Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 18:28 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is full of instruction, history, and practical guidance for living a righteous life. One of the key themes that runs throughout Scripture is the importance of offering our best to God. In the Book of Numbers, God gives specific instructions to the Israelites regarding their duties, responsibilities, and the ways they are to worship Him. These teachings are not just historical or cultural practices; they are spiritual principles that hold great significance for us today.
Numbers 18:28 is part of God’s instructions to the Levites and the priesthood regarding their responsibilities and the way they are to handle the tithes and offerings from the people of Israel. This verse offers deep spiritual meaning and important life applications that continue to be relevant for Christians today. In this article, we will explore the context, meaning, and application of Numbers 18:28 in the Christian life.
The Context of Numbers 18:28 KJV
Overview of the Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book in the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). Written by Moses, the book covers a period of time in which the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land. The name “Numbers” comes from the censuses (counting of the people) recorded in the first few chapters of the book.
The book includes laws, instructions, and events that took place during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. Much of it focuses on the organization of the people, the duties of the priests and Levites, and the ways in which God wanted His people to worship Him and live according to His commandments.
The Role of the Levites
Numbers 18 specifically addresses the duties and responsibilities of the Levites, the tribe of Israel set apart for the service of the tabernacle (and later, the temple). God had ordained that the Levites would serve as priests, caretakers of the sanctuary, and teachers of God’s law. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive land as an inheritance. Instead, they were supported by the tithes and offerings from the other tribes of Israel.
The Levites were given the responsibility to oversee the sacred duties in the tabernacle, including sacrifices and offerings, and to ensure the worship of God was carried out properly. God established a system of tithes, where the people of Israel were required to give a tenth of their income and produce to support the Levites and their work in the tabernacle.
In Numbers 18:28, the Lord speaks to the Levites about their duty to offer a portion of what they received as tithes back to God, demonstrating that everything they received ultimately belonged to Him.
Numbers 18:28 (KJV)
Numbers 18:28 (KJV) says:
“Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the Lord’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.”
This verse gives specific instructions to the Levites on how they are to handle the tithes they receive. Let’s break this verse down to understand what it means in detail.
Numbers 18:28 Meaning
1. The Duty of the Levites to Offer a Portion to the Lord
In Numbers 18:28, God commands the Levites to offer a heave offering of all the tithes they receive. A heave offering refers to the act of lifting the offering before God as a sign of consecration and dedication. The offering was “heaved” or lifted up as an act of worship and acknowledgment that the gift, even though given to the Levites for their service, was ultimately a gift to God.
This requirement was a reminder that everything the Levites received—whether in the form of food, livestock, or other offerings—belonged to God. By giving a portion back to the Lord, the Levites were acknowledging God’s provision and dedicating what they had received to His service.
The heave offering was not just a financial transaction but a symbolic act of consecration. The Levites, in giving this offering, were reaffirming their role as God’s servants and were reminded that all they had was a gift from Him, intended to be used for His glory.
2. The Role of Aaron the Priest
In the second part of the verse, God instructs the Levites to give a portion of the heave offering to Aaron the priest. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest and the leader of the priestly line. The priests, who descended from Aaron, were responsible for performing the most sacred duties in the tabernacle, including offering sacrifices and interceding for the people of Israel.
The Levites, though they were set apart for service in the tabernacle, were not all priests. The priests were a specific group within the Levites who had the direct responsibility of leading the worship and sacrifices. By instructing the Levites to give a portion of their offerings to Aaron, God established a system of accountability and honor. The priests, as spiritual leaders, received a portion of the offering to support their ministry and their role in overseeing the sacred duties.
3. A Sign of Dedication to God’s Service
The command for the Levites to offer a heave offering to God highlights the overarching principle of dedication. The Levites’ entire existence was to be dedicated to the service of God and His people. Their offering back to God was not only a financial or material transaction; it was an expression of their wholehearted commitment to God’s service. By offering a portion of the tithes to God and His priests, the Levites acknowledged their own consecration and dependence on God.
This act of dedication also serves as a reminder to us today: all that we have is a gift from God, and we are called to dedicate everything—our time, talents, resources, and lives—to Him.
Numbers 18:28 Application in Life
1. Giving Back to God What He Has Given Us
Though the specific practice of tithing to the Levites is not directly applicable to Christians today, the principle of giving back to God is still very much relevant. In the New Testament, Christians are encouraged to give generously to support the work of the church, just as the Israelites were instructed to give to support the Levites. We may not give to Levites and priests in the same way, but we are still called to give our resources to God’s work through the church, ministries, and outreach.
The principle of offering a portion of what we have to God as a heave offering teaches us that everything we have belongs to Him. Whether it’s our finances, our skills, or our time, we are called to use everything we have in service to God. Just as the Levites gave a portion back to God, we are also called to give to support God’s work on earth.
2. Living a Life of Consecration and Dedication
Numbers 18:28 also reminds us of the importance of living a life of consecration and dedication. The Levites were set apart for sacred service, and in giving a portion of the tithes back to God, they reaffirmed their role as dedicated servants. In the same way, Christians are called to live lives that are dedicated to God’s service. This means putting God first in all areas of our lives—our relationships, our work, and our choices.
Consecration is not just about what we give but about the attitude of our hearts. When we offer our lives to God, we are acknowledging that He is our Lord, and everything we have belongs to Him.
3. Supporting the Ministry and Those Who Serve God
While the Levites were specifically responsible for serving in the tabernacle, the principle of supporting those who serve God still holds true today. In the church, ministers, pastors, and missionaries are called to dedicate their lives to the work of the gospel. As Christians, we are called to support them through our tithes, offerings, and prayers. This not only enables the work of the church to continue but also shows our appreciation for those who serve God’s people.
Supporting the ministry is an act of obedience and partnership in God’s kingdom work. Just as the Levites supported the priests through their offerings, we too support the work of the ministry by contributing to God’s work financially, as well as through our time and talents.
4. Acknowledging God’s Provision
Finally, Numbers 18:28 teaches us to acknowledge God’s provision. The Levites were reminded that their livelihood came from God, and they were to honor Him with the offerings they received. Today, Christians are called to recognize that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). When we offer back to God, we are acknowledging His faithfulness and provision in our lives.
We must guard against the temptation to take credit for what we have, remembering that everything we have is a gift from God. Our offering—whether in the form of money, time, or effort—is a way to give thanks for all that He has provided.
Conclusion
Numbers 18:28 may seem like a specific instruction for the Levites in the Old Testament, but its principles hold powerful lessons for Christians today. It teaches us to give back to God what He has given to us, to live lives of consecration and dedication, and to support the ministry and those who serve God. Most importantly, it reminds us to acknowledge God as the source of all that we have and to honor Him with our offerings.
As we apply these principles in our lives, we are reminded that everything we have belongs to God, and we are called to use all that we have in service to His kingdom. Through our acts of generosity, service, and worship, we participate in God’s work on earth and reflect His glory.
You Might Be Interested In: