To learn the value God puts upon the Levites in His own way, time, and place, we should trace them in their original standing in connection with the tribe of Simeon, where in sin and evil they are one (Genesis 49:5.) “Simeon and Levi are brethren” (one) Romans 3:9-23. “All under sin”; “all out of the way”; “all guilty”; “instruments of cruelty in their habitations”; “their feet are swift to shed blood.” God can have no association with the flesh in any shape: either with its dignity or with its evil. “My soul, come not thou into their secret”; “be not thou united with their assembly.” All He can do with it is to divide and scatter it: consequently, you find the tribe of Levi in new circumstances, and a new standing. In Deuteronomy 33:8, His union with Simeon is dissolved-he is now (“God’s holy one”; the firstborn of the land of Egypt, dead (Exodus 11:5, Romans 6:6); the firstborn in the way of nature set aside, and others chosen instead (Numbers 3:40, &c.; Romans 9:8, 15, 16). They are cleansed and consecrated in a new standing (Numbers 8:6-26. Numbers 18:2);—as united with Aaron, (John 17:6.) Where God’s wisdom, power, might, strength and dignity are put forth for them in His own first born (1 Corinthians 1:30, 31); in whom God himself has anointed and established them (2. Cor. 1:21).
The Lord, setting aside the firstborn of the children of Israel, and taking up the Levites in their place proves that blessing comes not in the way of nature; as in the cases of Cain, Ishmael, Esau, Reuben (Genesis 49:3; 1 Chronicles 5:1.) Compare John 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Reuben is descriptive of the flesh in its natural energy and glory: “my firstborn, my might, my strength, dignity, and power”; God’s estimate of it— “unstable, cannot excel.” He does not acknowledge any circumstances in the flesh; however great and mighty, He must set them aside, that nothing should be gloried in but Himself (1 Corinthians 1:29; Romans 9:8). Those who have been taken up in Christ Jesus are those to whom mercy has been shorn, without any regard to qualification, having had all the circumstances of their flesh set aside; both their Reuben might and dignity, &c., and their Simeon and Levi union in sin and evil, dissolved in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in His resurrection, as God’s firstborn, the whole tribe of Levi are alive in new circumstances, looked at as one—the substance of Him (Deuteronomy 33:22) who is the Seed (Galatians 3:16,28,29; Psalms 139:15,16.)
The Levites, in their service, represent the Church in its aspect of service towards men: in the world, though not of it as servants of Jesus Christ, by virtue of their being joined with Aaron, within the veil,” and waiting on him for their service.” (Numbers 4:19,27. 1 Chronicles 23:8)
1. —The Levites were the Lord’s, taken by Him, according to His own purpose, instead of the firstborn, from among the children of Israel. (Numbers 3:12,13. John 17:6. John 1:13.
2. —They were to be cleansed and separated to the service, before the whole assembly. (Numbers 8:6-17. 1 Corinthians 6:1;1.)
3. —The Lord gives the Levites as a gift to Aaron, out of the children of Israel. (Numbers 8:19. John 17:6.)
4. —Aaron gives them back to the Lord as an offering, when cleansed. (Numbers 8:21. John 17:10.)
5. —They were then to enter into the tabernacle, to do the service. (Numbers 8:22. Numbers 4 Romans 6 rt-3.)
6. —They were to be joined to Aaron, and brought near, to minister and wait on him: (Numbers 18:2, 4. Numbers 3:6. Romans 12:1, 2.)
7. —They were not to be numbered with the other tribes. (Numbers 1:47. John 17:16.)
8. —Their rod had Aaron’s name upon it, giving it value, as the man’s rod whom the Lord chose. (Numbers 17:3, 5. Ephesians 2:10; Romans 7:4.)
9. —There was life connected with their service. The rod of Aaron budded, and brought forth fruit, on their behalf. (Numbers 17:8. John 15:3, 4, 5. Philippians 1:1.)
10. —They were to have nothing earthly, and to be classed with the fatherless, stranger, and widow; “yet not to be forsaken.” The Lord was to be their inheritance. (Deuteronomy 14:29. 1 Peter 2:11. Hebrews 13:5. Deuteronomy 12:29. Deuteronomy 18:1, 2. 2 Corinthians 6:10. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.)
11. —Their food, the offerings of the Lord made by fire. (Deuteronomy 18:1. Psalms 36:8. John 6:56, 57.)
12. —They were the fewest in number of all the tribes. (Numbers 3:39. Numbers 1 Matthew 7:14.)
13. —The cities of refuge were appointed for their habitation. (Josh. 21:2-42.)
14. —They were to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, until they came to the rest, and to bless in the name of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 10:8, 9. Numbers 13:31. 2 Samuel 6. 1 Chronicles 15:2-13. 2 Corinthians 8. Galatians 6:10. Luke 19:13.
15. —They were to wait on Aaron and his sons for their service, each one in his place, according to the commandment of the Lord. (Numbers 4:5, 15, 19, 27. 1 Chronicles 23:28. 1 Corinthians 12:4 to end.)
The nature of the Levites’ service in the wilderness. —
The burden of the tabernacle —to carry it through the wilderness. (Numbers 4:17-47.)
To keep the charge of it under Aaron and his sons. (2 Corinthians 10:4, “To war the warfare.” (margin).
But when they came to the rest they ceased. (1 Chronicles 23:24-26.)
“No more to carry the tabernacle.” Verse 26.
Then praise was their service. Verse 30.
The service of the sons of Aaron was, with their father, to minister within the vail, in the priest’s office; having been consecrated with Aaron, for the service. (Exodus 29) which presents the Church in its priestly character. (1 Peter 2:5, 9. Revelation 1:6. 1 John 2:20, 27. Hebrews 10:19, 13:25. Ephesians 2:5, 6. 1 Corinthians 6:17.)
Their service, not a burden, but “a service of gift;” (Numbers 18:5,7,8—to keep the charge of the tabernacle and the altar, and everything within the vail; the heave offerings, and the hallowed things; the oil for the light, sweet incense, &c.; to blow with the trumpets for the journeying of the camps, calling the assembly, and sounding the alarm. (Numbers 10:1-8.)
Aaron and his sons were washed together (Exodus 29:4). Consecrated together (Exodus 29:19. Colossians 2:10). Anointed together (Exodus 30:30. 2 Corinthians 1:21). Sanctified together, (Exodus 28:41. John 17:17). Clothed together (Exodus 40:13, 14.) Accepted together (Leviticus 8:27. Ephesians 1:6.) To eat together (Leviticus 8:31, 1 John 1:3, 7.). Their garments to be hallowed together (Exodus 29:21). To bless the people together (Numbers 6:22. 1 Peter 3:9.)
“ As He is, so are we in this world.”-1 John 4:17. Complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). Perfected in Him (Hebrews 10:14). Sons of God in Him (Colossians 1:13). Loved by the Father in Him (John 17:13). Priests unto God in Him (Revelation 1:6.)
All effected to the church by the value of the precious blood of Christ, proved and secured to them by Resurrection and Ascension.