◄ Deuteronomy 10:8 ►
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 serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
Study Bible
At that time
This phrase refers to a specific moment in Israel's history, following the incident of the golden calf and Moses' intercession for the people. It marks a turning point where God reaffirms His covenant with Israel and establishes new directives for worship and service.

the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi
The Levites were chosen by God to serve in a special capacity, distinct from the other tribes of Israel. This setting apart is significant as it underscores the principle of divine election and service. The Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, emphasizing their unique role in spiritual matters.

to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD
The ark was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with His people. The Levites, specifically the Kohathites, were tasked with its transportation, highlighting the holiness and reverence required in handling sacred objects. This duty foreshadows the role of Christ as the ultimate mediator of God's presence.

to stand before the LORD to serve Him
This phrase indicates the Levites' role in ministering before God, which included duties in the tabernacle and later the temple. Their service was a continual reminder of the need for mediation between God and humanity, pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest.

and to pronounce blessings in His name
The Levites were responsible for blessing the people, a role that involved invoking God's favor and presence. This practice is rooted in the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26, which emphasizes God's grace and peace. It prefigures the blessings believers receive through Christ.

as they do to this day
This phrase indicates the continuity and enduring nature of the Levitical role at the time of writing. It underscores the faithfulness of God in maintaining His covenant and the ongoing need for dedicated service and worship, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eternal priesthood of Jesus.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel who sets apart the tribe of Levi for a special purpose.

2. The Tribe of Levi
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, chosen by God for priestly duties and service in the tabernacle.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel.

4. Ministering Before the LORD
The Levites were tasked with serving in the tabernacle, performing rituals, and maintaining the sacred space.

5. Pronouncing Blessings
The Levites were given the authority to bless the people in the name of the LORD, signifying their role as mediators between God and Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
God chooses whom He wills for His purposes. The Levites were set apart not because of their merit but by God's sovereign decision.

Service and Sacrifice
The Levites' role was one of service and sacrifice, reminding us of the call to serve God and others selflessly in our own lives.

Mediators of Blessing
As the Levites pronounced blessings, we too are called to be channels of God's blessing to those around us, speaking life and encouragement.

Holiness and Dedication
The Levites were set apart for holy purposes. We are called to live lives of holiness, dedicated to God's service in whatever capacity He calls us.

Continuity and Fulfillment
The Levitical priesthood points forward to the ultimate priesthood of Jesus Christ, who fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament system.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the selection of the Levites illustrate God's sovereignty in choosing individuals for His purposes?

2. In what ways can we serve God and others in our daily lives, following the example of the Levites' service?

3. How can we act as mediators of God's blessing in our communities today?

4. What does it mean to live a life set apart for God, and how can we pursue holiness in our current context?

5. How does the role of the Levites in the Old Testament connect to the New Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The Levites' loyalty during the golden calf incident, which led to their selection for priestly service.

Numbers 3
Details the duties and responsibilities of the Levites in the tabernacle.

1 Chronicles 23
Describes the organization and duties of the Levites during King David's reign.

Hebrews 7
Discusses the priesthood of Melchizedek and the transition to the priesthood of Christ, highlighting the temporary nature of the Levitical priesthood.

1 Peter 2
Speaks of the priesthood of all believers, drawing a parallel to the Levites' role in the Old Testament.
Sermons
Tokens of MercyJ. Orr Deuteronomy 10:1-12
The Separation of the Sons of LeviR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 10:6-9
ProgressD. Davies Deuteronomy 10:6-11
People
Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, Moses
Places
Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, Sinai
Topics
Agreement, Apart, Ark, Bear, Bless, Blessings, Carry, Covenant, Levi, Lord's, Marked, Minister, Pronounce, Separated, Serve, Service, Stand, Tribe
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 10:8

     5184   standing
     7306   ark of the covenant
     7390   Levites
     8223   dedication

Deuteronomy 10:8-9

     1350   covenant, with Israel's priests

Library
Election and Holiness
Now, this morning it may be that some of you will not approve of what I have to say. You will remember, however, that I do not seek your approbation, that it will be sufficient for me if I have cleared my conscience concerning a grand truth and have preached the gospel faithfully. I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. I am not afraid to stand before His bar with regard to the great doctrines which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration.
{hebrew} In every passage of Scripture where thou findest the Majesty of God, thou also findest close by His Condescension (Humility). So it is written down in the Law [Deut. x. 17, followed by verse 18], repeated in the Prophets [Is. lvii. 15], and reiterated in the Hagiographa [Ps. lxviii. 4, followed by verse 5].' - Megill 31 a. …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Parable of the Importunate Widow.
^C Luke XVIII. 1-8. ^c 1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man [an utterly abandoned character]: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of [rather, Do justice to me as to] mine adversary. [In Scripture language widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness (Ex. xxii. 22-24; Deut. x. 18; xxvii. 19; Mal. iii. 5; Mark xii. 40), …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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