Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry: To serve effectively, set yourself apart as a priest by pursuing ongoing cleansing—not just from sin but for ministry—through washing in God’s Word, prayer, praise, and practical preparation. Numbers 8:1-8 details steps such as purification, renewing garments, and consecration, teaching that deeper responsibility before God requires greater separation and personal readiness to minister at His altar, so every believer can reflect Christ’s transforming work.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
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Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Revelation 1:5-6, Numbers 8:1-2, Numbers 8:3-4, Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20, Matthew 5:14, Numbers 8:5, Numbers 8:6, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 17:18, Numbers 8:7, Numbers 8:8, Deuteronomy 21:12,
Kings and Priests: Our Identity
Revelation 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Washed from Sin
We are washed from our sins. This is what Scripture shows us. John, and also 1 John, speak about this same truth. Sin is still present in the world. We could always choose to revisit it. Everyone knows this is possible, even if we try to ignore it. But Christ has already washed us clean. We don’t have to return to sin. The only reason anyone does is because they choose to.
Jesus washed us from our sins in His blood. In doing so, He made us kings and priests unto God. Some translations, like the NASB, render this as “a kingdom of priests.” The King James says “kings and priests.” Either way, the truth is the same. Christ has made us a kingdom of priests who serve before God.
Exodus 19:6
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Called to Minister at the Altar
What does it mean to be priests? The role of priests in Scripture was to serve and minister at the altar. Numbers chapter eight shows the ordination of the Levites for this very purpose. Their calling was to minister before God in service. That is what priests do. So, if we are called to be a kingdom of priests, our duty is also to minister at the altar of God.
But do all Christians live this out? Not always. Many do not serve in the way they were called to serve. Some remain far off from the presence of God, even though Christ has invited them near. They may be priests in name, but they have not entered fully into their calling.
This truth is seen in practice. For example, in a recent service, people were asked to kneel during prayer. It was harder to notice who was being ministered to and who was left alone. Still, at least two individuals spent a long time without anyone praying with them. Meanwhile, others had several people supporting them. This should not be so. It is painful to see some receive great prayer support while others are left unattended.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Today, we are starting on page 158 of your notes. Page 157 was already covered, and you’ve been given the missing page from last time. My notes go up to page 164. However, as we delve deeper into this topic, I would like the other available elders to join us, especially for this critical discussion.
Leadership Ordination: Principles in Numbers 8
For a long time, I sought a clear outline or guideline in Scripture for conducting an ordination service. I used to think there wasn’t one, so we would just do what seemed best. I recently saw that Numbers chapter 8 gives at least seven specific steps to follow for an ordination service. That is what we will study next.
The Lord Speaks to Moses
Numbers 8:5
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
On page 158, we read from the book of Numbers, chapter 8. Like many other parts of Numbers, it begins with the phrase, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying.” This is a common phrase. It appears over sixty times in the book of Numbers. We first examined it at the beginning of the notes, where I devoted several pages to it. So I won’t go into great detail again here.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
The critical truth is that our God speaks. He spoke to Moses, and He continues to speak today. I remember when Joe Moorcraft visited. He remarked that it must be amazing to hear the voice of God. My response was that Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.”
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The Greek word translated as “word” there is rhema, which means the spoken word. Faith comes alive when you believe God Himself has spoken to you. If you truly believe God has instructed you to do something, you will do it. That is genuine faith.
Our God is a talking God. He has spoken from Genesis to Revelation, and He continues to speak today. He will continue to speak from the time you wake in the morning until you go to bed at night.
Numbers 8:1-2
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto Aaron and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
The chapter begins with the familiar phrase, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying.” In verse two, God instructs Moses to speak to Aaron. The command was that when Aaron lights the lamps, the seven lamps were to shine light in front of the candlestick.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
There is also a deeper aspect to this. Each of these lamps represented the sevenfold Spirit of God. We discussed this last Sunday night in our home church when Nancy asked about it. As I studied this passage again, I noticed something I had not seen before.
