Numbers 8 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Here I Am To Worship | Maranatha! Music (Lyric Video)
• Take My Life and Let It Be | Reawaken Hymns | Official Lyric Video
• Build My Life – Lyric Video (Pat Barrett)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• An Object Lesson on Holiness – Lesson for Kids
• Every Move I Make | Hillsong Kids | Kingdom Kids Worship with Motions – Song for Kids
• Who You Say I Am | Motion Video – Song for Kids
• Northview Kids – THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After all the offerings for the tabernacle had been presented, the Lord gave instructions about the lampstand (“menorah”). Every day, Aaron the priest was to enter the tabernacle and light the lamps so that the light would shine toward the opposite side, where the bread of the Presence, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, was placed. In a sense, this was a “bodily prayer” meant to bring Aaron’s blessing prayer (6:22–27) upon all the people of Israel (vv. 1–4).

Then God commanded Moses to perform a purification ceremony for the Levites. First, he was to sprinkle them with the water of purification, have them shave all the hair off their bodies, and wash their clothes (v. 7). Then they were to present the prescribed offerings (v. 8). After the offerings were made, the Levites were to stand before the Tent of Meeting, and the whole congregation of Israel was to lay their hands on them. Aaron would then present the Levites to God. After that, the Levites themselves had to offer the sin offering. Only after completing all of this could they begin serving the Lord in the tabernacle (vv. 9–13).

As mentioned in chapter 3, the Levites were offered to God in place of all the firstborn sons of Israel. Originally, all firstfruits belong to God. In principle, every firstborn son of Israel was to be dedicated to Him. But God chose the tribe of Levi to serve in the tabernacle, making it unnecessary for the firstborn sons to be offered in that way (vv. 14–19). The Levites had to give up their ordinary livelihoods and devote themselves to caring for the tabernacle. In that sense, the Israelites were spiritually indebted to the Levites. That is why the people of Israel were to set aside a tenth of their produce to help support the Levites.

Moses and Aaron purified the Levites just as God had commanded, so that they could assist Aaron and his sons in caring for the work of the tabernacle (vv. 20–22). Moses also established that every Levite male twenty-five years old and above was to work for the tabernacle until the age of fifty (vv. 23–26).

Meditation:

To be born a Levite and to live as a Levite may, in one sense, have felt like bearing a heavy yoke. It may be compared to the fate of princes born into a royal family, unable to become king, yet bound by restrictions for the rest of their lives. Outsiders may envy life in the palace, but the person living there may feel deeply constrained by a destiny already assigned to them. That is why some people have even chosen to give up life as a member of the royal family.

Those who live in a royal household at least enjoy the privilege of luxury. The Levites, however, did not enjoy such comfort, and yet they had to spend their whole lives serving in the work of the tabernacle. If they could not discover meaning, worth, and joy in serving God there, life as a Levite would likely have felt like a heavy punishment. Materially, they would have needed to be content with what was given to them, and find satisfaction in serving God and His people, in order to truly live well as Levites.

The same is true for the Christian life. To live as a Christian means, like the Levites, to be set apart for a holy life. Though each person lives with an ordinary occupation, as those who are set apart for what is holy, we are to be content with material things and find satisfaction in living for what is eternal and holy. Rather than being swayed by material temptation, living according to the calling we have been given should become the source of our joy.

Key Verse: 14–15

“In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the Israelites, and the Levites will be mine. After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to do their work at the Tent of Meeting.”

Prayer:

Thank You for cleansing us not with the blood of sheep and goats, but with the precious blood of the Lord, and for allowing us to live in the Most Holy Place. Thank You for making us “a royal priesthood” and “a holy people.” Help us to treasure our identity and to live holy lives according to Your calling. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God sets His people apart for Himself. Because God has made us His own, we are called to live clean hearts, joyful obedience, and faithful service.

• For Preschool-Elementary:

• What does it mean to belong to God?
• Why do you think God wanted the Levites to be ready and clean before serving?
• What is one small way you can serve God at home, at church, or at school this week?
• Youth:

• The devotional says Christians should find joy in living according to God’s calling. Where do you usually look for joy or identity?
• How can a student in Northern Virginia live as someone “set apart” without becoming prideful or isolated?
• What would it look like for your gifts, time, and future plans to belong to God?