View source for Template:Levites

[[File:Levites.jpg|300px|right|thumb|When the people began to return to the paganism and the ways of the [[Golden calf]] [[Moses]] "[[called out]]" the [[faithful]]. The [[Levites]] answered that call. They would belonged to God,<Ref name="levitemine">{{levitemine}}</Ref> and were [[appoint]]ed to be the [[Church in the wilderness]]. They would be given the "[[kidney]]s" of the [[sacrifice]]s which means they were freely given control of the [[burnt offering]]s of the people. They were the [[Lively Stones of a Living Altar]] which composed a system of [[altars]] of the un[[hewn]] [[stones]] in a [[social safety net]] of [[fervent charity]] and [[hope]] by [[faith]] in [[the way]] and [[righteousness]] of God which kept the people free.]]

== Levites ==

The [[Kingdom of God]] has always been from ''generation to generation''. In the Kingdom called Israel, God through [[Moses]] ''[[called out]]'' and set aside a certain group of people who were called ''[[Levites]]''.<Ref>[[Numbers 3]]:12-13 “And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn [are] mine; [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I [am] the LORD.” </Ref> They were the ''first born'' of the nations<Ref>Numbers 3:45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I [am] the LORD.” </Ref> and they mostly came from the tribe of Levi. 

This took place when the people were ''[[called out]]'' of the [[Walled camp| walled-in camp]] of the [[Golden calf]] by [[Moses]], and most of those who came out were from one tribe. These people who came out first were separated<Ref>[[Numbers 8]]:14 “Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.”</Ref> from the main body of the nation in several ways, and for particular purposes.<Ref>[[Numbers 18]]:23 “But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have [[No inheritance|no inheritance]].” </Ref> 

By Jewish tradition, a Levite was a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, which became a unique part of  a ''political structure'' with some limited ''"corporate elements"''<Ref>A [[Corporation]] is "a company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law."</Ref> not seen in the rest of the government of Israel but used in the formation of a national community and society.

=== Separate ===

[[File:jesusmounts.jpg|300px|right|thumb|When Jesus told his disciples "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." [[Luke 14]]:33   the word hath meant their ''property''.<Ref>{{5224}} </Ref>
: '''Both the early [[Church]] and the [[Levites]]''' owned property but they held it in common<Ref>[[Acts 2]]:44  And all that believed were together, and had [[all things common]];
: [[Acts 4]]:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had [[all things common]].</Ref> as join heirs<Ref>[[Romans 8]]:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together."</Ref> because the ordained ministers of the Church or "[[Ekklesia|called out]]" and the "[[Ekklesia|called out]]" of Moses were to belong to God and serve the people who depended on charity rather than force to provide the [[Welfare|welfare]] or [[Pure Religion]] of God.
:  The [[Church legally defined|Legal definition of the Church]] was also a group of people called out to serve with ''"corporate elements"''. They were the corpus of Christ, appointed by Him, for His purposes and in one accord. That body of ministers ''holding all things in common'' were called out and gathered to serve the society in [[Free Assemblies]].]]

As a society<Ref>"[[Society]].  An association or company of persons (generally unincorporated) united together by mutual consent, in order to deliberate, determine, and act jointly for some common purpose.  In a wider sense, the community or public; the people in general...</Ref> the [[Levites]] were separate from the people of the nation of Israel. Because they were ''[[called out]]'' to serve the people in congregations of [[Tens]] together they formed a whole nation.

[[File:deacon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"[[Bishop]]s, presbyters([[Elder]]) and [[deacon]]s occupy in the [[church]] the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the [[Levites]] in the temple." Jerome, Ep. 146. Both the [[Levites]] and the [[early Church]] appointed by Christ were "[[Ekklesia|called out]]" to be a [[peculiar people]] who were to serve those who would [[repent]] and seek [[The Way|the ways]] of God.]]

These [[Levites]], who had been "[[Ekklesia|called out]]", could receive only the [[Freewill offerings]] of the people in the form of [[[[Tithe|tithes]]]] because there was no power to tax the people at that time.

There was no ''chief executive officer'' nor men appointed by a king to [[exercise authority]] one over the other.

