06/11/2016 - TAKING CARE OF THE LEVITES

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Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.  Deuteronomy 12.19

In the Old Testament, the Levites were responsible for the transport, the assembly and other activities of the Tabernacle and afterwards, the temple. They were not only responsible for singing and praising God, but were also like today’s workers at church. Nowadays, there are no more priests sacrificing animals or Levites like those of the past. In the Gospel, everything is new.

If we do not have the Jewish rituals or the high priest and those that served in priesthood, why should we need to have Levites or other Jewish customs? However, in many people’s minds, there is the need for such a ministry that entitles these people. There is only one record in Jesus’ ministry when people actually sung a hymn. This happened when they left to the Mount of Olives (Mt 26.30), but nothing more was said of Levites.

The Levites of the past did not have an inheritance. The tribe of Levi was not counted when the land was distributed, but it received a greater compensation from the members of other tribes. Nowadays, in church, in a general way, musicians or singers call themselves Levites. It may even be similar, but it is not the same thing as in the past, for the Levites also had other roles in the House of God. Today we only have the Lord’s workers.

Aaron and his children were Levites – descendants of Levi – and were set to be priests forever. However, not every descendent of Levi was supposed to be a priest, but one of their assistants (Nm 3.6). If anyone who was not of this tribe tried to be part of it, they would die. As we have already seen, we have nothing to do with the customs and rules of the Old Covenant; the rules of the New Covenant are what prevail today.

The norm for recent times is not to despise those who minister the Word of God and those who assist them in fulfilling this sacred duty. The evangelical “Levites” cannot be compared to the old servants of God. May the new “Levites” be respected as workers and have their needs met. 

Not all the Levites of the past were musicians; some were guards, bakers, gatekeepers, etc. The new “Levites” need to fulfill their mission in fear and holiness, because God is holy, and whoever is not in those conditions will not stand beside Him. David belonged to the tribe of Judah and was a musician and singer. When Saul sought for a musician that played well to set him free, the young pastor was the chosen one.

Our lesson is that we are ministers and stewards of the blessings bought by Jesus to all humanity. It does not matter if the problem is the infirmity or the action of the evil spirit. The saved ones are called to do the same things as Christ did, serving with humility and wisdom, filled with the knowledge of the Father’s will.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares