Deuteronomy 33:9-10
33:9 a guarded your covenant: The verse alludes to the incident of the gold calf at Mount Sinai (Exod 32:25-29 b) and to the affair at Baal-peor (Num 25:6-9 c). The Levites’ love for the Lord and loyalty to his covenant eclipsed their devotion to their own families, averted God’s judgment, and brought them the honor expressed here.33:10 d They teach your regulations ... instructions: In addition to carrying out priestly duties such as sacrifices and otherwise assisting at the Tabernacle and the Temple, the Levites had the task of teaching the Torah (31:9-13 e).
• present incense: This ministry was limited to Levitical priests (Num 16:39-40 f). Later, when King Uzziah entered the Temple to offer incense, he was roundly condemned for his arrogant breach of the priests’ privilege and was afflicted by a skin disease for the rest of his life (2 Chr 26:16-21 g).
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