Throughout our Numbers reading plan, we have compiled selections from both our She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth writers. The same devotionals can be found on the She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth apps and websites for the remainder of this reading plan.
We often celebrate those in the spotlight—the ones who make headlines. We follow news on musicians, buy their albums, travel to shows, find the best seats we can, and gush as they perform. We tend to elevate people because of their talent and fame. In reality, no one achieves stardom alone; there are managers, agents, stage crews, technicians, editors, family, friends, supporters, and more, all behind-the-scenes people who ensured the success of the person lauded onstage.
In the passages we read today, those behind-the-scenes people are the Levites. We know about the importance of the priests—under the law, they mediated between God and man. Atonement for sins came through the blood sacrifice that the priests performed. Aaron and his sons had those duties, and Scripture teaches that not just anyone could assume that office but that it was God who assigned it. Speaking of assignments, how did the Israelites manage all that was required for the tabernacle? Enter the Levites. The tabernacle is the place where God dwelled, and it was important to make sure it was attended to and furnished according to God’s exact instructions. Levites had duties to the Israelites and assignments to maintain the tabernacle for the priests, all with exact instructions for how it should be done.
In this job, they didn’t just have something to do—they had something significant and meaningful. The Levites were chosen to do something important. In reading about the high calling of the Levites, we can discover profound lessons in dedication, service, and grace. I found it humbling that as familiar as I am with the idea of the Old Testament’s priestly vocations, I discovered a beautiful parallel with what God’s doing today; God’s people were being taken care of by the Levites, and their role as both workers and spiritual guides underscores the inspiration we can take to serve the kingdom of God in anything we do. Spiritual leadership comes from everywhere, not just who’s headlining, at the top of the org chart, or from the one who’s in charge.
I wouldn’t say the Levites’ role went unnoticed, but it’s definitely one to learn from. Our lives have purpose, and our service matters. Embrace your calling, and like the Levites, embrace being an essential part of God’s design.
Written by Canaan Chapman
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36 thoughts on "Aaron’s Sons and Levites"
Loved this lesson
❤️
I need to remember that God has a purpose for me.
Same!
♥️
I think it’s important to remember that spiritual leadership comes from all corners, and we each have the opportunity to serve the kingdom of God in our own unique way.
I do appreciate all of you who list the prayer request to pray through. That is so helpful. I trust that you all had a blessed day sisters. I unexpectedly had to go and have an infected tooth removed today. It surely was not comfortable, but my mouth feels so much better now. Thanks be to God!
SUSAN RICHARDSON I will be praying for your daughter and the whole family. Cancer diagnosis does not mean the end of a life. It means changing the way one lives their life. I am a cancer survivor. Not sure where you live but if you are not close to MD Anderson, as Denise suggested, then on the East Coast is Memorial Sloan Kettering. That is where I received my care. Next to MD Anderson they are the best in cancer care.
Cheryl Blow – loved your, “I’m not retiring but refiring”!!❤️ If you don’t mind I might suggest that comment at my church when we need help.
Susan Richardson – for your daughter
Molly – loved all your comments ❤️
Gramsiesue – for a weary soul, He’s got you!
Thinking of all you caregivers and those going through difficult medical diagnoses. Prayers for strength and healing and peace.
SUSAN RICHARDSON – Dear sister in Christ, praying for healing, God’s peace, and Jesus’ love for your daughter and your family.
CHERYL BLOW – Continued prayers for a quick recovery of your shoulder.
GRAMSIESUE – Hold on to God, dear sister. Prayers for strength, energy and peace in His purpose for you.
ERB – Thank you, always, for your inspiring notes ❤️
RHONDA – Prayers for your pain group and Stacy.
KELLY (NEO) – Loved “your random thoughts” ❤️
RITA ANN – Joining my sisters in a quick recovery for Doug
LINDA IN NC – Happy 61-anniversary ❤️
JEN JANSSEN – Praying for peace, purpose and God’s presence to guide you.
TINA – Thank you for blessing us with your stories ❤️
MERCY – Safe travels today!
SARAH D – Cling to Him, dear Sarah.
D W – Dear sister, glad you are here. Lifting up the difficult situation with your daugther to our God. Nothing is too small for Him. Praying for energy, peace and joy.
