The Importance of Those Working Behind the Scenes.
(Numbers 8: 1-26)
When people attend church, they typically notice the leaders, the pastors or ministers, the musicians, maybe even the greeters or ushers. Yet, there's a larger group behind the scenes, without whom many things wouldn't get done.
While the upfront leaders required to have spiritual qualifications as outlined in scripture, what about those who work behind the scenes?
Well, it is an Old Testament passage sheds light on this. We often think of prominent figures like Moses, Aaron, and Joshua, or kings like David.
However, during their time in the wilderness and even after entering the land, there was the Tabernacle and behind and beyond the priests’ offering sacrifices, the Bible reveals another group often overlooked. Surprisingly, they too had spiritual qualifications.
So today, let's explore these unsung heroes who work behind the scenes.
Welcome to TBPDP
Turning to Numbers chapter 8, we transition from the leaders of each tribe bringing offerings in chapter 7 to the Levites in chapter 8.
The tribe of Levi, often in the background, plays a crucial role in the spiritual life of the community.
The Levites were the ones who did not have an inheritance of land.
But what is not often understood is that not all Levites were priests, all priests were Levite's but not all the Levites were priests.
So what we're talking about in this chapter are the Levite’s that were not priests. So with that in mind look at with me at numbers chapter 8, beginning at verse one.
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’” 3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. 4 This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.
(Numbers 8: 1-4)
I'm going to pause here. This chapter is divided into two parts the first part just discussed is the lighting of the lamp stands. The second part will deals with the consecration of the Levite’s that I mentioned just a moment ago.
So, let's look at this first part the lighting of the lamps.
Verse, one instructs Moses to tell Aaron to arrange the seven lamps to give light, ensuring that the light shines in front of the lampstand. Each lamp had six arms, designed to cast light forward and illuminate the surroundings. Symbolically, these lights represent concepts like the Lord being the light of the world and Israel's role as a light to the nations.
While the high priests were ultimately in charge, at this moment, the focus is simply on lighting the lamps. Verses one and two provide the command, while verses three and four indicate that it was carried out.
So the message he is to give is straightforward: light the lamps.
In the New Testament, gatherings often occurred in homes where shared meals were significant. This required considerable effort like setting up tables, cooking, and serving food. Even in outdoor courtyards, where early church meetings may have taken place, there were logistical challenges, such as setting up spaces for communal meals.
As churches grew and moved into buildings, the workload increased exponentially. Simple tasks like turning on the lights spread into other areas of crucial responsibility.
It's these individuals who keep the ground or gardens, clean the place, put out chairs, handle finances, and perform countless other tasks that keep our church functioning smoothly.
When I read about lighting the lamps in this passage, I can't help but think of the myriad responsibilities carried out by these dedicated individuals, without whom our church communities would not be able to function, let alone thrive.
Alright that's the first part of the chapter the second part of the chapter talks about the consecration.
The Setting Apart of the Levites.
5 The Lord said to Moses: 6 “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7 To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. 8 Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9 Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting and assemble the whole Israelite community. 10 You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. 11 Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord. 12 “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the Lord. 14 In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.
(Number 8: 5-14)
The Lord now commands Moses to select those who are Levites from and ceremonially cleanse them. This cleansing process is detailed in the following verses.
They are to be sprinkled with the water of purification, their hair is to be cut short and their clothes are to be washed. Additionally, they are instructed to bring a young bull as a grain offering mixed with oil, along with another young bull as a sin offering. This requirement underscores the reality that even those who serve the Lord are not immune to sin and require cleansing.
However, this acknowledgment of sin is not cause for hopelessness but rather a recognition of the need for continual cleansing and forgiveness of all who would wish to be set apart for God’s service. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us,
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1: 9)
Thus, everyone who serves the Lord, including those who perform tasks behind the scenes, must remain conscious of their need for cleansing and forgiveness.
Moses is then instructed to bring the Levites before the Tabernacle, along with the entire community of Israel. The Levites are then presented before the Lord, and representatives of the children of Israel lay their hands on them, consecrating them for the work of the Lord.
This passage highlights the significance of the fact that despite their human frailty they are chosen and consecrated for this sacred task. Again, it serves as a reminder that all who serve the Lord, regardless of their role or capacity, are called to approach their service with humility, and acknowledge their dependence on God's cleansing and forgiveness.
Remember these are not the priest, these are the ordinary Levites doing the work behind the scenes.
A similar practice of laying on of hands is found in the New Testament when individuals are ordained for ministry. In that context, it also in that context signifies setting them apart to serve the Lord in a particular capacity.
Then, the priests offer the Levites to the Lord as a living sacrifice, mirrored in the New Testament call in Romans 12:2 to present our bodies as living sacrifices.
The final verse of this section then emphasizes this point by stating that the Levites belong to the Lord, signifying their dedication to His service.
In essence, this passage underscores the importance of the Levites who work behind the scenes in the service of the Tabernacle. They undergo cleansing, dedication, and separation to serve the Lord. This separation is not only from sin but also unto the Lord, highlighting the spiritual significance of their role.
