Dedication Of The Tabernacles And Consecration Of The Levites
MEMORY VERSE: “Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering” (Numbers 8:14,15).
TEXT: Numbers 7:1-89; 8:1-26
In response to divine command, Moses set out to dedicate the altar and consecrate the Levites. The event witnessed generous offerings for its dedication as well as the purification and cleansing of the Levites before their engagement in service. The offering was given by the princes of the tribes of Israel for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the dedication of the altar. By God’s sovereign prerogative, the Levites were given as gift to Aaron and the priests to perform a holy service in the tabernacle and its precincts, and to preserve and protect the holy things of God from intruders (Numbers 8:19; 1:53).
- PROVISION OF OFFERINGS FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE TABERNACLE
Numbers 7:1-9; Hebrews 3:2; Romans 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; John 17:20,21
It is noteworthy that Moses did not allow the offerings to be made until the tabernacle was fully set up. His obedience and orderliness are exemplified by his exact and adequate preparation for the ceremony. Also, the understanding of God’s demand for holiness made him anoint and sanctify the tabernacle and all the vessels before the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:1). The provision for the work of the tabernacle by the princes and tribes of Israel is highly commendable and worthy of emulation by the church. The princes generously gave while the tabernacle was under construction. “And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate” (Exodus 35:27). Now that the tabernacle was fully set up, they brought more presents (six wagons and twelve Oxen) for the service of the tabernacle. Believers need to give cheerfully and generously to God whenever we are called upon to do so. Also, just as the princes (leaders) demonstrated true leadership spirit as they led the people by example, in giving to God, church leaders are to lead by example in everything that is good, perfect and acceptable in the sight of God. Furthermore, the offerings were purely voluntary and spontaneous; they saw needs in the house of God and met them promptly without persuasion. Lastly, their spirit of cooperation with Moses and one another to accomplish God’s work is edifying. Genuinely converted children of God are to have one mind with their God- appointed ministers, cooperating with them in every scriptural way to achieve heaven’s goal. The offering was to be specifically used for the service of the tabernacle and to be distributed to the Levites according to their service. Two wagons were given to the sons of Gershon who were to carry only the curtains, coverings and hangings (Numbers 7:7), four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari since they carried the boards, bars, pillars and sockets of the tabernacle (Numbers 7:8), while the Kohathites were not given any wagon because they were to bear the ark on their shoulders. (Numbers 7:9). The way the wagons and the Oxen were shared is instructive. They were not shared equally, yet the Levites did not complain since the instruments were given according to the levels of their service for God. For every service God calls us into, He gives commensurate ability and provides the means to carry it out. God gives greater strength, grace and anointing to those who have greater work to do for Him.
- PATTERN OF OFFERINGS FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE ALTAR
Numbers 7:10-89; 1 Corinthians 14:33,40; Exodus 25:2; Numbers 31:50
“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). According to the Lord’s directive to Moses, each tribe was to offer for a whole day, each prince on his own day, for the dedication of the altar. To allot a whole day to a tribe for offering when the twelve tribes could do it in one day shows that there is nothing more acceptable and productive than to serve God on His own terms. There are several lessons from the manner of the presentation of the offerings. Priority of rank: They did not offer their offerings according to their birth order. Judah presented first in fulfilment of Jacob’s prophecy (Genesis 49:8). Leadership in the church is not by age but by divine design. Picture of solemnity: Service to God is a solemn business; the modern trends of hilarious, lousy and comical worship in churches are alien to biblical patterns. Prevention of hurry and disorderliness: The service was orderly as the people were not in a hurry to leave God’s presence. Purpose of repetition: Each of the twelve tribes brought the gift equal in quantity and quality for the altar dedication. The way the same quantity of offering given by each tribe was repeated for all tribes was hot a vain repetition. It shows that God takes record of the and commitment of individuals and will reward them on individual basis. Paramount measure in giving: The children of Israel gave after the shekels of the sanctuary (Leviticus 27:25; Numbers 3:47). The shekel of the sanctuary had the highest value. Those who build with wood, hay, stubble shall suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:12- 15). The offering involved all families. The course of the kingdom of God will be greatly advanced if every believer contribute their own quota sincerely, selflessly, scripturally and sacrificially. God’s reaction to the voluntary offerings showed that they were pleasing to Him and suitable for His service. At the end of the offering by the tribes, God spoke from the mercy seat to signify His gracious acceptance of and pleasure in the offerings (Numbers 7:89; 12:8). This was an assurance that God was amidst them as promised (Exodus 25:20,22). As it was then, the best way to prepare to hear the voice of God is to fully obey Him.
