16They 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. - P26
17Every 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. - P26
19From 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." - P26
20Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. - P27
23The 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,
- P27
The Levites represent the firstborn sons of Israel, who are set apart for God. - P28
They(livites) bear the responsibility of ensuring that the appropriate cleansing rituals and offerings are performed so that the Israelites remain pure and holy as God’s people and do not incur the consequences of any neglect when going near the sanctuary. - P28
The Levites are involved not only in the worship, ceremonies, and offerings, but also in the assembling, maintenance, and transport of the tabernacle and all of its contents. Thus, God wisely ensures that after twenty-five years of hard work, the older Levites can retire and no longer bear any unnecessary burdens. - P28
They are given the freedom to contribute to the community without allowing their service to negatively impact their health. - P28
Regardless of our life stage, we can all serve with appreciationfor one another, working together to build up God‘s kingdom. - P29
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunities I have to serve in Your house. Please open doors for me to serve in areas that are being neglected so that all might thrive and bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P29
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