Refreshed and Serving

O. T. #313  "Refreshed and Serving"
July 1, 2014
Numbers 8-Part 2
And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD, for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.  Numbers 8:11

LET IT GLOW

The requirements for the serving Levites is different for us believers serving Christ today. Yet are we who are called into special ministry living differently? Are we loving God and loving others? Are we following the teachings of Jesus? Are we faithfully serving and refreshed each day? Do we come to our Savior daily for the cleansing of our mind and soul?
We have so much stuff pulling us away from the Word, worship, and surrendering to God. The pull of technology alone is tremendous. Keeping up with everything is so demanding. Yet, Jesus waits for us, patiently. He doesn't put demands on us, but calls us through love.

In Leviticus 8 we read about the consecration of the priests and the commission of them in Numbers 3:5-13. Now Moses tells us of the six things which were to be done at the dedication ceremony:

1. They were to be sprinkled with purifying water. (verse 7)
2. All hair was to be shaved from their bodies. (verse 7)
3. Their clothes were to be washed and cleansed. (verse 7)
4. A burnt offering, grain offering, and sin offering were to be given. (verses 8,12)
5. They were to identify themselves with the remaining tribes by the laying on of hands. (verses 10,17-18)
6. They were then to be formally offered to God. (verse 21) (Liberty Bible Commentary)

In contrast to the priests who were consecrated (Ex. 29:1,9), the Levites were cleansed. this cleansing of the Levites made them pure so they might come into contact with the holy objects of the tabernacle. Since the Levites took the place of the firstborn, who had acted as family priests among the people of Israel, all the congregation of Israel showed their identification with the Levites by the laying on of their hands. The Levites were given by God to assist the priests. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

God established the offerings in place of the people as a purification.

The requirements of the Levites to serve in the Tabernacle were age 25-50 active serving, and began serving at age 30, with a 5 year apprenticeship before 30.

 Later on, the age was lowered to 20 (2 Chron. 31:17 and Ezra 3:8), probably because of different circumstances. (Kenneth Jones)

Are we set apart from the world? Do others recognize that we Christians are different? Is our life living proof that we have been saved, washed in the blood of the Lamb of God?
Are we serving our Savior in the church and in our life?

LET IT GROW

The underlying principle here seems to be that the dedication to God is a very serious and sacred thing. Paul emphasizes this vital element concerning New Testament believers in Romans 12:1-2.
(Falwell)

In Hebrews 9, we read that Christ came as high priest, went through a greater and more perfect tabernacle not man-made, didn't enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. In the Old Testament the blood of goats, bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those ceremonially unclean sanctified them. (NIV reference)

Hebrews 9:14 states, How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleansed our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.

Christ is the mediator of a new  covenant. He died as a ransom to set us free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Those who are called will receive the promised eternal inheritance.


LET IT GO

Thank Jesus Christ for His redeeming sacrifice for me.

Daily come to Him for forgiveness of my sins.

Thank Him for my eternal life that He has provided.

Praise Him, serve Him, love Him.