TRACI GENDRON, SHARON JERSEY GIRL, MIA FAITH, ADRIENNE, SEARCHING, MICHELLE P, KELLY (NEO)❤️
God’s requirement of attention to detail in regards to the Tabernacle was not out of a power-crazy adherence to legality, but protection. God longs so much to be near us, with us, living alongside us, but the state of sin we live in makes it impossible without His gracious instructions. He could have just declared it impossible, stayed in Heaven until Jesus’ time, and left us to our own devices while he exacted judgements from the holiness of His throne. But He didn’t. He made a way to live among them. He made a way to be His covenant people and make it possible to send His son. He made the ultimate way, truth, and life in Jesus. He did not leave them to their own devices, and He doesn’t leave us now.
Today was a beautiful reminder that God has a purpose for all He exacts, for all He lays out carefully and graciously. He has a purpose for everyone’s calling, and how I fight that in my own pride and miss out on being in the protective, detailed, gracious calling He placed me in. I can look at just being in charge of “rafter, poles, and ropes” while I watch other get to carry the very ark of the Covenant. Or maybe I am carrying the very Ark of the Covenant and I am consumed by anxiety of messing up and wishing I could just be left to carry the actual tent walls and the screens.
I can get so caught up in wishing I had a different “job” that I forget that God, the very maker and sustainer of the Universe who loves me enough to give up His Son for me, might have made a mistake or missed a gifting of mine that He isn’t utilizing properly. Oh the silliness. Contentment isn’t just giving up and giving in to my “lot in life,” it’s taking a moment each day to find the joy and sheer gift of being place anywhere by His loving hand. Forgive me of my pride of always looking elsewhere.
MOLLY – thanks for sharing your insights and the reminder that the way God gifted me wasn’t a mistake.
I’m not a new reader, but I rarely post. I’m do so because my family is in need of prayer. My youngest daughter, 30 years old, has metastatic melanoma. We’re not getting information from the oncologist that we so desperately need. She’s been in the hospital for a week, in pain. She has vowed to beat this, but today is a hard day. There is a lot of pain & discouragement. Please pray for her. For healing if it’s in God’s will, for peace, for her to feel the love of Jesus. Thank you, sisters in Christ. To God be the Glory.
I just have to say that I love reading every single comment! I pray over the prayer requests. Those of you who list everyone, could this be part of your purpose to help us less organized ones keep praying for everyone?
I have to share that I have a devotional with a word for the week. I missed yesterday but today I opened the new week and the word is “purpose!” Not a coincidence! God is good! Here is a verse from that study: ”Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”“. A good place to start working on our purpose!
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.19-20.ESV
This is the first time I saw the Levites as the “people behind the scenes”. We can read and study and always learn something new!
I think God has a purpose for me in helping others that have sick children or children that have died. I have been put in so many paths of these moms lately. It is kind of crazy. I went into a store yesterday and I ended up sitting for an hour with a woman who was in tears. Her son has a large tumor on his heart. I may have mentioned her before, but anyway, she just needed someone to listen that understood her heartbreak.
JEN JANSEEN – Ask God to show you your purpose in the job He has put you in. It might just surprise you. It can be hard to see what God has in store for us. We are impatient thinking it should be something big. I have learned that His plan is always better and quite surprising.
We are all here on purpose for a purpose! Whatever we do we should do it as unto the Lord. I see a lot of people who attend a church but don’t find a place where they can serve at church. Service is vital for our continual growth. I’ve realized this since I’ve had my shoulder surgery. I attend a service but I haven’t been able to serve with my 2 & 3 year old class. It feels like something is missing. I need to serve. I know that after the recuperation I may not be able to be in that class but God has a place for me to serve. Jesus set the example of how to serve. We are called to a life of service. Many people when they retire stop serving but I said I’m not retiring but I’m refiring! As long as we are here, God has a purpose for us.
Such good comments.
I have been on a struggle bus lately. Life….it’s really hard right now. I’m just tired.
But God…
My life has purpose and my service matters. I should be embracing this time.
Time to get over this pity party and embrace my calling!
Prayers for many of you this morning.
Mia Faith ❤️
Jen Janssen ❤️
DW ❤️
Lynne from AL ❤️
Tara B ❤️
Char Hight ❤️
Anna Leonare ❤️
Victoria E ❤️
Michelle P ❤️
Laura Diance ❤️
Sarah D ❤️
You are all my tribe of sisters and I love you all so much.