Different translations help bring it out. The NASB says, “When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in front of the lampstand.” The NIV says, “When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.” Each shows that the lamps were meant to shine forward and illuminate what was before them.
Numbers 8:2-4
2 Speak unto Aaron and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
The Purpose of the Candle Stand
NLT – Numbers 8:2
2 “Give Aaron the following instructions: When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.”
The purpose of the lampstand was to give light in front of it. I had never noticed that before. Aaron, as the priest, was responsible for keeping the fire. Back on page 59 of our notes, we studied how Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire. That happened because Aaron had passed his responsibility to his sons. When we neglect our responsibilities, others suffer as a result.
What stood out to me here is that the lampstand was designed to shine forward. I’ve never seen a drawing that pictured it this way, but it sounds as if something behind the flame caused the light to project outward. It was never about shining in all directions but sending light ahead.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
The King James Bible refers to it as a candlestick, but that is misleading. It was not made of wax with a wick like we think of today. It was a lamp drawing oil to the flame, and the light was always produced by fire. In Scripture, fire and light are tied together. The lampstand was designed to project that fire-born light forward.
The Lampstand: Church and Light
So what is the lampstand? To understand this, we turn to Revelation 1:12. There we see that the lampstand represents the church. The church, like the lampstand, is called to project light forward into the world.
Revelation 1:12
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Revelation 1-12 says, and I turned to see the voice that spake to me, and being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, or lamp stands.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Revelation 1:20
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
A Lampstand Church
The lampstand does not represent just any church. These lampstands were unique because Jesus was walking in the midst of them. So a true lampstand church is one that is on fire, giving light forward, and marked by the presence of Jesus.
The lampstand’s flame is a picture of the Holy Spirit. At the end of each arm was a wick, which carried the oil and produced fire. This speaks of a vessel—the life of a believer—through which the Spirit flows. The flame points to God’s Word and Spirit together as light that goes before us, as Psalm 119 says: God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Word and Spirit Together
A church that Jesus walks among is one that has both the Spirit and the Word of God. Acts chapter 8 helps explain this. If a church has only the Word, there is no flow of the Spirit. If it has only the Spirit, there may be excitement, but no growth or grounding in truth. Proper balance comes from both—the Word of God giving foundation and the Spirit of God giving life.
Acts 8 clearly illustrates this in Samaria. Philip preached, and the people received the Word, but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John arrived, they laid hands on the believers, and they received the Spirit with evidence. This shows the difference between having only the Word and having both the Word and the Spirit. A lampstand church is one where both are present.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Where the Spirit of God is present, supernatural manifestations will follow. These can include the gift of tongues and other spiritual gifts. A true lampstand church, the kind Jesus walks in the midst of, is a church that has both the Word and the Spirit. It is comprised of people who are on fire for God. The Holy Spirit flows through them like oil feeding a flame, producing a burning light for the world to see.
This raises important questions for us. Is our church a lampstand church? Do we carry both the Word and the Spirit? Are our lives burning with the fire of God and projecting His light forward? Are we moving forward in Him, or do we lack that flow and fire?
The Role of Spiritual Leaders
A lampstand church should be a leadership church. It should set an example in the city and provide spiritual direction. It should be full of leaders who shine the light of Christ, not followers who merely blend into the world. The question is—do we see such a church in our city or in our area? And more importantly, are we becoming that kind of church ourselves?
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Matthew 5:14
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
A church that grows and develops into a true lampstand church will become a light to its city. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill.” A lampstand church should be a front-runner in the city, leading with people whose lives are filled with the Spirit of God and burning with His fire. Just like the seven lamps on the lampstand came together to give one great light, so the lives in the church should shine together as one.
Isaiah 11 gives a picture of this light. At first glance, it looks like there are six spirits of God mentioned. But when we count carefully, we see the Spirit of the Lord and then six descriptions of Him, making seven in all. In the same way, the seven lamps merged into one unified light. We as believers form that same light together.
