ENTERING INTO SERVICE

“This is what Moshe, Aharon and all the community of the people of Isra’el did to the L’vi’im. The people of Isra’el acted in accordance with everything that Adonai had ordered Moshe in regards to the L’vi’im”
Numbers 8:20

As I mentioned last, Numbers 8 begins to bring our attention to two specifics. The first, as we read, was the menorah. The second, as we will learn today, is the further consecration of the L’vi’im (Levites) into their respected services. If we look back starting in Numbers 8:5, we read that Moshe received the instruction of taking the L’vi’im and cleansing them. The cleansing was to be done by sprinkling the purification water on them, having their whole body shaved with a razor, and washing both them and their clothes. Two bulls were offered to Adonai as the L’vi’im were presented before the tent of meeting in the front of all of Isra’el. The people of Isra’el were to lay their hands on the L’vi’im, who in turn would lay their hands on the bulls to make their atonement before Adonai.
With the ceremony completed as instructed by Adonai, the L’vi’im entered into service within the tent of meeting. Again we are reminded here that Adonai took this tribe as separate from the additional tribes. This was His firstborn. In taking them He gave them to Aharon for the service of His people to make the atonement needed, so that no plague would fall on the people of Isra’el in consequence of the people coming too close to the sanctuary. As such, the L’vi’im cleansed themselves and washed their clothes as an act of purity, allowing themselves to be offered by Aharon before Adonai.
As the chapter closes, however, we read one final command. Duty for the L’vi’im would start at age 25. Duty would also cease at age 50. Past 50 they were able to assist, but could no longer play a main role. While different than what we now see fit as the right age for retirement, this command of Adonai’s was expected to be followed in order to receive His continued blessing.

Numbers 8:15-26