ORDER IN SPIRITUAL SERVICE. Numbers 8 Those who brought gifts from each of the twelve tribes might have understood the significance of their actions as it relates to mankind. However, before the Levites could begin their spiritual service to the Lord at the Tabernacle, Aaron the priest had to light the lamps on the lampstand in the Holy Place. All those individual lamps were crafted from a single solid piece of gold, and they had to provide light—particularly so that the light would illuminate the table of showbread (testimony) and the golden altar (worship). Before the Levites could be consecrated, the light had to be shining, and everything needed to be arranged according to God's plan so that the Levites who came to serve would understand how things were to be done. They would not be able to alter things to suit themselves.
Any service for God that we are called to do for Him must be performed according to the light we have from the Word of God. The lampstand is a symbol of Christ, and His light is spread abroad through His people. We do not have the right to do God's work in a way that suits us personally. The light He provides governs the service we offer. It influences our testimony (the table) and worship (the golden altar). The true value of what we are and what we do is seen in the light of the sanctuary of God's holiness.
The order for the spiritual service in which the Levites were to be consecrated that day was: first, they received symbolic purifying water sprinkled on them as a sign that they were set apart for the Lord's service. Next, they shaved all over, symbolizing that they were leaving behind their old habits and lifestyle. From then on, everything they did was meant to represent their Lord and what was important to Him. Their clothes had to be washed and cleaned before they were consecrated to God's service. Unlike the priests, who wore new clothes, the Levites kept their personal clothes and identity and were used in that capacity.
As helpers to the priests, the Levites had to be consecrated to the service they were set apart for. The consecration of the Levites differed from that of the priests. Priests were made holy, and Levites were made clean. Priests were anointed and washed, while Levites were sprinkled. Priests received new garments, and Levites washed their own garments. Blood was applied to the priests; blood was waved over the Levites.
Our service to God doesn't require us to change our personality or natural abilities and talents, but we are to use them now for higher service. No matter who we are or what we do, every person needs God's grace. Those engaged in full-time ministry for the Lord are no different from anyone else in their need for grace. All that we are and have belongs to the Lord so He can use us in ways that fulfill His purposes. For our work to have any true value, we must cleanse ourselves in life and spirit and do what we are called to do in the light of Christ. We must exercise care and vigilance over God's work because "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." It is the responsibility of those involved in God's work to give proper guidance to those who sincerely desire to come to God and to warn those who want things their own way of the consequences of such actions.
The offerings, both the burnt offering and sin offering, were made on behalf of the Levites. Afterward, the Levites were brought out to stand in front of the Tabernacle and all the congregation of Israel. All the tribes would come and identify themselves with the Levites, who were taking the place of their firstborn in God's service. Likely, a representative from each tribe would lay his hand on the Levites. By placing their hands on the Levites, the tribe representatives testified to their support and agreement that the Levites were set apart for a special role in the nation on their behalf.
The tribe of Levi replaced each firstborn in every family of the nation. They were “given,” a strong word, to the Lord. They camped around the Tabernacle, guarding the way to approach God. Any unauthorized way of approaching would have resulted in a plague from the Lord. God’s actions must be carried out in accordance with His instructions. They were responsible for preventing anyone from coming improperly to meet with God at their designated spot around the Tabernacle. If someone tried to enter the courtyard or Tabernacle without using the door, a plague would fall on God's people.
God and the tribes set apart that shaved tribe of men in clean clothes to serve God on behalf of the congregation. It is very important to fulfill our work when we are called to represent and serve men before God. The outward form of cleanliness and the shaved body of separation should reflect the inward heart and mind of the true servant. What I do in God's name should be for Him from my heart. The eating of the portion of the wave-offering symbolized the Levites, like the wave-offering in their participation with God in His divine purposes. The purification and the act of dedication led to a lifetime of consecration for the Levites.
Between the gifts the tribal leaders offered and the sacred service of the Levites was the lighting of the lampstand. What we give and how we serve must be done in the light of Christ. He comes between what we give and what we do. He is the One who makes labor and gifts acceptable to God. That keeps us from being careless about God's things. The Levites were "wholly given" to God. They were doubly given—that is, they were God's because they were children of Israel, and now they were God's in sanctified service.
They were dedicated to Him. All other interests depended on that fact. It's important to recognize that not only are we saved by God's grace, but we are saved to serve. This should be our top priority when making decisions. The choice might seem minor now, but its impact is eternal.
When a Levite male reached the age of twenty-five, he began what seems to be an apprenticeship. For five years, he would learn everything related to the Tabernacle and its service so that there would be no mistakes when he took on responsibility at age thirty. He would learn how to make incense properly, check animals for perfection, correctly raise and lower the Tabernacle, and carry out his duties without any delays or errors. Some of the tasks or responsibilities needed to be performed by a man in his physical prime. For twenty years, he "bore the yoke." If someone sharing a load with others dropped his corner because of weakness, it could affect the whole group and possibly defile the holy objects. Some tasks are best to be done when we are young.
However, when a Levite reaches age fifty and retires from burden-bearing, he is not finished with his work. His responsibilities are adjusted to match his age. He is assigned lighter duties in the Tabernacle. Everything related to spiritual service must be orderly, whether it is visible to the public or hidden from the eyes and scrutiny of others. By fifty, a man should not be trying to impress others with his effort in serving God. Older men are in a position to offer advice and counsel based on experience. There is a charge to fulfill, work to do during our years of strength, and a charge to fulfill in our later years. The vows of God rest on us.
At this point in their journey, Moses and the Israelites carefully followed the commands of the Lord and did what He instructed them to do. This contrasts with what soon happened when they complained against the Lord.
The firstborn in Israel belonged to God, whether it was a man or an animal. The firstborn was sanctified and set apart for holy purposes. This began in Egypt when God designated them to be dedicated to Himself. The firstborn needed a substitute that God accepted, or else he would die – except when God saw the blood on the doorposts and lintel over the door. The substitute was given in place of the firstborn because it belonged to God.
But a change came by God’s own plan regarding the firstborn of every family. He would replace a man for the firstborn. No longer would the firstborn serve from each family in every tribe, but instead, in place of the firstborn of the entire nation, God chose the tribe of Levi. Levi’s tribe was taken from among the nation to be God’s gift to the whole congregation.
Not just one person but all Levites were called to be set apart for God's service. The entire tribe was chosen to serve God. This was not shameful but the highest honor. They were selected to serve the congregation forever, generation after generation. The rest of the nation was free to pursue their own interests, whether farming or business, but the Levites were dedicated to God as substitutes for them.
For twenty-five years, the men were called upon to carry the tabernacle's furniture, until their fiftieth year. They bore the burden of the holy items of the Tabernacle and everything related to the worship of God’s people. God wanted strong men who would not drop anything or be careless with the work assigned to them. At twenty-five years old, they had grown wiser and were physically stronger, so they apprenticed to learn how to do their assigned tasks. By the time they reached fifty, the work had physically exhausted them, and they were transferred to different responsibilities.
The Levites continued serving God even when their duties changed. They could advise the younger men on how to properly do the Lord's work. Those who came after them would benefit from their experience. The older men who led earlier would relearn the difference between serving with the body and serving with the mind. Each of us has the privilege of serving the Lord, but service is not all the same.
I’ll never reach twenty-five or even fifty again, but even though I’m older now, I still have work I am capable of doing. To the people of God and the next generation, I am responsible for passing on the lessons from my life and my work so that others can learn how to serve God and be true servants.