If those [[called out]] minister of the government could accumulate personal wealth they could soon become corrupt and the elders of families would lose their power to regulate the these servants in this unique form of government of the people and by the people.<Ref name="Johnwy">{{Johnwy}}</Ref>

These government servants could not own any ''property''<Ref>{{05159}}</Ref> in their own name as a personal estate.<Ref>: [[Numbers 18]]:24 "But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an [[heave offering]] unto the LORD, I have given to the [[Levites |Levites]] to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have [[No inheritance|no inheritance]]."</Ref> They did own property but held that [[Vow of poverty|property in common]] because they belonged to God<Ref>[[Numbers 3]]:12  "And I, behold, I have taken the Levites  from among the children of Israel instead of all the [[firstborn]] that openeth the matrix among the children of [[Israel]]: therefore the [[Levites]]  shall be mine;"
: [[Numbers 3]]:45  "Take the Levites  instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites  instead of their cattle; and the Levites  shall be mine: I am the LORD."
: [[Numbers 8]]:14  Thus shalt thou separate the Levites <03881> from among the children of Israel: and the Levites  shall be mine.
: [[Deuteronomy 26]]:13  "Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite , and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy [[commandments]] which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:"</Ref> rather than themselves. 

They like the "[[Ekklesia|called out]]" of Christ owned [[all things common|all things in common]]<Ref>[[Acts 2]]:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
: [[Acts 4]]:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.</Ref> but could not own property<Ref>Luke 14:26  "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
[[Luke 14]]:27  "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." 28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
[[Luke 14]]:33  "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."</Ref> as a personal estate.

* "What a man cannot transfer, he cannot bind by articles." [[Maxims]] of law

When Joshua led the Israelite people into the land of Canaan ([[Joshua 13]]:33), the Sons of Levi were the only Israelite tribe that received ''cities'' but were not allowed to be landowners in the same way that the rest of Israel was to own land "because the Lord the God of Israel Himself is their inheritance" <Ref>[[Deuteronomy 18]]: 2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. </Ref>.

Most of Israel owned land with a true and actual title to the land itself. They enjoyed the milk and honey of the ownership of land which had to do with the [[Beneficial interest]] or use of the land itself. They were not taxed upon the land by the government. Israel at first was a [[Republic|republic]] which formed a government of the people, for the people, by the people. 

But the Levite title to land was more like a [[Legal Title‎|legal title]] today, but without an authoritarian central government. <ref>Leviticus 25:32 Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, [and] the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.</Ref>

They had a central government formed by a network of congregations. The congregations were formed by the election of the families in congregations of [[Tens|tens]] or what became known as a [[Tithing#The_Peoples_Unit|Tithing]].

== Servants of a Nation ==


The Tribe of Levi served the whole of Israelite society in several ways. They had been separated out to bless the whole nation in accordance with the [[name]] or character of God.<Ref>[[Deuteronomy 10]]:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.</Ref>They were responsible for the national ''religious service'' or duties which included service to the individual families in congregation. [[Religion]] meant how you performed your duty to God and your fellow man. A national [[Religion|religion]] was about a national [[Welfare|welfare]] system and the sacrifices upon the [[Altars]] of the [[Priests|priest]]s of society were to provide for that social service through the [[Perfect law of liberty]].<Ref>[[Deuteronomy 14]]:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
: [[Deuteronomy 26]]:12 ¶ When thou hast made an end of [[Tithing|tithing]] all the tithes of thine increase the third year, [which is] the year of [[Tithing|tithing]], and hast given [it] unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
: [[Deuteronomy 14]]:27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
: [[Deuteronomy 16]]:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] within thy gates.</Ref>

They also  had political and judicial responsibilities to the people of the nation of Israel because they maintained the [[cities of refuge]]. They did not [[Exercises authority|exercise authority]] over the people like other nations but were the [[Titular|titular]] leaders of the nation. The people held the power of kings and rulers because there were [[no king]]s in Israel. 

This was a way to base a system of self [[government]], not upon force but upon love, <Ref>[[Leviticus 19]]:18 “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.” [[Leviticus 19]]:34 “[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.”</Ref> just like Christ and [[Baptism|John the Baptist]].

