses and sin have been transformed by the power of God from something unlovely and barren into that which is beautiful and fruitful; made alive by the power of Christ (Eph.2:1).
What a blessing it must have been for Aaron to see that his rod had budded; a wonderful divine confirmation of his and his tribe’s high calling. God has caused his position to be undisputed. To remind and warn the people against rebellion, Aaron’s rod was placed into the Most Holy Place.
The reaction of the people was to cry out for mercy (17:12). Did they finally understand they needed someone to draw near to God on their behalf and make atonement for their sins? Now, with the firm establishment of the priesthood, the Lord continued with some general principles concerning sacrifices in His Holy Tabernacle. Since the people now knew the priesthood and the Levitical order were divinely appointed and essential for their own well being (spiritual and as well as physical, in the protection against divine wrath), they were ready to pay for these services by their offerings, first fruits, and tithes. This is the way the Lord provided for His servants’ needs, since they were not to receive any inheritance of the land. The Lord God Himself was their inheritance, for they had a special relationship with Him much more important than wealth and possessions.
The Levites were given as gifts to the priesthood, as well as to all the children of Israel (18:6), and they were to be held responsible if any defilement came upon the Tabernacle. The priests’ duties included guarding the Levites from trespassing (18:1). Many laws given before in the book of Leviticus concerning the priest’s rights to receive certain portions of the sacrifices, first fruits and firs-born clean animals, are now put into a more systematic order. The heave offerings were to be for the priests and their families, “as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt” (18:19), an expression that was used to indicate a perpetual covenant (Lev.2:13; 2 Chron.13:5; Mark9:49).
We learn something new here: the tithe belonged to the tribe of Levi for their much-needed ministry (18:21). This law would be put into effect upon settlement in the Promised Land, and then the Levites in turn would tithe the best of whatever they received to the priesthood (18:26-29). All the people were to do likewise, for only the best was to be given to God and to His priests (18:12).
The Lord wants His servants, both then and now, to be well provided for by those they serve, having all their needs met, as a “reward” for the service they perform on behalf of the congregation (18:31). Then they are to be good stewards of what has been given to them, for they are “holy gifts”, (18:32) since they were given firstly to the Lord, then He gives them to His ministers “as an inheritance” (18:21), for the Lord is their inheritance and as such He is their all-sufficiency.
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