Numbers 8

V 1–4: SEVEN LAMPS The seven lamps of the hammered gold lampstand are now lit as part of the dedication. V 5–14: SANCTIFIED LEVITES God tells Moses how to sanctify the Levites. They are ceremonially cleansed by the sprinkling of water of purification, shaving their bodies, and washing their clothes. Then appropriate offerings are made and they are to be brought into the tabernacle before the congregation. The children of Israel are to identify with the Levites by the laying on of their hands, and Aaron is then to offer them as a wave offering before the Lord. Sin offerings are to be made like a wave offering to the Lord, by Aaron and his sons. The Levites are to be God’s special possession. V 15–19: SUBSTITUTED LEVITES God has already substituted the Levites for the firstborn among the children of Israel. God gives the Levites as His special possession to Aaron and the priests for the work of the tabernacle to make sure that that work is maintained clean, holy and pure, thereby avoiding a plague. V 20–22: SEPARATED LEVITES The Levites are separated from the congregation to do the work of God in the tabernacle before Aaron and his sons, the priests. God’s commands are carried out. V 23–26: SERVING LEVITES Levites are to be between the ages of twenty-five and fifty, to serve the Lord. At the age of fifty, they are to stop doing the work prescribed, but they are still free to serve their brethren in the tabernacle to attend to their needs. No servant of God is ever permanently retired!