Because they had [[Vow of poverty|no personal estate]] in land, the landed members of the tribes (I.E. the ones owning land with a true title) were expected to give tithe to the Kohanim<Ref>Kohen or cohen (or kohain; Hebrew: כֹּהֵן, "[[Priests|priest]]", pl. כֹּהֲנִים kohanim) is the Hebrew word for [[Priests|priest]]</Ref>, particularly the tithe known as the ''Maaser Rishon'' (מעשר ראשון) or First [[Tithe]] ([[Numbers 18]]:21-26). 

To be counted a [[Priests|priest]] of society and receive this [[tithe]], they had to be elected first by the people as a minister to a congregation of ten or [http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/Tithing#The_Peoples_Unit Tithing].

The body of [[Priests|priest]]s to the nation grew as those primary [[Priests|priest]]s elected their own [[Priests|priest]]s in congregations or orders of ten [[Priests|priest]]s. This gathering in [[tens]] formed a living [[Network]] through which a flow of [[charity]], information and ideas flowed, which Moses would eventually depend upon for the people's courts.

As [[Priests|priest]]s, they performed the duties to the tabernacles in war and peace which include service to the Tabernacle and the ''tabernacles or tents of the people in congregation''. Because the congregations of [[Tens|ten]] through a system of [[voir dire]] could form natural [[Jury|juries]] for the adjudication of legal matters, there was a need for higher courts of appeal to prevent injustice. This network also formed a series of appeals courts where the [[Levites]] were chosen as judges.<Ref>[[1 Chronicles 23]]:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand [were] to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand [were] officers and judges:</Ref>

These courts again were not top down system of lawmakers and kings but voluntary systems of mutual cooperation requiring a people rich in [[Social virtues]].

They also provided a central depository to direct funds anywhere in the nation if local contributions could not provide the needs of the people. This was not a trickle down central treasury. Most of the aid was handled by local ministers in the communities where they were generated. 

This temple treasury was collected by the porters of the temple and flowed back through the network of [[tens]] as needed.<Ref>[[1 Chronicles 23]]:5 Moreover four thousand [were] porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, [said David], to praise [therewith].</Ref> 

Understanding the 48 "cities" of the [[Levites]] and their purpose may help us understand the expanded role of the [[Levites]] in their mission to keep Israel free.

{{breeches}}

== Kohen ==

Israel was a nation chosen to serve all people as [[Priests|priest]]s setting an example of a different form of [[government]]. 

What kind of [[Priests|priest]]s? 

The [[Hebrew]] word ''kohen'' is translated as “[[Priests|priest]]” 744 times. It is also translated “own” twice, “chief ruler” twice, “officer” and “princes” once each. It is defined as “[[Priests|priest]], principal officer or chief ruler” and could mean a pagan, or Levitical [[Priests|priest]], or even a [[Priests|priest]]-king. Jesus was such a [[Priests|priest]] after the order of Melchisedec, but he ruled, not with the rod of iron like [[Rome]], but with love, service and humility. He was the Prince of Peace.

The original role of the [[Priests|priest]] came from the first-born son of the family, who managed the common funds of the family for the benefit of all its members. The [[Priests|priest]]s of a nation were very much the same. Israel was a kingdom, not a religion. It was a system of faith, but all governments are systems of faith or fidelity or allegiance, established for the welfare of the people, accepting, in exchange, a portion of their loyalty or allegiance. A Godly government is based upon the precepts of a brotherhood of love and charity and not upon demands and force.

For almost 400 hundred years, Israel had been a powerful nation with no central government, no compulsory tax, and no police force or standing army, other than an organized brotherhood of free citizens. The dominion and civil power was in the hands of the individual families. Patriarchs ruled their own families. With the law in their hands, they came together in a union of community consensus and national brotherhood.

The first-born of those families were the [[Priests|priest]]s within the large family units. But the [[Priests|priest]]s and ministers of the nation were chosen from amongst the first-born of a nation, which, as a people, were called the [[Levites]]. God said that they were to open the matrix of the nation. They belonged to God the Father<Ref>[[Numbers 8]]:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. [[Numbers 3]]:12</Ref> with separate civil communities or cities.

