Cities Of Refuge: Refined By GraceSample

The Cities of Refuge were also set aside as places for the Levites to serve the people of God and the foreigners that lived among them, along with the manslayers who inhabited the cities. Since the forty-eight Levitical cities were spread all over the Land of Israel, they were in perfect position to be places where the people could gather together to hear the Word of God, deliver their tithes, and receive aid if they were counted as those who were in need of the tithe for the poor and the foreigners (Deut. 14:29). 

The Levites too were called out from among the rest of the tribes for service to the people of God. Not only were they given the weighty responsibility of preparing sin and peace offerings in the holy sanctuary, but they were tasked with upholding the Law and teaching it to the people as well. It was they who gathered tithes and offerings and they who distributed to the needy. They were set aside as servants to the Lord, to his people, and to his sanctuary.  They were also counted as judges, officers, gatekeepers, and musicians (1 Chron. 23:3-6). 

The people looked to the Levites to be examples of godly behavior, to be examples of pure worship, and to keep any false teachings in check. They were there to serve, not to lord over the people or to gather wealth for themselves. They were not even allowed to sell the land they’d been allotted, since, in essence, it was deemed Yahweh’s portion anyhow. And as we discussed yesterday many of the daily duties of the priesthood were less than desirable. It was messy, dirty, and difficult work at times. They were also technically the first spiritual shepherds in service to the Lord, which makes it all the more significant that Moses himself (of the priestly Kohen line) was an actual shepherd for forty years before the Exodus. They were there to guide, serve, and feed the (sometimes very strong-willed) sheep with all humility.

Our calling as priests is also one of humble service. There are many tasks which we are asked to do that are messy, complicated, and thankless but we are called to them nonetheless. I would imagine that slaughtering animals day in and day out was not only disgusting but also pretty monotonous. But if we take serious the call to serve God’s people in whatever way he has gifted us, then the blessings will be eternal in nature, even if the world, our fellow believers, or our own families never see the work and the benefits seem few and far between. And yet, in order to become more like our Savior, who came as the suffering servant ,lowered himself to wash the feet of his disciples, and laid down his own life for us, we must choose unconditional obedience in whatever tasks we are called to do. 

Each of us has been given strengths to offer up to the Lord for his glory. And, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:11-13, these callings are to be used to equip his people and to build up the body. Not all of us are teachers, or evangelists, not all of us are musicians, or administrators, but each of us is entrusted with unique talents that can and should be used for service to God and his people. And even more encouraging is that men like Paul who once were the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:11-13) were still allowed the privilege of serving the Lord Most High. What marvelous grace! 

QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION: 

In what ways do you serve the Lord and his people? What struggles do you have as you walk out those duties? What blessings have you seen in your life and the lives of others? 

What talents do you have that are not being utilized for kingdom work? What steps can you take to move toward obedience in that area?

Have you struggled with feelings of unworthiness to serve in some capacity? Spend some time today laying down those fears and doubts before the Lord and ask him to reveal an opportunity to serve in spite of your failings. And then look forward to what God will do with just that one small step of faith!