SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 8
SETTING UP THE LAMPS (vs. 1-4)
The lampstand was made of hammered gold – from its base to its blossoms. Aaron has to set up the lamps facing the lampstand.
THE SETTING APART OF THE LEVITES (vs. 5-26)
- Sprinkle water of cleansing in them
- Shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes.
- Take a young bull with fine flour mixed with oil for Grain Offering.
- Take a second bull for Sin Offering.
- Assemble all Israelites community to lay their hands on the Levites at the front of the Tent of Meeting.
- Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a Wave Offering.
- Offer a bull for Burnt Offering to make atonement for the Levites.
After the Levites have been purified, they are presented as a Wave Offering and come to work at the Tent of Meeting. All men of Levites 25 years old are to take part in the work at the Tent of Meeting but they must retire at the age of 50. They can also assist their brothers in performing the duties but they themselves must not do the work.
THOUGHTS:
The Levites were given to the Lord as substitute for all first born in Israel. They were given to Aaron as workers. They could not do all that the priests did but they had their tasks and were expected to fulfill them faithfully. Today, we have our work to do for Christ. No matter what work we do for the Lord, it should be like offering up a sacrifice of worship to Him.
The Levites were supposed to retire at age 50 because moving the Tabernacle and its furnitures through the wilderness require strength to lift heavy articles. However, they were to assist the various light duties and help younger men assume more responsibilities. They were to serve as their advisers and counselors. Similarly, older church leaders have to pass on their work to the younger people so that God’s tasks can be performed continually from generations to generations.