In the Bible, Levites are members of the tribe of Levi, designated by God to perform religious duties and rituals, including serving in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They are seen as helpers to the priests and caretakers of the sacred space, set apart for service in worship and community leadership.
Scripture
5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.
8 They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.
9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel.
10 And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”
11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
12 “Now behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine,”
13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.”
Meaning of Levites in the Bible
The Levites occupy a unique and significant role within the biblical narrative, primarily as mediators between God and the people of Israel. Established by God through the lineage of Levi, this tribe was specifically chosen for service in the sacred practices of worship. As noted in Numbers 3:12-13, God selected the Levites to take the place of the firstborn males of Israel, effectively making them a sanctified group dedicated to His service. Their responsibilities included assisting the priests, conducting rituals, and taking care of the Tabernacle, later transitioning to the Temple. This special calling underlines the Levites’ importance in maintaining worship and holiness among God’s people.
Beyond their immediate religious duties, the Levites symbolize a deeper theological meaning of service, purity, and community leadership. They functioned not just as religious officials but also as teachers and judges within the community, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:10, which emphasizes their role in the instruction of the Law. The Levites’ distinct calling reflects the broader biblical theme of consecration and the necessity of having dedicated leaders who guide the people in their relationship with God. Moreover, their role foreshadows the New Testament understanding of all believers being called to serve, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9, where believers are called “a royal priesthood,” suggesting that all followers are invited into a life of ministry and worship, paralleling the Levites’ ancient service. Thus, the Levites embody the principle of being set apart for a higher purpose, reminding the faithful of their collective responsibility to God and each other.
The Levites’ role extends beyond mere ceremonial functions; they embody the concept of spiritual stewardship within the community of Israel. This tribe was tasked with the safeguarding of the sacred items and rituals associated with worship, positioning them as guardians of the divine covenant. Their involvement in liturgical practices illustrated the necessity of ritual purity and devotion, establishing a framework through which the presence of God could dwell among the people. This guardianship hints at the importance of having designated individuals who could mediate divine encounters, stressing that worship is not merely a personal affair, but a communal one that requires guidance, education, and adherence to the laws set forth by God.
Moreover, the Levites serve as a representation of God’s provision for the people of Israel. In a practical sense, they did not receive an inheritance of land like the other tribes; instead, their sustenance came from the tithes and offerings given by the people. This arrangement underscores the idea that spiritual endeavors should be supported as a communal responsibility, linking the Levites directly with the fabric of Israelite society. The dependency on the support of the congregation emphasizes how important it is for the community to recognize and honor their leaders, ensuring the continuity of worship practices and adherence to God’s commandments. Thus, the legacy of the Levites is not just found in historical accounts but serves as a perpetual call to every generation, reminding them of their obligation to foster a culture of reverence, learning, and worship within their communities.
The Role of the Levites in Worship and Service
The Levites were designated as the tribe responsible for the religious duties and rituals within the Israelite community. Their primary role was to assist the priests in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, ensuring that worship was conducted according to divine instructions. This responsibility highlights the importance of dedicated service in spiritual matters, emphasizing that certain individuals are called to facilitate the relationship between God and His people.
Symbol of Holiness and Separation
The Levites were set apart from the other tribes of Israel, symbolizing a life dedicated to holiness and service. Their separation signifies the call for believers to live a life distinct from secular influences, embodying purity and commitment to God’s purposes. This concept of being “set apart” serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual integrity and the pursuit of a life that reflects divine values.
The Levites as a Model of Community Support
In addition to their religious functions, the Levites played a crucial role in the social structure of Israel by providing support and guidance to the community. They were often involved in teaching the Law and ensuring that the people understood their covenant with God. This aspect of their role underscores the importance of community leadership and the responsibility of individuals to nurture and educate others in their faith journey.
How to Embrace Spiritual Leadership in Christian Life
Embracing spiritual leadership in your Christian life is a beautiful journey that begins with a heart open to serving others and a commitment to deepening your relationship with God. Start by cultivating a daily practice of prayer and scripture reading, allowing His Word to guide your thoughts and actions. Remember, spiritual leadership is not about authority or position; it’s about humility and love. Look for opportunities to serve in your community, whether through volunteering at your church, mentoring younger believers, or simply being a listening ear for someone in need. Surround yourself with fellow Christians who inspire you and challenge you to grow, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from those who have walked this path before you. As you step into this role, let your actions reflect Christ’s love, and trust that He will equip you with the wisdom and strength to lead others toward Him.
Bible References to the Meaning of Levites:
Numbers 8:5-22: 5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.
8 Then let them take a bull from the herd and its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another bull from the herd for a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel.
10 And you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord.
12 And the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord to make atonement for the Levites.
13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to the Lord.
14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.
15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering.
16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself.
17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself.
18 But I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.”
20 Thus did Moses; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did.
21 Thus did the Levites. They purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Numbers 18:1-7: 1 So the Lord said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood.
