Numbers 8
Numbers 8 describes the instructions given by God regarding the lighting of the lamps on the golden lampstand, the purification and dedication of the Levites for their service, and the age limits for their duties in the tabernacle. This chapter emphasizes the importance of sacred service, the consecration of those who serve, and the continual responsibility to keep God’s presence central to Israel’s worship.
Numbers 8:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’”
3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.
God instructs Aaron through Moses to position the seven lamps on the golden lampstand so that they shine forward. This emphasizes that the light from the lamps was to illuminate the holy space, symbolizing God’s presence and the need for spiritual clarity among His people. The lampstand itself is a representation of the divine light guiding Israel, and Aaron’s obedience underscores the importance of following God's commands precisely.
Numbers 8:4 (NKJV)
4 Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
The lampstand is described as a beautiful and intricate piece of craftsmanship, made from a single piece of hammered gold. Its design followed the exact pattern that God had shown Moses on Mount Sinai. This detail emphasizes that every part of the tabernacle’s furnishing, including the lampstand, was divinely inspired, signifying God’s perfect order and beauty in worship.
Numbers 8:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean."
God instructs Moses to ceremonially cleanse the Levites, who were chosen to serve in the tabernacle. The purification process included sprinkling water, shaving their entire body, and washing their clothes. This outward cleansing symbolized an inner purification, preparing the Levites to approach their holy duties with purity and dedication. It reflects the need for those who serve God to be spiritually clean.
Numbers 8:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites.
The Levites were to offer a sin offering and a grain offering as part of their purification. The entire congregation of Israel was involved in this ceremony, symbolically laying hands on the Levites to transfer responsibility for service. This act of consecration underscores the communal role of the Levites as representatives of the people before God, signifying their sacred calling.
Numbers 8:11-13 (NKJV)
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the Lord.
12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the Lord, to make atonement for the Levites.
13 And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the Lord.
The Levites were offered before the Lord as a symbolic wave offering, representing their dedication to His service. By laying their hands on the heads of the bulls, they identified with the sin offering and burnt offering, making atonement for themselves before they could serve. This act symbolizes the need for atonement and personal sanctification for those who minister in the presence of God.
Numbers 8:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.
15 After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering.
16 For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel.
God declares that the Levites belong wholly to Him, replacing the firstborn of Israel. This signifies the Levites’ special role as God’s possession, consecrated for His service. Their role is set apart from the rest of the Israelites, emphasizing that those who serve in the tabernacle must be wholly devoted to God’s purposes.
Numbers 8:17-18 (NKJV)
17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself.
18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
God reminds Israel that all firstborns, human and animal, belong to Him, a reminder of the Passover when He spared the firstborn of Israel in Egypt. Instead of requiring the firstborn of every family, He has chosen the Levites to serve Him in their place. This underscores God's sovereignty and the importance of remembering the deliverance from Egypt.
Numbers 8:19 (NKJV)
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.
God gave the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons to assist them in their priestly duties, ensuring that Israel’s sins would be atoned for. This protective role is crucial because it prevents the Israelites from being harmed when approaching the sanctuary. The Levites act as mediators, carrying out the necessary rituals to ensure God's presence remains with Israel.
Numbers 8:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
21 And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 After that, the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
The Israelites obeyed God’s instructions for the consecration of the Levites. The Levites completed their purification, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord. Afterward, they were fully prepared to begin their duties in the tabernacle. This shows the importance of obediently following God’s process for sanctification before beginning His work.
Numbers 8:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
24 “This is what pertains to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting;
25 and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more.
26 They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.”
God established age limits for the Levites’ service: they would begin at twenty-five and retire at fifty. After fifty, they were no longer to perform the heavy labor but could still assist in other supportive tasks. This arrangement ensures that the service of the Levites remains effective and that the older members are honored with lighter duties.