隨著權利而來的往往是責任。如果以色列的祭司非常看重服事上帝的責任，他們就必須避免別人經常可能沾染到的污穢：他們在祭壇上必須沒有身體上的缺陷：他們必須維護以色列獻祭時的潔淨：他們更要主持以色列一年一度的節慶及神聖的聚會。帶領全國百姓齊來敬拜聖潔的上帝，實在是一件重大的任務——權利不是輕易握有的！

        如果你發現你家的餐廳已遭「蟲蛀」，你會不會力圖解釋而困窘得喃喃自語、叨叨不休？
        很遺憾的是，在許多基督徒家裡，主日晚餐的主菜是「紅燒牧師」。這是一個很容易潛入餐桌的習慣，也是一個會產生傷害與苦毒的習慣。
        在以色列崇拜的制度中，祭司身負許多帶領會眾崇拜的責任。今天的教會不再有「祭司階級」，卻擁有許多特殊恩賜、受過訓練和預備作聖工的人(提前3章：多l章)，正像舊約時代的祭司一樣，這些教會領袖為了帶領崇拜，完全奉獻他們的時間與精力。
        你什麼時候會想到那些「從前引導你們，傳上帝之道給你們的人」？(來13：7)花幾分鐘寫一張感謝卡給你的牧師或教會領袖，感謝他們不斷的在你的生命裡作屬靈的投資。

關於祭司禁誡的深思
        身體有殘疾的祭司，雖然名錄祭司行列，享有各種祭司的權利，例如吃上帝的食物(利21：22)，卻不能獻祭(利21：17--21)。上帝無意將他們貶抑為次等階級，只不過要顯示在聖潔上帝面前的獻祭，必須用無殘疾的牲口，也須有無瑕疵的祭司！

跟隨領袖比帶領信徒要容易得多了。

English

        Privilege often carries with it responsibility, and in the case of Israel's priests, the responsibilities of serving a holy God become quite demanding. The priests must avoid defilement which others might ordinarily experience. They must be without physical defect in order to serve in the sanctuary. They must bear the responsibility for maintaining purity in Israel's sacrificial worship. They must preside at Israel's yearly feasts and sacred assemblies. It is indeed a demanding assignment to lead a nation in corporate worship of a holy God—a privilege not to be taken lightly or entered into casually.

        If you discovered that your dining room had been "bugged," would you have some embarrassing con versa tions to explain?
        Unfortunately, in many Christian homes the main course for Sunday dinner is often "roast preacher." It's an easy habit to slip into, but one which can produce harm and bitterness.
        In Israel's system of worship, the priests carried much of the responsibility for leading corporate worship. Today the church no longer has a "priestly class." but it does have those specially gifted, trained, and set apart for the work of the ministry (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Like the priests of Old Testament times, these leaders have given freely of their time and energy in order to lead you into worship.
        How often do you "remember them which have the rule over you" (Hebrews 13:7)? Take a few minutes to write a thank-you note to your pastor or church leader, expressing gratitude for the consistent spiritual investment that person makes in your life.

Probing a Priestly Prohibition —
        Priests with physical handicaps were excluded from offering sacrifices (21:17-21), though they were entitled to the privileges of priesthood such as eating the priestly portion (21:22). God was not relegating them to second-class status but merely showing that the special service of sacrificing unblemished animals before a holy God required unblemished priests.

It is easier to follow the leader than to lead the followers.