The central question is: where is the light shining? The answer is that it shines in front, not behind. God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. That means the light always leads us forward. We are constantly moving, always growing, and always changing in Him. If we ever stop moving forward, it means we have stopped growing.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
This truth about the lamp shining forward is powerful. I had never noticed it before, but it shows us that God’s light is always meant to guide us toward what lies ahead. I hope the Holy Spirit reminds me of this every time I think and study about the lampstand.
The question we must ask is this: Are we a lampstand church? Do we truly desire both the Spirit of God to move and the Word of God to come alive among us? Are we becoming leaders in our city, shining as a light to our community?
I believe our church is very receptive. We welcome both the Word and the Spirit. We are also willing to change quickly when God leads. However, we are not yet in the leadership position that I desire for us to be.
My vision is that our church will be recognized as a leader in this city and this region. I want it to be the kind of place people look to for guidance before making important decisions. I believe that one day this will happen, because we are becoming a true lampstand church.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Separation for Leadership
Numbers 8:6
6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
In this passage, the Lord instructs Moses to select the Levites from among Israel and cleanse them. At first, this chapter seemed low-key and challenging to grasp. But as I studied it further, the Lord opened my understanding, and I began to see essential truths.
The section under “And thus shalt thou do unto them” in your notes introduces us to the setting of leadership. Numbers 8 deals with the ordination of leaders, specifically the Levites. For a long time, I said I didn’t know where Scripture gave a pattern for an ordination service. Now I see that this chapter contains exactly what I was looking for.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Numbers 8 lays out clear principles for ordaining leaders. This is vital because our goal is to move forward—to cross the Jordan and enter into God’s promises. But before we can move, certain principles must be settled in us. The setting of leadership is one of them.
The remainder of this chapter describes how God instructed the people to carry out the ordination of the Levites. From this, I have found at least seven aspects of leadership ordination. We will begin to study them this week and continue next week. These truths will shape how we conduct ordination services. They are the Word of the Lord, quickened to us by His Spirit, and they will guide us in setting leaders in God’s way.
The first principle in Numbers 8 is this: “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel.” Not everyone was a Levite, and not everyone had the same responsibility in God’s kingdom. There were thirteen tribes in Israel. Twelve tribes were set apart as warriors, forming the army of God. One tribe, the Levites, was separated to minister to God and to the people. This tribe was distinct, called to serve as priests.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
On page 160, the chart shows three layers. The outer circle represents the nation of Israel, comprising all thirteen tribes. Inside that circle is the tribe of Levi, made up of the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, the sons of Levi. Inside that circle were the priests, Aaron and his sons. Not every Israelite was a priest, nor was every Levite a priest. God was separating and drawing closer those He called into service.
The closer one came to the center, the greater the cleansing required. Every Israelite male was required to be circumcised on the eighth day. That applied to all. But for the Levites, there was a deeper cleansing process. And for the priests, there was still more. Exodus 29 describes how Moses would wash the priests completely, prepare their garments, and mark them with blood on the ear, thumb, and toe. These levels of cleansing were not required of the whole nation, only of those called into deeper service.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Moving Closer to God
This shows us a pattern. The further in we move toward the center of God’s call, the greater the separation and cleansing He requires. The Levites were being set apart for ministry, and their consecration demanded more from them than from the rest of Israel.
Living as Priests and Ministers
The main point here is simple: you and I are called to be priests unto God. And what do priests do? They minister at the altar. That is our calling. Many of you already live this out. You pray for others easily, and you minister to people without hesitation. This is what God has called us to do—to step into His presence and serve.
Yet, some still choose to camp far away. They are called to be priests but stay on the outer edges. God, however, has invited us closer. He wants us in the inner place, ministering before His altar. That is the heart of this passage.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
So why were the Levites chosen? Why not Judah, Benjamin, or Dan? The answer is that this was God’s will and His order. He decided which tribe would minister as priests. It was not about human preference or ability. It was His divine choice.
The same truth applies today. Why is one person called to be a pastor and another is not? It is the calling of God. Just as in the Old Testament, not everyone was a Levite, although all were part of Israel; similarly, in both the Old and New Testaments, we see the same principle: God calls His people to be a kingdom of priests unto Him. Some step in fully, others hold back, but the calling remains for all of us.
