Keeping Moving
Opening Prayer
Thank God for the ways in which you serve him, and offer them to him as an expression of your worship.
Read Numbers 3:1-13
[1] This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai. [2] The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. [3] Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests. [4] Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron. [5] The LORD said to Moses, [6] “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. [7] They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. [8] They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. [9] Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. [10] Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.” [11] The LORD also said to Moses, [12] “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, [13] for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What was the function of the Levites?Meeting in a public building—as many churches do—doesn’t necessarily mean less work. Setting up equipment and seating for each meeting can be a big task. But whether you own a building or not, living and worshiping as communities of God’s people inevitably involves a lot of work. The Israelites faced similar issues as they travelled through the desert. The tabernacle was a portable sanctuary and the four sons of Aaron who had been anointed as priests (3) could not take sole responsibility for it. The death of two of them (4) only made that more clear. God freed them from that task, giving it to the tribe of Levi (1:50-53). Transporting, setting up and guarding the tabernacle and its furniture was a serious job. It’s easy to make distinctions between so-called “spiritual” and “practical” ministry. The Levites were responsible for very practical tasks, but their dedication to God was just as important as that of the priests. They may have been given to the priests (9), but ultimately they were the Lord’s (13). If our service is dedicated to him, we shouldn’t minimize its value.
Apply
How do you serve God in your church? Do you make the task of your leaders harder or easier?
Closing prayer
Lord God, I want to serve You and my church well. Show me ways that I can offer You that service.
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