5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
5 "You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again.
5 And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.
5 "Your job is to take care of the Sanctuary and the Altar so that there will be no more outbreaks of anger on the People of Israel.
5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel.
5 "You yourselves must perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar. If you follow these instructions, the Lord 's anger will never again blaze against the people of Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 18:5
Commentary on Numbers 18:1-7
(Read Numbers 18:1-7)
The people complained of their difficulty and peril in drawing near to God. God here gives them to understand, that the priests should come near for them. Aaron would see reason not to be proud of his preferment, when he considered the great care and charge upon him. Be not high-minded, but fear. The greater the trust of work and power that is committed to us, the greater danger there is of betraying that trust. This is a good reason why we should neither envy others' honours, nor desire high places.