In Deuteronomy, God called all of Israel to be a kingdom of priests unto Him. Yet, within the nation, He chose the Levites for exceptional service. This shows a separation. Some are called into deeper responsibility while others remain at a distance. God desires all His people to draw near, but many still choose to stay far off.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Those who step closer to God experience a deeper cleansing. The Levites were cleansed in a manner that differed from the rest of Israel. And even within the Levites, Aaron and his sons went through an even greater level of cleansing. The principle is clear: the more we yield our lives to God and the more responsibility He gives, the more cleansing He requires of us.
Scripture says Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests. Our role is to minister at the altar. But not all do this. Too often, some camp far away while a few minister. It is heartbreaking to see people at the altar needing prayer and yet not enough stepping forward to serve. At times, it feels like we must push God’s people to pray when it should come freely.
The Call to Serve
Currently, in the church, some are camped afar, some serve as helpers, and a few press beyond the veil, offering their lives fully to God. But what the Lord desires most is priests—people who will step into His presence and minister at His altar.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
I am not correcting you personally, because many of you are already faithful in serving. However, the vision I want us to grasp is that we must draw others deeper into our community. We need to encourage those who are still standing far back to enter into the calling of God.
For example, during the fun day, around twenty or thirty people helped. Yet there could have been 150. The turnout shows the same pattern—we have a faithful few carrying the work while many others remain distant. The truth is, it should not all fall on the shoulders of a few. Everyone should be willing to serve.
The same happens in worship. On Sundays, everyone is present, but not everyone truly steps in. Some camps are too far away. We see people at the altars who are left without ministry because not enough people step forward to pray. That is a sad reality, and it shows that we need more people to walk in their role as priests.
So, principle one is to understand that the Levites were separated for this cleansing. God calls certain people for deeper service, and not everyone will enter into that place.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Numbers 8:6
6 “Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel and cleanse them.
The second principle is cleansing. Verse eight indicates that those called to ministry must undergo a deeper cleansing. All Israel was circumcised, but the Levites had to go further. In Exodus 29, priests were required to undergo even deeper washing and preparation. The closer the calling, the greater the cleansing.
Numbers 8:7
7 “Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: {sprinkle} purifying water on them, and let them use a
razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.
Numbers 8 says the Levites were to be cleansed by sprinkling water of purification, shaving their flesh, and washing their clothes. Notice that they were told to wash their own clothes and make themselves clean. This shows an important principle.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Cleansing for Ministry
There is nothing we can do to earn the blood of Jesus. Salvation is a gift of God. But this passage is not about cleansing from sin. It is about cleansing to minister. That is very different. To minister, we prepare ourselves. We wash our minds with the Word. We put on garments of prayer, praise, and holiness.
When Moses sprinkled the Levites with water, it was only part of the process. In the same way, listening to a sermon can refresh you for a moment, but it will not carry you far if you never wash yourself in the Word. Actual cleansing for ministry comes when we daily go before God, wash in His Word, and prepare ourselves for service.
The ministry also requires continual cleansing due to the things we encounter. When we listen to people share their struggles and sins, it can weigh us down or affect how we think about them. This is why we must regularly wash our hearts and minds in the Word of God. Only then can we serve people without carrying their burdens in the wrong way.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Cleansing for ministry is a choice and a responsibility. If we are called to minister at the altar, we must keep ourselves continually washed and ready.
I must keep myself clean. I got to go to the lavor bowl and wash myself. Also, I must put on garments of prayer and garments of praise. There’s an impartation that happens when you minister to people. They minister their sin to you.
Numbers 8:8
8 Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
Offerings and Cleansing
When the Levites came for ordination, they brought two bullocks. One was for the meal offering, also called the fellowship offering. Part of it was burned on the altar, and the rest was cooked and eaten in a feast. This represented fellowship with God and with one another. But they also brought a sin offering.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
The sin offering was treated differently. The people laid hands on the animal, confessed their sins, and those sins were transferred to the sacrifice. The animal was then taken outside the camp, killed, and burned. This was a clear picture of Jesus Christ, who bore our sins outside the camp on the cross.
