1 Peter 2:1-14
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9
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Israel’s history reminds us that when God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt, He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, but spared the firstborn sons of Israel and claimed them as His own. They were to be set apart and devoted to the LORD for lifelong service.
However, the incident of the golden calf changed this arrangement. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai holding the two tablets of the law and saw the people worshipping the golden calf, he burned with anger, shattered the tablets, burned the calf, ground it into powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:19–20). Then Moses stood at the entrance of the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” (Exodus 32:26a). Scripture records, “And all the Levites gathered around him” (Exodus 32:26b). While the entire nation fell into idolatry, the sons of Levi responded to Moses’ call and chose to stand on the side of the LORD.
Because the tribe of Levi remained faithful during this great crisis and resisted temptation, God transferred the priestly responsibility—originally intended for Israel’s firstborn—to the Levites. They were set apart to devote themselves fully to the service of the LORD. Numbers chapters 3–4 show us that the core principles of serving God are order, holiness, and responsibility. In other words, service must be carried out according to God’s instructions, in holiness, and with each person fulfilling his appointed role.
Indeed, serving the LORD is a serious matter. First, God must be feared, and holy things must never be treated lightly. The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant and other most holy objects, yet they were not allowed to look at them or touch them, or they would die (Numbers 4:15, 20). Second, service was organized by clans and families. There was no room for chaos; everything followed strict order and discipline. Although there were different assignments, every role was service to God and required cooperation and unity.
In the Old Testament, the Levites served God on behalf of the whole nation of Israel, and Israel in turn represented all the nations of the earth as God’s people. In the New Testament, because of the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ, all who believe in Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord—whether Jew or Gentile—have the indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides and helps them to join in responding to God’s grace through lives of service.
We live very far removed from the Levites who served the LORD long ago. Yet we serve the same holy God. The apostle Peter writes:
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3)
We truly have tasted that the Lord is good. He has rescued us from the whirlpool of sin, brought us into the light, and allowed us to experience the many blessings of the gospel and the fullness found in Him. To serve before this same holy God means we are called to be holy and to live out our identity as God’s people.
God’s desire is that we put away all evil, long for spiritual nourishment, and pursue spiritual growth. God’s children are to be like living stones being built into a spiritual house, offering sacrifices pleasing to God, and proclaiming the excellencies of Jesus Christ through their good conduct. Ultimately, service begins with who we are. Only when we become people who delight God can the work of our hands truly glorify Him and bless others.
Reflection:
“Service begins with who we are: only when we become people who delight God can the work of our hands truly glorify Him and bless others.” Are there situations where neglecting holiness and failing to be continually transformed and renewed by the Lord have resulted in so-called ‘service’ that no longer builds up God’s house but instead causes harm?
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You for showing us through the book of Numbers that serving You is a serious matter and must never be taken lightly. Thank You for Your patience and grace toward us. Help us to obey Your will: by Your power, remove everything in our lives that does not please You, pursue holiness, and offer You a life and service that delights You, as we build Your house together. We pray in the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Click to read passage
Israel’s history reminds us that when God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt, He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, but spared the firstborn sons of Israel and claimed them as His own. They were to be set apart and devoted to the LORD for lifelong service.
However, the incident of the golden calf changed this arrangement. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai holding the two tablets of the law and saw the people worshipping the golden calf, he burned with anger, shattered the tablets, burned the calf, ground it into powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:19–20). Then Moses stood at the entrance of the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” (Exodus 32:26a). Scripture records, “And all the Levites gathered around him” (Exodus 32:26b). While the entire nation fell into idolatry, the sons of Levi responded to Moses’ call and chose to stand on the side of the LORD.
Because the tribe of Levi remained faithful during this great crisis and resisted temptation, God transferred the priestly responsibility—originally intended for Israel’s firstborn—to the Levites. They were set apart to devote themselves fully to the service of the LORD. Numbers chapters 3–4 show us that the core principles of serving God are order, holiness, and responsibility. In other words, service must be carried out according to God’s instructions, in holiness, and with each person fulfilling his appointed role.
Indeed, serving the LORD is a serious matter. First, God must be feared, and holy things must never be treated lightly. The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant and other most holy objects, yet they were not allowed to look at them or touch them, or they would die (Numbers 4:15, 20). Second, service was organized by clans and families. There was no room for chaos; everything followed strict order and discipline. Although there were different assignments, every role was service to God and required cooperation and unity.
In the Old Testament, the Levites served God on behalf of the whole nation of Israel, and Israel in turn represented all the nations of the earth as God’s people. In the New Testament, because of the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ, all who believe in Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord—whether Jew or Gentile—have the indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides and helps them to join in responding to God’s grace through lives of service.
We live very far removed from the Levites who served the LORD long ago. Yet we serve the same holy God. The apostle Peter writes:
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3)
We truly have tasted that the Lord is good. He has rescued us from the whirlpool of sin, brought us into the light, and allowed us to experience the many blessings of the gospel and the fullness found in Him. To serve before this same holy God means we are called to be holy and to live out our identity as God’s people.
God’s desire is that we put away all evil, long for spiritual nourishment, and pursue spiritual growth. God’s children are to be like living stones being built into a spiritual house, offering sacrifices pleasing to God, and proclaiming the excellencies of Jesus Christ through their good conduct. Ultimately, service begins with who we are. Only when we become people who delight God can the work of our hands truly glorify Him and bless others.
Reflection:
“Service begins with who we are: only when we become people who delight God can the work of our hands truly glorify Him and bless others.” Are there situations where neglecting holiness and failing to be continually transformed and renewed by the Lord have resulted in so-called ‘service’ that no longer builds up God’s house but instead causes harm?
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You for showing us through the book of Numbers that serving You is a serious matter and must never be taken lightly. Thank You for Your patience and grace toward us. Help us to obey Your will: by Your power, remove everything in our lives that does not please You, pursue holiness, and offer You a life and service that delights You, as we build Your house together. We pray in the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.