Christ in all the scriptures Principles of service

Christ in all the scriptures

Principles of service    Numbers 8

In chapter 8 we move from the external to the internal; from the public display of worship to the inward man before the Lord.  The scene begins in the Holy Place, and describes the key issues of service for God.  The chapter could be divided as follows:

Illumination  v1-4: Purification  v5-8: Identification  v9-15: Substitution  v16-18:  Dedication  v19-22:  Limitation v23-26.  Each of these are important features of Divine service and can be applied today.   Most of our lives are in private, where only God can see, and He looks for integrity in our service.  In Matthew 6 our Lord emphasised the need for reality in service, and spiritual exercise was to be before the Father, and not for the praise of men-6v3-4; 6v6; 6v16-18.  Divine service is not for show but for the Lord. This is underlined in the chapter before us.

Illumination  8v1-4   There seems no connection between v1-4 and the rest of the chapter.  However, on reflection these first few verses sum up the whole character of Divine service.  We are brought to the golden lampstand illuminated by the burning oil in plentiful supply.  Everything in the Holy place was illuminated by the brightness of the lampstand, but the main purpose of the lamps was to enhance the beauty of the lampstand-"...the seven lamps shall give light over against the lampstand"-8v2. The lamps were strategically placed to give light upon the golden lampstand.  Spiritually speaking, the Holy Spirit illuminates the beauties of Christ.  The excellence, the beauties of Christ, is to mark all our service for God.  Consider this lampstand, symbolic as it is of Christ.

It was made of pure gold, other vessels were gold plated but the lampstand was pure gold.  There are no dimensions given, speaking of the infinite nature of His Godhood.  He is very God of very God, yet He is eternally united to us, as seen in the six branches all one with the central stem.  The lampstand was fashioned out of one talent of pure gold, and beaten into intricate shape by skilful hands.  This speaks of the sufferings of Christ, experienced also by His people to bring this incredible and unique union into being.  Because He suffered, we will also suffer the contradiction and abuse of men-John 15v18-19;16v1-3 and 16v33.  As the lamps illuminate the glorious lampstand, we see no less than 66 golden ornamentations of crafted excellence in the whole.  A series of three bowls, knops (buds), and flowers in each of the six branches, making 54 in all.  In the central stem there are four such patterns, making a total of12.  Together they add to 66 individual symbols on the whole.  It is no coincidence that the bible is put together with 66 books.  Psalm 119v105 records, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path".  Thus the symbolism is of the lampstand as God's word with 66 books making up the whole library.  What is the essence of these 66 books, but a revelation of Christ, according to Luke 24v27 and44; also John 5v39.  Who penned the holy scriptures, but the Holy Spirit, who in every book extols the beauties of Christ, just as the olive oil illuminated the lampstand!  The word of God in its entirety, and the Holy Spirit's inspiration, proclaiming the wonders of Christ.  This is vital for all service, we represent one so glorious, that our understanding of bit should develop and mark every aspect of our service to God,

Purification  8v5-8  It is obvious that such service requires cleanliness of living and operation.  The One whom we serve is without sin, He did no sin, He knew no sin, in Him was no sin.  The bible is emphatic on the sinlessness of Christ.  We will never be sinless this side of eternity but we must be cleansed, and maintain that cleanliness as we serve Him.  We have the resources and we must use them, so that we are pure in the service of God.  The Levites were to be clean from all contamination, "And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make them clean".   The New Testament parallel is in 2nd Cor. 7v1 and 1st John 1v7-9.  Confession of sin, when it arises, that is stating the sin and agreeing with God's estimate of it, allows the cleansing of the soul by the power of the blood of Christ to purify us to continue in service.  This is a personal exercise that we must engage in Divine service.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord"-Isaiah 52v11.  This needs attention among us so urgently.

Identification  8v9-15  This is the laying on of hands perspective, that those who engage in a particular work should be recognised as such, and given every help in their ministry whatever form it takes.  This just goes to mutual respect among the saints of God.  The laying on of hands is a means of identification on a person by another (usually an older person).  Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph on his deathbed (Genesis 48v14).  The children of Israel laid their hands on the Levites to perform the service of the tabernacle (Numbers 8v10).  The apostles laid their hands on seven deacons to serve tables (Acts 6v6).  The church at Antioch laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul for their mission to the Gentiles.  The elders laid hands on Timothy as identification of his pastoral gift from God-1st Timothy 4v14.  Paul laid his hands on Timothy in impartation of his spiritual gift-(2nd Timothy 1v6). There is no mandate for any official, physical laying on of hands, but a simple acknowledgment of a person's work for the Lord is sufficient.  There is no doubt that gifted people can inspire spiritual exercise in others, though all gifts are from the Lord.

Substitution  8v16-18  This is a reminder that we are only of value to God in service because Christ became or substitute, He took our place before a holy God who was against us.  The Levites were a substitute for the firstborn on every family whom God had claimed as His own.  Peter wrote, "Christ also hath suffered for sins the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God"-1st Peter 3v18.  Divine endowment on people can oftentimes produce an unwarranted conceit, unworthy of any believer.  If we remember we are utterly dependent on the goodness of God that drew us to Him, all such notions will disappear.

Dedication  8v16-22  Engagement in service of such honour and magnitude should be wholehearted.  the language of the verses promotes this thought; "they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel"-v16; "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons, from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children in the tabernacle of the congregation".  The Levites were wholly occupied with the service of the Lord to make atonement for them, and to avoid any plague upon them due to their causing displeasure to God.  They did not offer any sacrifices (that was the work of the priests) but they maintained purity in the camp in an advisory capacity.  There were over 22,000 of them, so the people knew they were there!  Those who keep a watch over God's people do a great service and prevent so much chastening.  There is no place for half heartedness in the service of God.

Limitation  The Levites commenced a five year apprenticeship for the task of Levitical service.  From 30 years old they commenced the work full time, but were expected to retire at 50.  This was due to the physical nature of the work, and God took account of their declining powers.  On retirement, according to the narrative they were expected to pass responsibility to younger men.  There is no corresponding New Testament equivalent, except those in service should recognise their limitations and encourage responsibility of the younger.