Out of the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was set apart to serve God (Ezra 6:18). All the eldest sons of Israel needed to be set apart for God, but God chose one tribe instead. This was the tribe of Levi (Num 3:11). Therefore, when God uses the tribe of Levi, it is equivalent to Him using all the tribes of Israel. When the people saw the Levites serving God, they should have regarded them like their eldest sons.

Like God directed, Moses presented sin offerings and burnt offerings for the Levites, who were set apart. The sin offering was so that their sins could be atoned, and the burnt offering showed their desire for devotion. But sacrifices for the Levites did not stop here. God placed the Levites before the priest and presented them as wave offerings (Num 8:13).

Unlike other sacrifices (where the offerings were burnt), the priest waved the wave offerings before God, and afterwards, took and used the offerings. When the Levites were offered as wave offerings, it meant that the Levites were given entirely to the priest. Therefore, God commanded Moses, “And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel” (Num 3:9). The Levites served God this way, and the specific method was by helping the priest.

In a Baptist church, the duty apart from pastor which is established by ordination is the deacon. The ordained deacon is set apart to serve God. There are unfortunate cases when people misunderstand this and assert, “I should serve God. Why should I serve man?” But the way to serve God is by helping the overseer. He was set up to shepherd the church, which was purchased by God’s own blood (Acts 20:28).