The First Assignment

Scripture(s). Leviticus 25: 32-34

Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, [and] the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time. And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in [the year of] jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites [are] their possession among the children of Israel. But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it [is] their perpetual possession.

History:
The Chronicler, living about 400 B.C. gave much prominenance to the Levites and presented them as highly favored instruments of God. He portrayed them as the special keepers of the ark of the covenant who were the only ones allowed to carry it (I Chr 15:2). When the ark was to be moved, the Levites were called in for that special work. Later, chosen Levites were assigned the task of ministering before the sacred place (I Chr 16:4) and of lifting praises to God in public worship services. It was a far cry from the old days when menial tasks characterized their assignments (Wycliffe, 1975)

Gradually the more specialized duties of teaching and exhorting were the more onerous duties. It became an honorable ministry with many delightful fringe benefits. It was a joy to serve before the holy sanctuary of the Lord.  In describing their peculiar fitness to minister before God it was said: "The Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in sanctifying themselves."(II Chr 29:34, RSV). Thus the descendents of Levi became the purveyors of culture and religion. The divine plan had been that the whole nation should be a "kingdom of priests" and hence a holy people. The priests and the Levites became the mediators of that sacred covenant (Wycliffe, 1975).

Commentary:
Through the sequence of time God orchestrated the redeemption of mankind back to Himself  as a holy people, set apart for the purpose of ministering to Him. From the beginning of time, God designed an avenue of redeemption for His people to be lead and be directed, by and for Him. The life of the Levite was invested in the people, and the land. They worked day and night in their position of servanthood to minister to God, and to bring the people of God into a place of worship.

Even though the Levites had special duties at the beginning of their assignment, over time they would be hand selected by God to be an avenue of worship and praise, to usher in the very presence of God; because they were obedient to their first assignment, and they were chosen. The Levites also taught the word of God to the people, so that the people would hear the word, and receive understanding and instruction from those chosen by God. The authority that God gave to the Levites and the Priests,was a blessing to them and to the people.

Reflection:
The life of the Lord Jesus Christ was invested in the people of God and the land, that was, and is owned by God. The plan of redeemption was the divine strategy orchestrated by God Himself.; to bring us into His very presence: to worship, praise and adore Him. The price of redeemption was the precious blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; the non-refundable record of payment that hit the ground. Let us not allow anyone to put us back into bondage by the words that they speak, or the things that they say. We have been redeemed, and there is nothing that God will not grant to us.We have been purchased with a price; for the purpose of serving our creator, and serving one another. Let us continue to worship Him with our whole hearts, and He will continually bless us with the abundant life.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Levites: 3881
1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah
a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service

and the houses: 1004
1) house
a) house, dwelling habitation
b) shelter or abode of animals
c) human bodies (fig.)
d) of Sheol
e) of abode of light and darkness
f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
a) those belonging to the same household
b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple

of the cities: 5892
1) excitement, anguish
a) of terror
2) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
a) city, town

of their possession: 272
1) possession, property
a) land
b) possession by inheritance

redeem: 1353
1) kindred, redemption, right of redemption, price of redemption
a) kin, kindred
b) redemption
c) right of redemption
d) price of redemption, redemption price

at any time:5769
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
a) ancient time, long time (of past)
b) (of future)
1) for ever, always
2) continuous existence, perpetual
3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

are their possession: 272
1) possession, property

a) land
b) possession by inheritance

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for `owlam (Strong's 5769)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 19 Feb 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=H5769&t=KJV
 
Higgins, S. (2010). The Non-Refundable Record of Payment. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing.
Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com
 
Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia. (1975). Levites, Vol 2. K-Z pg. 1030. Retrieved on February 19th, 2010. Moody Press, Chicago.