This also has a lesson for the ministry. When people confess their struggles and sins to us, it is like they are placing them on us. Counselors, pastors, and ministers carry those burdens. Our job is to take them to God, just as the sin offering was taken outside the camp to be consumed on the wood. That is why those who minister must be cleansed and ready.
A simple sprinkling is not enough. It is not enough to only receive on Sundays or Wednesdays. Ministers must daily wash themselves in the Word and put on the right garments. These are garments of praise, prayer, holiness, and the attitudes of Christ. For a Levite, cleansing is essential to serve at God’s altar.
The second principle of ordination is that the Levites had to be cleansed. And any minister of God must also live washed and clothed in purity before serving others.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Shaving: A Sign of Consecration
The third principle is shaving the flesh. For ordination, the Levites had to shave all the hair from their bodies. This represented clean flesh and a state of consecration. It was an outward act with deep spiritual meaning.
Shaving in Scripture often appears at moments of preparation, cleansing, or dedication. When Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison, he shaved before presenting himself to the king. It was a way of showing respect and readiness.
We also see this in the laws about lepers. When a leper was cleansed, part of the process was shaving the body. It symbolized the removal of disease and defilement. In the Nazirite vow of Numbers 6, shaving marked the end of a season of consecration and a new dedication to God.
So shaving represented seriousness, cleansing, and readiness to serve. For the Levites, it showed that they were set apart and wholly dedicated to God’s service at the altar.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Deuteronomy 21:12
12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
There is another example of shaving found in Deuteronomy 21:12. When a man went to war and desired to marry a foreign woman, she was required to shave her head and trim her nails before entering his house. This showed that shaving marked a time of change and transition.
In every instance where shaving is mentioned in Scripture, it represents a drastic change in appearance. The act showed that something new had begun, and the old was being put away. It was a visible sign of transformation.
This connects to our spiritual lives. In 1978, when I fully submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord, people saw such a difference in me that they did not believe it would last. It was as if I had been shaved—a total change in appearance. Although the outward signs eventually blended into daily life, the transformation was real and lasting.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Many of you have experienced the same thing. When someone truly surrenders to Christ, a visible difference is evident. People notice it immediately. The same is true when a person steps into ministry. There is a shaving, a consecration, and a transformation that makes a noticeable change in the way others see you.
Over time, hair grows back, and people begin to see you as usual again. But there is always that first moment of shaved flesh, when real cleansing and change become clear. It marks a turning point where the flesh is dealt with, and things are made new.
So far, we have covered the first three principles of ordination from Numbers 8. These will be incorporated into our future ordination services for leadership. First, the Levites were separated. Second, they were cleansed and washed. Third, they shaved their flesh, revealing a noticeable change in appearance and quality of life. These truths still apply today. Not everyone is a Levite, but those who serve must be clean, washed, and show evidence of transformation.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
There are still four more principles to study, and we will return to them next week. I will also recap these first three so others can hear how important they are. When we minister, these principles protect us. If we do not stay cleansed, we risk being defiled by the same things that burden the people we try to help.
That is why we must stay washed in the Word and clothed in clean garments. Ministry requires cleansing, so that when we serve, we do not carry the defilement of sin ourselves but remain vessels ready for God’s work.
A simple sprinkling will not be enough for ministry. You have to keep washing, over and over. Your garments must be washed, cleaned, and put back on continually. Ministry is heavy at times, and it requires constant cleansing.
We all know it is a fight to keep our lives in order. It takes effort to deal with the burdens we carry and to remove anything that weighs us down. We must stay washed in the Word and walk in purity if we are going to serve.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Final Thoughts and Prayer
Let us lift our hands to God. Father, we thank You for Your Word. We ask You to help us live as a lampstand church, cleansed, shining, and filled with Your Spirit.
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
Book Of Numbers 8:1-8 How to Cleanse Yourself for Ministry
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