The people ruled themselves. But the people voluntarily came together in a series of small groups or congregations.<Ref>''edah'' from ed meaning witness. It is translated congregation 124 times, company 13, assembly 9 times and multitude, people and swarm once each. It means a congregation, gathering</Ref> Ten elders of families would gather together to choose a representative who would stand in service to those families and the whole nation. Ten of these representative ministers, in turn, would choose their own minister, who were the elders or princes of the tribe and, eventually, the nation through the pattern of [[tens]]. The same pattern was played out in the charitable network of the Levites. The flow of their charitable ministration to the ''tents of the congregation'' provided both the life blood and and binding glue of a nation of liberty.

: "… the Levites… they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:" [[Numbers 8]]:24

Both the ministering elders of this nation and the men who followed their lead were the right hand of government. Those elder Levites, chosen by the congregation and then by other Levites, had no ''inheritance in the land'', no personal estate.<Ref>Numbers 18:20  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
: Numbers 18:23  But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
: Numbers 18:24  But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
: Numbers 26:62  And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
: Deuteronomy 18:2  Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.</Ref> 

They could not own real property in their own name. They were a separate civil jurisdiction unto themselves holding all things in common. This was the left hand of the governing system of the [[Kingdom of God]], Israel. Neither had authority over the people. They were men respected in their service. They were titular in their offices.<Ref>Webster’s. “REPUBLIC 3. A state or nation with a president as its titular head.” [A person who holds title, especially without any obligations of office]. See [[Republic]] vs [[Democracy]], [[COg|The Covenants of the gods]].</Ref>

: "Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service." [[Numbers 7]]:5

This was an amazing concept in government, where no employed minister would get paid unless his constituents thought he was doing a service and those ministers were directly answerable to, at least, 10 constituents, yet autonomous. 

It was a system of responsibility, [[charity]], [[faith]], and [[hope]]. It was not a government of self-indulgence, sloth, pride, and arrogance. Why would the people ask for a central government, knowing that guaranteed entitlements granted a reciprocating entitlement to the ruler of that system; knowing that your ministers would be appointed from the top down; and knowing that your goods and the firstfruits of your labor would be taken for its purposes; knowing that your sons and daughters would become human resources serving that government?<Ref>[[1 Samuel 8]]:</Ref>

Giving power to a central authority, and having that same authority appoint the servants of government, relinquishes a responsibility required of the people in a truly free society. Such granted power corrupts the leaders with that same power and the people with apathy. Despite God’s warnings, men continue in pride to imagine that they can control such constituted governments. From Saul to Rehoboam, all of the rulers of God’s kingdom violated the constitution of Israel and its remnant, Judea.<Ref>[[Deuteronomy 17]]:14…</Ref> 

They had forgotten the despotism of Egypt and had grown weary of the individual responsibility of a free state. After only a few kings, Israel divided as a kingdom under Rehoboam. Most of the people forsook the kingly line of David and abandoned the centralized civil powers. The people desired “Those days when there was [[no king]] or central government in Israel, and every man did what he believed was right in his own eyes.”<Ref>[[Judges 17]]:6 </Ref>

The people called for a return to the free dominion of their own tents or household. 

: "So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither [have we] inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents." [[1 Kings 12]]:16

The people were divided by their own sin. There were a series of corrupt kings and vanquishing captivities with short periods of repentance. Finally, God took away the promise of the seed of David ever prospering again upon the throne of God’s kingdom. 

: "… for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." [[Jeremiah 22]]:30

== Not all Priests ==


The [[Levites]] were not all priests in service to the national network or "camp" or "company" of the people. They played roles as heralds or ''singers'' in service to the nation to harmonize the people in a single national unit in time of distress or attack. They even served as guards for the whole of society.

They were not only [[Health|health]], [[Education|education]], and [[Welfare|welfare]], but also the [[FEMA]] of society, as well as the actual homeland security and central intelligence service of a free society. Because of the sacrifice of the [[Red Heifer]], they were also the International Red Cross, Salvation Army and Peace Corp, all rolled into one. The difference between them and other governments of the [[World|world]] is that they were supported by [[Freewill offerings]] only.

They formed a national network of charity, but also the national  information service and library of congress. Like a public news service, they shared information and knowledge about solutions to local problems that appear in manufacturing, agricultural production and health control. This led them to becoming research and development and product safety information service. 

