Today's passage: Numbers 8
Helpful thoughts:
- More information on the lampstand can be found in Exodus 25:31-40 and 37:17-24.
- The Levites were devoted to the Lord “in exchange” for all the firstborn in Israel. They were “waved” before the Lord as an offering, giving themselves in service for Him.
- The Levite men were able to serve in carrying the articles of the tabernacle from the ages of 25-50.
- The ages 25-30 may have been an apprenticeship time period (Numbers 4:23).
- After the age of 50, men could continue to guard the temple and help others, but the task of carrying the articles of the tabernacle was given to the younger men.
Questions to consider:
- What do we see as the big picture purpose of this chapter? How was it helpful to Israel and the Levites?
- In what way would the rest of the Levites have been a “gift” to Aaron and his sons/descendants (Verse 19)? What did the Levites do that made the work of the tabernacle possible?
- In what ways have you served within the church? How does the service of every member make the whole body of Christ function and flourish (1 Corinthians 12:12-20)?