Levitical Villages

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession. … Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites.” - Leviticus 35:1-8

Before entering the land of Israel, Moses made sure to give the Levites (ministers) land from each of the other tribes.  Moses was told to make sure no tribal group was left out, and no tribe could begrudgingly not give some land to the Levites, the tribe of Priests.  God did this because He wanted to make sure in a very visual way His presence was spread to each of the tribes of Israel.

Some of the Levitical villages become important within the land of Israel.  The heritage of Abraham was felt in Hebron (Kirjath Arba).  Jacob’s name was honored in Shechem.  Many in the line of the High Priest, including Jeremiah, came from Anathoth.  The ark of the covenant was returned to Beth Shemesh.  By tradition John the Baptist was born in Beth HaKerem.

Six of the Levitical cities Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor were named as cities of refuge.  The Levites in these cities acted with mercy as protectors, and with skill as lawyers and judges to discern who was truly guilty and who should find freedom, forgiveness or grace.

The Levites, while they lived among the people were not to blend with the people.  They were to maintain and remember their purpose: to serve as priests for God.  These men were to serve in the Temple according to their time.  King David set up courses so each group of priests would know when to go to Jerusalem.  All Priests served during the three harvest festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.  By rotation they served two additional weeks per year, making five weeks of service total.

The book Advent Journeys takes a look at how Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist serves in the Temple.  Much of the information in this book comes from the Jewish Mishnah, the oral tradition which was written down by the generation impacted by the destruction of the Temple.

As the Levitical cities served a purpose for the people of Israel, we, as people of faith are to serve a purpose in our communities and villages.  Moses said, “if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6; see also Deuteronomy 7:6, 26:19).  Peter repeats this for Christians in 1 Peter 2:9-10.