Text: Numbers 8:19; Ephesians 4:7-8
Title: Captured for Service

 
Refrain: This is how we have to see and think of ourselves.

 
We see in Numbers 8 that God selected the Levites from among the tribes of Israel to be His peculiar people.

 
What does God do with the Levites? We see that in Numbers 8:19. They are to do the work and make atonement for the Israelites. The Levites were substituted for every first male child in Israel. The first child from any Israelite was separated as a Levite to do the work of the Lord on behalf of the Israelites to benefit all Israelites. This is repeated in Numbers 18:2-6. They were saved to serve – to fulfill God’s purposes towards the Israelites.

 
Also, looking into the New Testament, the pattern was also repeated. This can be found in Ephesians 4:7-8. Here, Paul is quoting from Numbers 8 and Psalms 68 to make a point. The point is that, under the new testament, Jesus the Christ has captured us from satan, sin, and death. Through Christ death and resurrection, He also gave us back to the Church for His service.

 
Levites were chosen from among the 12 tribes of Israel. However, the believers were chosen and redeemed from among the human race. Grace has been given to us as apportioned by Christ. This grace is the power and enablement required to perform the work of Christ. This grace contains spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit.

 
God has captured us from among the rebellious human race and has poured us out as gifts for men. The Levites are pointers to you and me. However, the old covenant has passed away but the new covenant remains. In the new covenant, Jesus is the high priest and we serve under Him. This is how we have to see ourselves.

 
The Levitical service was a dignified service. However, the service under Jesus is dignified without limit. We have to see ourselves as saved to serve with dignity. Christ is already dignified. When we serve Him, we are to serve with dignity.

 
This is a humbling truth. We were once rebels but because of what Christ did for us, we have become gifts. We went from being rebels to being precious. This is really humbling. God saved us and blessed us. It is dignifying but humbling.

 
Let us always be thankful to the giver of the gifts. The giver of the gifts is Jesus the Christ. It is on us to be always grateful for what Jesus did.

 
This is how we have to see ourselves.