QT 20 Feb 12, If we aspire to great responsibility, we must first be faithful in the small stuff

Num 18:1-7 (NIV) The Lord said to Aaron, "You, your sons and your father's family are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the priesthood. 2 Bring your fellow Levites from your ancestral tribe to join you and assist you when you and your sons minister before the Tent of the Testimony. 3 They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the Tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. 4 They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the Tent of Meeting — all the work at the Tent — and no one else may come near where you are.

5 "You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that wrath will not fall on the Israelites again. 6 I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the Lord to do the work at the Tent of Meeting. 7 But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death."

NOTE: With the selection of Aaron's rod comes the special recognition as chosen by God. But with the status comes responsibilities, which cannot be shared. In this case, the family of Aaron are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary and the priesthood. Additionally, they are responsible to perform the duties of the Tent, to take care of the Tent, all the work at the Tent, the sanctuary, and the altar. Only Aaron's family of priests may enter behind the curtain. Their actions not only affect their lives but failure can cause wrath to fall upon the Israelites. It is a tremendous position and responsibility. The recent cultural quote, with great power come great responsibility. That is a true statement that is echoed in scripture. A key aspect  of this truth is a the requirement to be found faithful in the tasks God has already given you. While Aaron was not perfect, he and Miriam rebelled, he stood his ground with the two spies and Moses when the majority of spies were counseling the people that the task was too hard and too dangerous. If we want more authority and responsibility, we need to be faithful in the small things first.