Dedication of The Tabernacle and Consecration of The Levites
Memory Verse: “And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar” (Numbers 7:11).
TEXT: Numbers 7:1-89; 8:1-26
When the tabernacle was fully set up, the princes of the twelve tribes prepared six covered wagons, each drawn by two oxen, one wagon for two tribes for the service of the tabernacle. Moses was commanded to receive these offerings, and distribute them to the Levites according to their service. The chapters under consideration focus on the dedication of the tabernacle and the consecration of the Levites after cleansing. However, the opening verses in chapter 8 begins with lighting of lamps in the Sanctuary. This shows the divine concern that the light of divine revelation should be made to shine out and to illuminate the whole church of God by the ministers of His word. Also, the Levites were to be cleansed through atonement: “And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the Lord; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them” (Numbers 8:21)
Question 1: Why do we need spiritual cleansing?
The cleansing of the Levites was very essential if the service or worship in the tabernacle would be acceptable to God. Cleansing means to set free from sin, defilement or to be washed from sins. It is necessary because without cleansing through the blood of Jesus our sins cannot be taken away. Therefore, cleansing is the foundation of our Christian life.
- PRINCIPLES OF GIVING TO THE LORD AND HIS SERVICE
Numbers 7: 1-89; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Psalm 96:6-9; Malachi 3:8-10; Genesis 14:18-20; Mark 12:42-44;2 Corinthians 8:1- 9; Proverbs 3:9,10
Giving of offerings is different from giving of tithes. The giving of offerings for the dedication here it not tithes but offerings. These offerings were brought to Moses, and God gave approval and directed the exact use of it. Offerings are an essential part of our worship as believing youths and we need to make sure we give to please the Lord always.
Question 2: Distinguish between Tithes and Offerings?
Tithe is one-tenth of our income or gross earning while offering is a freewill gift as service to God. God was the first Person to give. He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ and that is the highest level of sacrifice and offering that can be given (John 3:16). Offering to the Lord has been normal among the children of Israel and they gave willingly to the Lord whenever there was need. The early church also gave sacrificially to the work of the Lord and the necessity of the saints (Acts 2:44,45).
Question 3: What are the principles Christian youths should adhere to in giving to the Lord?
The principles of giving are as follows:
(1) God only expects those who have genuine salvation experience to give (Proverbs 23:26). Giving to the Lord without conversion from sins has no reward.
(2) Our giving should be in appreciation of the salvation of our souls and all the good things he has done for us.
(3) Giving is to be done willingly not grudgingly or of necessity.
(4) Giving should be done with sincerity of purpose (Acts 4:35).
(5) We should only give what belongs to us. Youths should not use school fees, money for textbooks, uniform or that which does not belong to them as offering to the Lord.
(6) Giving should also be done in an organized way.
(7) Let your offerings be presentable and neat. That is, do not give God bad dirty money. The giving for the dedication of the tabernacle was very broad as each prince was to take a day for presenting their offerings. The princes and great men were most forward in service of God. Being among those in authority in the land they used their honour and power, their estate and interest, to Promote the giving to the service of God. Though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet, in the midst of their sacrifices, we find a sin-offering. Sin disqualifies youths from giving to God. Before giving, you need to look at Christ by faith as the Sin- offering and receive salvation. Giving is part of worship and the manner of our giving shows how grateful we are to God for His mercies and goodness. Giving can help us experience God’s presence in a more fulfilling way. “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts, 0 worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:8,9). Also, when we give to God, He enables us to give more. It brings glory to His name, Creates opportunity for believing youths to express their obedience to the word of God. Giving to the Lord creates opportunity for the church to be able to carry out several activities that can lead to the conversion of souls.
- PURITY: AN ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION FOR THE LORD’S SERVANTS
Numbers 8:1-8; Isaiah 6:1-8: 52:11; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 21:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1;2 Timothy 2:19- 22; 1 John 1:7,9
As the light from the seven lamps shines in the tabernacle according to the pattern which the Lord has shown Moses, He then commanded the cleansing of the Levites. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them” (Numbers 8:5,6). For any youth to walk effectively with God, he/ she must be purified (sanctified) in order to become a vessel of honour.
Question 4: What provision has been made by God for our sanctification?
The following provisions are made for our sanctification:
(1) The blood of Jesus (1 John 3:7):
(2) The word of God (John 15:3):
(3) The prayer of Jesus (John 17:17);
(4) The sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 13:12).
The blood of Christ Jesus that was shed on the cross at Calvary is meant for our cleansing(l John 1:7). This cleansing is essential for God’s servants. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Timothy 2:2 1).
- PATTERN OF CONSECRATION OF GOD’S SERVANTS TO THE LORD
Numbers 8:9-26; 1 Chronicles 29:5; Romans 12:1,2
“And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them” (Numbers 8:21). The Levites were consecrated after they were cleansed. God expects that every saved youth should be consecrated for His service.
Question 5: What is consecration?
It is total devotion and dedication to God which entails being wholly given to His service. God demands that every born again youth should be wholly devoted to Him.
Question 6: What are the things we can consecrate to God?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Our talents, time, and treasures are expected to be consecrated to God. As the Levites were consecrated after cleansing to do service to the Lord, so God expects every saved youth to be consecrated wholly to Him in service either in the school fellowship, Youth Home Success Fellowship, church or at any other opportunity to serve the Lord. Consecration brings us closer to God and helps us to move farther away from the world. Our consecration should be total and for the Test of our lives, not just for a particular period. Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 3212): Josiah and his subjects (2 Kings 23:3): and Judah under King Asa (2 Chronicles 15:15); all served God wholeheartedly in their own time. The consecration to the Lord by the Levites vas to be a permanent one. In the same way, we are to be consecrated and committed to Him till death. Moses got involved in the work of the Lord until death. Also, Joshua took over from him and continued till death. We, as Christian youths are to get involved in the service of God all the days of our lives. This is the scriptural pattern for the church (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Question 7: Why must we continue in our consecration?
We must continue in our consecration in order to make heaven and be rewarded at the end. “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). Our crown is waiting for us in heaven. But only those who continue to the end will be rewarded. Therefore, we must continue in His word (John 8:31). His love (John 15:9), His grace (Acts 13:43), in the faith (Acts 14:22). in prayer (Colossians 4:2), in brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1) and in His goodness (Romans 11:22). May the Lord help us to be faithful to Him till the end.