15 “After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering, they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting. 16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman. 17 Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal, is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself. 18 And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel. 19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites and to make atonement for them so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.”
20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them. 22 After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses.
23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”
(Numbers 8: 15-26)
This concept of separation in scripture encompasses both separation from sin but also separation unto the Lord. Unfortunately, some people have focused solely on the separation from certain sins, neglecting the equally important aspect of being setting apart and dedicating your life of service unto the Lord in his service.
A similar analogy can be drawn with marriage, where one is separated from all other potential partners and dedicating oneself solely to their spouse.
Here we now see God explain the significance of the Levites being set apart for Him. He declares that all the firstborn among the children of Israel, both humans and animals, belong to Him, as established during the time of the Exodus when He spared the firstborn of Israel but struck down the firstborn of Egypt.
Originally, God intended to claim the firstborn from each tribe and animal as His own. However, in verse 16, God indicates a change in His plan. Instead of taking the firstborn of all the tribes, He designates the Levites as substitutes for the people.
The Levites here are chosen to replace the firstborn of Israel, and they are wholly given to the Lord from among the children of Israel. This selection signifies a special dedication of the Levites to serve God in a unique capacity.
In essence, the Levites are chosen by God to serve as substitutes for the firstborn of Israel, dedicated to assisting the priests in their sacred duties.
The Book of Numbers will become particularly intriguing as we look deeper into its coming chapters where we will see the Israelites repeatedly demonstrated disobedience to God's commands.
There will soon come a point where their compliance falters. This pattern of obedience followed by disobedience is a recurrent theme that we will encounter as we progress through the book.
Verses 23-26 outline the qualifications for service among the Levites. Individuals between the ages of 25 and 50 are deemed eligible to perform services in the Tabernacle. However, upon reaching the age of 50, they are relieved of their duties and are no longer required to work.
A sort of retirement when at 50 their active service in the Tabernacle ceases.
This notion of mandatory retirement at the age of 50 may seem unsettling to some, particularly those who find fulfilment and purpose in their work. It prompts questions about retirement and one's continued contribution to society. Yet, it is important to recognize the context in which these regulations were established.
So in summary, this chapter emphasizes the importance of all their acts of service and it highlights the necessity of individuals to perform various tasks, both menial and significant, in the communal worship setting.
The Levites' role symbolizes the connection between the community and their service to God.
While the Levites were assigned specific tasks, they were not isolated; rather, they symbolized the community's dedication to the Lord, representing offerings from the people.
At heart this chapter underscores the significance of the indispensable service of those who enable the faith community to function. It underlines the communal aspect of worship, where individuals perform diverse tasks, from the mundane to the high profile but all in service to God.
This passage, often interpreted by many as the beginning of the ministry of deacons and other workers ants in the church, sheds light on the essential role of servants in the church.
In the New Testament, two primary offices are recognized: elders and deacons, each with specific qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy chapter 3.
Regardless of their specific title, within our church traditions these individuals all served a vital function behind the scenes, akin to the Levites in Numbers chapter 8.
What's fascinating is that despite their seemingly mundane tasks, there were strict qualifications for these servants. They all had to be of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit, and possess wisdom.
This notion of being filled with the Spirit is a complex and controversial topic, often linked to wisdom prophecy and spiritual understanding.
However, this passage along with passage like Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3, being filled with the Spirit is connected with a much wider range of giftings all empowered by letting the word of Christ dwell richly within believers.
Thus, those serving in minor roles in the church also need to be spiritually mature, grounded in Scripture, and respected by their peers.
In essence, whether they're called deacons, worship leaders, administrators, cleaners, or anything else, these individuals play a crucial role in the functioning of the church.
Their service as described in the New Testament was not merely logistical but deeply spiritual, requiring both integrity and wisdom.
Similarly, every congregation today requires individuals who are spiritually mature and dedicated to serving the Lord in whatever capacity is needed.
However, in the New Testament passage that deal with these issues the earliest apostles recognize the importance of their primary role in preaching the word of God and attending to prayer.
They acknowledge that while the tasks of distributing food or serving tables or other pastoral roles are necessary, it also was recognised it could divert those responsible for teaching the word from their core responsibilities.
Hence, they propose appointing others to oversee this aspect of ministry so that they can dedicate themselves fully to prayer and the ministry of the word.
This highlights a crucial aspect of church ministry: the need for volunteers and servants who handle various different tasks, thereby allowing those engaged in preaching and prayer to focus on their calling.
While it might be tempting for leaders to involve themselves in every aspect of ministry, it's essential to prioritize and delegate tasks effectively.
I spite of the pressure many who pastor and minister churches feel, as ministers of the word, our primary responsibility is to ensure that we are faithfully proclaiming and teaching Scripture.
But also every individual serving the Lord, whether in a visible or behind-the-scenes role, should possess spiritual qualifications and carry out their duties with dedication. From opening up, to cleaning or to teaching the word, each task contributes to the overall work of the Lord and all these things deserves to be done with excellence and devotion.