- PURIFICATION CEREMONY OF THE LEVITES AND THEIR APPOINTED SERVICE
Numbers 8:1-26; Isaiah 52:11; Titus 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:17
Recall that the Levites came into limelight when they willingly, wholeheartedly and promptly responded to the call to repentance and restoration after Israel’s massive descent into idolatry (Exodus 32:26-29). This penitent action endeared them to God and consequently separated them from other Israelites to serve Him. God’s command to cleanse the Levites before their engagement in the service of the tabernacle reveals the high premium He places on holiness and the quality of life He expects from His servants, Purity of life remains God’s all-time demand and condition for engaging in His service and for seeing Him at the end of s service on earth. Before the cleansing rites, God commanded Moses to instruct Aaron to the seven lamps specially made to illuminate the tabernacle. He took the light from the golden altar to light the middle. Then from it, he lighted the others, each one borrow the light from others. The literal light in the tabernacle symbolized the spiritual light of Christ, “…the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). He expects all believers, who are the temples of God to shine His light before all men (Matthew 5:16). A Christian’s life must not only conform to the word of God, but also be guided by it in everything. Christ transmits His light to those who come to Him, repent of their sins and receive Him as Saviour and Lord. Therefore, God appoints ministers purposely to lead sinners to Christ through the light of the gospel (Acts 26:14-18). The light in the tabernacle also gives expression to the necessity of good and adequate illumination in the house of God. We must ensure that the house of God where believers meet for fellowship is well lit as in the tabernacle. The Levites were not only to be separated from other Israelites; they were to be cleansed. No one can come near God or claim to be serving Him without being cleansed from sin. The holy God would not allow the Levites to enter and serve in a sanctified temple without cleansing. The rites and ceremonies of their cleansing were to follow divine order and to be carried out.
First, God commanded Moses to sprinkle the water of purifying on them. This should not be misunderstood or misinterpreted to mean “all kinds of water” that people use for cleansing in some assemblies. The sprinkling of water only foreshadowed the application of the blood of Jesus by faith for cleansing from outward and inward sins and also as the Bible compares the cleansing effect of the Word to water (Hebrews 9:14; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26).
Second, the Levites were required to shave off their hair and wash their clothes. This is similar to what a leper was to do after he had been pronounced clean by the priest (Leviticus 14:8). The purpose was to remove every form of defilement that would not wash off from their flesh while the washing of their clothes was to free them from pollution from themselves and the environment. Though the ceremonial cleansing in the Old Testament has been abolished, believers are to maintain cleanliness in their appearance and environment. They must avoid unhygienic practices such as unkempt hair, unclean and uncut finger nails that breed germs, dirty clothes and environment that Constitute health hazards. God does not only care for the purity of the believer’s heart, but also his outward look. Therefore, believers must separate themselves from unbelievers not only in lifestyle but also in outlook and dressing. They must consecrate their entire life to God.
Third, children of Israel were to put their hands upon the Levites not as ministers having power to ordain but as their brethren showing their willingness to release them entirely for God’s service. It also signifies acceptance of their choice in place of their firstborn to render holy service to God. They, by this rite surrendered them to Aaron who was to offer them before the Lord.
Fourth, the Levites were to lay their hands upon the heads of the two young bullocks for sin and burnt offerings to make atonement for them to the Lord. By so doing, they declared their unworthiness to engage in God’s service until atonement was made for sin. Servants of God must have personal testimony of the new birth experience and voluntarily consecrate themselves to God’s service. Though God demanded that Aaron gave the Levites to Him as offering, He gave them back to Aaron to serve under him and his sons (the priests) to assist them in the service of the tabernacle. They were to complement and not to compete with the priests. God’s word has clearly defined roles for all His servants, including those to serve under appointed spiritual leaders. The priests were to make atonement by sacrifice, thereby making peace with God, while the Levites were to ensure that the divine standard for the maintenance of the tabernacle and its use are strictly upheld to preserve the fellowship between God and His people. Christian servants need to hold on relentlessly and tenaciously to the standard of God’s word in all spiritual matters. Church property should not be allowed to be misused. Also, believers should watch and guard against intruders and peddlers of false doctrines whose aim is to pollute and damn the souls of saints. The Levites’ years of active service were from twenty-five to fifty years. After this age, they would be exempted from strenuous service that required exertion of energy. Yet, they were to minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation to keep the charge of the tabernacle. It is obvious that old age may not accommodate the stress and strains of hard Work. Therefore, we are to serve God more when we are young and our bones and muscles are firmer and stronger. We must not wait until retirement age before committing our lives to God’s work. Christ’s command to His disciples is, “Occupy till I come”. We must keep on serving the Lord until He comes for us at the rapture or death. No matter our age, we can still render useful service in God’s kingdom until the hour of our transition into glory like Joshua, Elijah and others.
Questions For Review:
- What can Christian leaders learn from Moses’ attitude before the dedication of the altar?
- Identify useful lessons from the attitude of the princes to the dedication of the tabernacle.
- What should inform how believers are assigned responsibilities in the church?
- What should be our attitude as believers to one another?
- What major things can believers learn from the manner the tribes presented their offerings?
- What is the relevance of the lighted lamp in the tabernacle to the house of God, believers in Christ and sinners/backsliders in the world?
- Why should we dedicate our youthful years to serving the Lord?