2 And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony.
3 They shall keep guard over you and over the whole tent, but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar lest they, and you, die.
4 They shall join you and attend to the needs of the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, and no outsider shall come near you.
5 And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.
6 Behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the Lord, to do the service of the tent of meeting.
7 And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
Deuteronomy 10:8-9: 8 At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.
9 Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The Lord is his inheritance, as the Lord your God said to him.
Deuteronomy 18:1-8: 1 “The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the Lord’s food offerings as their inheritance.”
2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.
3 And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach.
4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him.
5 For the Lord your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the name of the Lord, him and his sons for all time.
6 “And if a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel, where he lives—and he may come when he desires—to the place that the Lord will choose,
7 then he may minister in the name of the Lord his God, like all his fellow Levites who stand to minister there before the Lord.
8 They shall have equal portions to eat, besides what comes from the sale of his patrimony.
1 Chronicles 23:1-32: 23 When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2 David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites.
3 The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men.
4 “Of these, 24,000 were to have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 were officers and judges,
5 and 4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.”
6 And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7 The sons of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei.
8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Ladan.
10 And the sons of Shimei were Jahath, Zina, and Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
11 Thus they were divided by lot, one as well as another, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar.
12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.
14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi.
15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.
16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.
17 The sons of Eliezer: Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18 But the sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.
19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.
21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22 Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters; their kinsmen, the sons of Kish, married them.
23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24 These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever.
26 So the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.”
27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward.
28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.
29 For both the sons of Aaron, the priests, and the Levites shall have a portion before the Lord in all the towns, the pasturelands of the cities.
30 And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening,
31 and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord.
32 Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 24:1-31: 1 The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests.
3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service.
4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar.
5 Thus they were divided by lot, one as well as the other, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among the sons of Eleazar and among the sons of Ithamar.
6 And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father’s house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14 The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15 The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez
16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
20 And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22 As for the Izharites: Shelomoth and his sons.
23 As for the rest of the sons of Kohath, their duties involved the care of the sanctuary: they were in charge of the bread of the Presence.
24 These had the sons of Levi: the sons of Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
25 The brother of Michah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
27 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron the priest in the service of the house of the Lord, to care for the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.
29 As for the Izharites: Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to external duties for Israel, as officers and judges.
30 The twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
31 These also, the head of each father’s house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites. The fathers’ houses of the chief as well as those of his younger brother.
2 Chronicles 29:1-36: 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.
3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.
4 He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east
5 And said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place.
6 For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs.
7 They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.
8 Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes.
9 For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger may turn away from us.
11 My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.
12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 And from the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and from the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 They gathered their brothers and consecrated themselves and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron.
17 They began to consecrate on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the Lord. Then for eight days they consecrated the house of the Lord, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.
18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils.
19 Moreover, all the utensils that King Ahaz discarded in his reign when he was faithless, we prepared and consecrated. And behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.”
20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the Lord.
22 So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests received the blood and threw it against the altar.
23 Then the goats for the sin offering were brought to the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them,
24 And the priests slaughtered them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel. For the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets.
26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel.
28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29 When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.
30 And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.
31 Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated yourselves to the Lord. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 The consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
34 But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished.
35 There were many burnt offerings. The fat of the peace offerings was also there, and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. Thus the service of the house of the Lord was restored.
36 And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had provided for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.
Nehemiah 12:1-26: 1 These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
3 and Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God.
4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah,
5 and of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
6 These were the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.
8 And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.
9 and Bakbukiah and Unni and their brothers stood opposite them in the service.
10 And Jeshua fathered Joiakim, Joiakim fathered Eliashib, Eliashib fathered Joiada,
11 and Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.
12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers’ houses: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
13 and certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph,
14 Of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni;
16 and of Iddo, Zechariah of Ginnethon.
17 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.
18 And the Levites in the days of Joiakim, Jeshua, and Johanan, and Jaddua were recorded heads of fathers’ houses; also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
19 And of Joiakim, the chiefs of the priests: Meraiah, of Jeremiah, Hananiah, of Ezra
20 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,
21 And of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22 As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, they were recorded heads of fathers’ houses; also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
23 And the sons of Levi, the heads of fathers’ houses, were written in the Book of the Chronicles until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
24 And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers who stood opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch by watch.
25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates.
26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
Ezekiel 44:10-16: 10 But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment.
11 They shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the temple and ministering in the temple. They shall slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before the people to minister to them.
12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn concerning them, declares the Lord God, that they shall bear their punishment.
13 And they shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my holy things and the things that are most holy, but they shall bear their shame and the abominations that they have committed.
14 Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the temple, to do all its service and all that is to be done in it.
15 But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me. And they shall stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood, declares the Lord God.
16 They shall enter my sanctuary, and they shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.