Numbers 18 reviews and describes the relationship between the house of Aaron and the rest of the tribe of Levi, and between the tribe of Levi and the rest of the nation of Israel. There are some noteworthy parallels here in these relationships. As Aaron's family is to the Levites, so the Levites are to the nation.
Aaron and his sons are the priests, and they are to be in charge of all matters relating to the priesthood. God gives them as helpers/servants their kinsmen, the tribe of Levi. The Levites, along with the house of Aaron, shall be responsible for the matters pertaining to the sanctuary (vs. 6).
Just as Aaron and his sons were set apart from among the Levites to serve as priests before God, so also is the tribe of Levi set apart by God to be the attendants upon the sanctuary and assistants for the priests. In return for this responsibility and blessing, the Levites are mandated to receive a tithe from the rest of the nation of Israel. They will own no land themselves or possessions as a tribe, for God is their inheritance.
Out of all that the Levites receive, they are to then tithe on the the tithes to Aaron's family, the priests. In fact, they are to give of the best from the tithes that they have received (vs. 29-30). In this way, the Levites honor God and maintain the calling of their tribe.
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