Hugs and blessings ❤️
My heart breaks for you – may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding wrap you up and give you rest.
Notes from today:
Numbers 3:10-13
*the intricate details and organization as well as obedience in this chapter is, WOW!!!
**Verse 10 really stood out to me… “any unauthorized person who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.” This shows me how HOLY God is, and how important & serious it is to listen to and obey what He alone tells us!! It also makes me think about how many times I have done what I wanted, when I wanted, bringing self-motivated, unholy things onto Holy ground!! How many times have I walked outside of the will of God and come unbidden and unauthorized, before the sanctuary of His Presence.. yikes!!! VERY sobering!!
***I also never realized before the connection between the firstborn in Egypt and the firstborn in the Levites/priests!! That is absolutely mind-blowing!!! Our God never does anything without symbolism or having it come full circle!! Amazing!! And definitely worth Marveling at!!
Numbers 4:49
*again, this ENTIRE chapter..the PRECISION and detail!!! Wow!! NOTHING goes unnoticed or unthought of by Him!!
**Each member of the Body has a specific function, and it is SO important that we do not reach beyond that specific function as it can have disastrous effects!! Every single part of the Body plays a unique and essential role!! In other words the Body can’t function properly without each of us doing the part God has asked of us!!! Do not stray from what He has asked!! Stay in it!! Faithfully following through and obeying down to the very last and most minut detail!! God, may we KNOW Your voice above all and may we listen & obey it no matter the cost!! Amen.
Deuteronomy 18:1-2
*what stands out to me here is: the Lord is their inheritance!! Wow!!! Letting that sink down DEEP!!!
Hebrews 7:26-28
*Wow! We are SO BLESSED!!!! Thank You Jesus for being the permanent sacrifice, for tearing the curtain and allowing us direct access!! Help us stay humbled and surrendered to You!! Amen.
MAY EACH OF YOU BE BLESSED AND FEEL THE HAND OF GOD TODAY!! Lots of love! Xoxo
GM-
I love how the somewhat monotonous to us (Numbers Reading), can be turned to transformative information through these devotionals and SRT studies and your comments! That never gets old, how the Scripture is living and active! When you WANT to learn and know God, he will open the eyes!
@Mia Faith- hope you are making it through one day at a time in this hard time, great to see your name. Hugs.
@Julia–always so good
@Tina..love that, makes me think of my friend that cooks for the homeless for 14 years here in our local city! Your talk of the volunteers makes me want to step up and go help again! Her helpers (snowbirds) are going home and she asked for anyone to help. Of course, it takes time to put aside to go help…but I think I should try!!
@Kelly- thank you for your stewardship to be here every morning and also list prayer requests for us to pray through!!
Off to Pain Group this morning..without being caught up on today’s reading (I read SRT! lol). Prayers for our group and Stacy please!
“Our lives have purpose, and our service matters. Embrace your calling, and like the Levites, embrace being an essential part of God’s design.”
We are an essential part of God’s plan, every single one of us – even when we can’t see it or feel it. He has a purpose for all of us, and that purpose effects others. Sometimes I forget, sometimes I can’t see it and I feel so unusable. But praise God, He has much better “eyesight”! Praying that each of us will embrace God’s calling in our lives and embrace being an essential part of God’s design – because we are.
@Jen Jansen – praying for you today. May God remove the burden from your heart as you go through life changes and may He show you His plan and your purpose.
@Sarah D – may God give you peace in the waiting.
@Ruth Ann – prayers for Doug as he recovers from surgery.
@D W – praying that God will restore and bring reconciliation to you and your daughter, and for strength to get you through your conderences.
Happy Tuesday sisters – be blessed, and be a blessing!
Praying @Jen Janssen.
What a kind and loving God to give us purpose and individuality in service even as we serve along others to His higher purpose!!
Oh, the specifics today… more of them. God had a purpose, though. And so do we, sweet sisters. (I love, though, that Jesus came to be the high priest, and so we are not bound by all those specifics anymore! I would have a hard time remembering the specifics of the how-tos and would totally mess it up! Again, thanks be to Jesus!)
