Every Christian is a Spiritual Levite


Numbers 8:14–16 (ESV) “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. 15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering. 16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself.

Numbers 8 shows Moses consecrating all the Levites to the Lord for His service and to shelter His tabernacle from intruders. Something interesting happens. The Levites are substituted for the firstborn sons of Israel. From now on, they will be the "living sacrifices" before God from among the people. This is a further reason to believe that the Old Testament Levites point to the New Testament believers.

Numbers 8:17–18 (ESV) For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, 18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.

 A few facts about the Levites emerge from this chapter. 

 First, the Levites are taken OUT of the people of Israel and cleansed by Moses their deliverer.

Numbers 8:6 (ESV) “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them.

They will be first washed in water (sprinkled by Moses) and then sacrificed for. Their high priest, Aaron will present the sacrifices on their behalf making them ready to serve God's house. The people lay their hands on the Levites signifying their substitutions for their firstborn sons. You could say the Levites were the sacred members of the community.

 Second, God takes the Levites and gives them to Aaron. 

Numbers 8:19 (ESV) And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting 
Jesus will talk about God doing this with the Church.
John 6:37 (ESV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

 Third, the Levites are a sustaining presence among the Nation.
Numbers 8:19b (ESV) and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

They preserve them from plague and death. The Levites were instructive for Israel. They reminded Israel that God was holy and sacred. He was not common. They taught Israel that God was worthy of respect. The Levites protected the nation from the wrath of God. In effect, Jesus will say that about the Church. He will call His Church the light of the world and the salt of the Earth. Both terms are saving terms, bringing light and life to all those around them. Remember that Abraham was told for 10 righteous persons, God will not bring total destruction upon the Earth. The reason God does not judge the Earth is because He has people on it who belong to Him and worship Him.

Christian, do you know what a privilege it is to be God's chosen instruments? Your life is distinct. You've been taken out of the world. You have a special calling on your life that nothing but His goodness will ever satisfy. '

Second, you are God's gift to His Son. You belong to the Lord. He knows your name and will never lose you. He has committed Himself to your perseverance and development. Rest in His perfect love.

Third, you are the visible representation of the greatness of God to a world that runs from Him. Your life must show God reverence and honor. People must come to honor God because of the way you live. Being a chosen son/daughter of God does not give license to do as you wish, it is the power to do as He wishes. Live in it, and let the world come to see just how wonderful God really is through you.





Galatians 4:9 (ESV) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

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