Title: People set apart/Numbers 8:1-26
Contents Hymn of the Week: Chapter 503 August 28, 1995
Text: Numbers 8:1-26 Youngjin Church Dawn
Title: Distinct People 08.hwp
The duties of the Levites (Numbers 8:1-13) The tabernacle is the Old Testament altar where the people of Israel served God by pitching a Holy Tent when they came out of Egypt and lived in the wilderness. It is the model of the present church.
1. The lamp of the tabernacle (1-4). God told us to always keep a lamp on in front of the lighthouse inside the tabernacle.
This has the purpose of illuminating the darkness, but it symbolically speaks of God's presence.
This light is the light of Jesus Christ and the light of right deeds that the saints should shine on the world.
2. The duties of the Levites (5-13) The duties of the Levites to help the priests with the ceremonies of purification and service for the tent of meeting
It was very important. As the Lord took the Levites, so the Lord has called us out of the world and has purified us. Just as a Levite shaved his whole body with a razor, so the saints must push out their wrong habits, and it is the duty of the Levites to purify their sinful bodies by burning them with the water of the Word and the fire of the Holy Spirit, just as they wash clothes, so that they can rejoice in the Lord. It is the work of the saints. Today, there are many believers in the church, but few outside the church. They have the form of godliness but have lost the power of godliness.
3. Separated people (Numbers 8:14-19) The meaning of distinction in the Bible always presupposes holiness.
He divided the Levites among the children of Israel. This is an office distinction, not a hierarchical distinction. God's purpose in setting the Levites apart was for service in the tent of meeting. It does not mean that the service of the tent of meeting is more important than others, but rather that they have chosen them to take on this task. Some Christians have the idea that church work is important and their profession is lowly, but it is not right. Our jobs are as precious as our work in the temple, and we must do our best there.
4. Holy service (Numbers 8:20-26)
The Lord's work is not entrusted to anyone. Not only elders, but also kwons, deacons, magistrates, choir members, Sunday school teachers, etc., should never be appointed on the basis of any human relationship such as delay, school ties, blood ties, etc. Only those who have been sanctified may take up the office and serve. We need to get rid of the unsavory terms like political elder and political deacon in our churches as soon as possible. This is because it is the most vivid evidence of religious depravity. Only those who have faith, who normally have evidence of faith, are worthy to serve.
The young and the elderly were excluded (24-25) The younger or the older were not permitted to serve. It is right to give him the best time of his life, even for his age. The church must also take into account age when selecting workers.
When you are young, you have to work hard and do your best to live a life of loyalty.
Prayer / Fire: For our children
Faith, Education, Career / Through your children, let us see the glory of the Lord.