If I ever doubt that God has a plan and a purpose for me, I’ll need to revisit these and other Scriptures that showcase His detailed planning and purposeful assignments. All have a purpose, nothing by chance.
Praying for:
JEN JANSSEN – your job situation. As we are reading about God’s plan & purpose, may He show you how this is working for Him and for your good, and be able to find joy each day.
MERCY – safe travels
SARAH D – peace as you continue to trust God’s timing
RITA ANN – Doug’s recovery
LINDA IN NC – your cataract surgery, and your daughter as she steps in
D W – resolution of situation with your daughter, strength and encouragement as you smile through this conference
KELLY (NEO), JULIA C, TINA – ❤️ Amen.
MARIAN BAER & DARLENE FIMBRES – congrats!
Lol I just realized I used my whole name again! Autofill. Michelle P, lol.
Amen @Tina and Julia C ❤️
@Mercy- I can’t seem to find your post about your travels- but I am thankful to see you out of your norm. Praying peace and safety in Jesus name and that you enjoy wherever you are headed. ❤️
@Rita Ann- how is your husband Doug? ❤️
@Foster Mama – yes, thank you! I appreciate you pointing that out to me. I didn’t really think Google would lead people here to find me… And I post some pretty personal stuff sometimes in prayer requests. Appreciate you ❤️
Enjoying this reading plan so far ❤️
Father bless me to be a blessing.
Praying for Jen J—that God would give you peace and purpose in the transitions and changes. He is unchanging!
JEN JANSSEN – so sorry that you are struggling with your work situation. Praying God brings moments of joy and purpose today.
Random thoughts
More first-born boys in the general population than first-born Levites required a REDEMPTION payment in silver. All people required a redemtion payment that was paid by Jesus.
The Ark of the Covenant was always to be covered when it was not in the Tabernacle. The people never saw it (at least as they wondered in the wilderness). The Mercy Seat was always out of sight.
RITA ANN – praying for a quick recovery for Doug
D W – praying God gives you peace in the midst of the struggle with your daughter
LINDA IN NC – Sixty-one years❣️❣️❣️
SARAH D ❤️
MARIA BAER – congratulations
Can I ask for prayers this morning? My heart is heavy as there have been so many life changes and the most recent one is being back in a job I don’t love. A field that doesn’t bring life and it feels like I was made for more. And I don’t know what that more is. I feel broken right now but I know there is purpose in the brokenness.
Oh, JEN JANSSEN, most definitely will. I’ve been there and it can chip away at you wondering if this is it. Sending prayers as you go through moment in your life.
Amen
“Our lives have purpose, and our service matters. Embrace your calling, and like the Levites, embrace being an essential part of God’s design.” — Thank you, CANAAN CHAPMAN!
“He who counts the stars and calls them all by their names, leaves nothing unarranged in his own service.” — Spurgeon
“It is worthy of note that these Levites, although they were all equally consecrated to God, had not all exactly the same work to perform. God is not the God of all uniformity. There is a wondrous unity of plan and design in all that he does, but there is also an equally marvellous variety.” — Spurgeon
Dear Father,
Thank You for giving us Jesus as the High Priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26)
We are Yours and You are the Lord. (Numbers 3:13)
And as our God, You take care of us.
As your children, You call us to do Your Kingdom work.
Not by ourselves, but together as one family: each according to her calling. (Numbers 4:49)
May we embrace our calling.
May we embrace being an essential part of Your design.
AMEN.
Our lives have purpose!
It was only yearerday, I was talking to a colleague about the volunteers that come day in, day out to make our/my work easier.
For the past 16 years I have worked for a church, cooking for the disadvantaged in our community. It has been, and still is an honour to do so, but I could not do it alone.
The volunteers make the job lighter and less stressful, by being there they take the slack, whether it be putting the plates and crockery out, or preparing tea and coffee with the accompanying sugar and milk.
They come smiling, they encourage, they minister to our guests, they give of their time, freely. They bless, absolutely bless!
For most of them, now in the autumn of life, they feel their lives still have purpose, in giving of their time, I say, they are angels! Beautiful, hearted angels!
No matter, the stage of life, where we are at, what we do, our lives will and should always have purpose..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.
Happy Tuesday, you Beauties, be blessed, and don’t forget to be a blessing, no matter how small, it WILL matter!
Much love,
Tinax♥️