This is laid out in Moses' extensive work in describing the legal responsibility  associated with building codes and occupational health and safety concepts within what we often call the statutes of Moses. Clearly, his dietary and horticultural ban on swine and water foul was to improve the health of society by eliminating a source of parasite infestation that had decimated the former population of Canaan.

When there were problems that arose in the health of the people or their farm produce or livestock, they played an essential role as extension agents. Societies often rose and fell because someone discovered something as simple as the stirrup for riding horses. As keepers of the national knowledge database, the survival of Israel was often dependent upon the service-oriented nature of the Levites.

There are many threats to the life of the nation, and the need for foreign intelligence can be vital to any nation to protect them from outside threats. But unlike 
 
They wanted Israel strong and secure. They had a mission and a purpose, and they had a good grasp of the idea and need for people being in a communion of  love and service.
 
Their job was the entire [[Welfare|welfare]] and [[Corban]] of the people. This was a lot of work serving the tents of the congregations aof the people.<Ref>Numbers 8:24 This [is it] that [belongeth] unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:</Ref> They were to retire from physical labor at 55.<Ref>Numbers 8:25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service [thereof], and shall serve no more:
26  But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
</Ref>

== Joint Heirs ==

They needed to be a wealthy tribe to make that work. But the Levites only had legal title to their land and flocks as long as they remained Levites. They could not make treaties nor could they sell their land outside the body of the  Levites.  Any Levite could redeem the land they sold at anytime because a Levite did not own the ''beneficial interest''. That was held in common.

This meant they could never lose all the land of Israel to debt. There were several safeguards built into the system to keep excessive wealth from corrupting people. Dressing and keeping, real property, it should be used to produce the substance to fulfill the needs of life for the protection of the life of the people. The use of the property may be sold for the benefit of the people, but traditionally this is not done for more than 49 years. The use of property may be redeemed at any time. 

: [[Leviticus 25]]:32 "Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, [and] the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time."
 
They were joint heirs.
 
It takes some imagination to see how all this fits together but it is easy to say that is not perfect. Perfect systems require perfect people. The system requires virtuous people to make it work and working at it leads people to virtue. 
 
: [[Joshua 14]]:4 "For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell [in], with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance." 

We know the Levites had land for their flocks and cattle from the Bible. If they were in the sheep business they were in competition with others. Certainly their first concern was their family and their brother ministers but the nature of the call brought  men of service. It is clear in the Bible that all Levites were not unselfish. The generosity of the people kept the diligent Levite in the forefront of government. Foolish people do not choose wise leaders.

We know that at least some of the Levites were rich and wealthy in possession according to the [[Bible]].

What they did not have was an inheritance in the land ... As I said they were joint heirs owning things in common.

: [[Numbers 18]]:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
<Ref>05159 ^הלחנ^ nachalah \ from 05157 (in its usual sense); n f; AV-inheritance 192, heritage 27, inherit 2, possession 1; 222 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage    1a) property</Ref>

Land is one of the major depositories of wealth. They did not have that because they never "owned land". God owned the Levite so he owned the Levite land. This is one of the things that the Hasmonians tried to allow, and because they did, many people rented land from the rich Levites of that time. That rent had become a form of property tax. Men like Joses  repented of the sinful exceptions of the Levites in Cyprus.

: [[Acts 4]]:36 "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,"

The Levites did have inheritance, just not in the land. They inherited the right to the contributions of the people. <Ref>[[Deuteronomy 18]]: 3 And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. 4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. 5 For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.</Ref> The people were to give their [[Freewill offerings]] to the Levite of their choice. If he did a good job the generous people would attract the best ministers who would work to make them even more successful.<Ref>[[Deuteronomy 18]]:6 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;</Ref>

The land they lived on belonged to all Levites in common. In the governments of the [[World|world]] the leaders are not titular. They make laws and force contributions of the people and often accumulate vast wealth. Every leader from Nixon to Yasser Arafat -- from the queen of England to Hosni Mubarak -- got rich in office.

Levites had a limit. Still they could be corrupted without other governing factors built into the system.

The hard times of their wandering had tested the metal of their virtue.

We also know from historians of the time that Levite ministers did have money and did produce commodities that they sold amongst themselves. They could also sell their surplus to the people or give it away. You cannot make it a rule that they could not sell what they owned, like sheep or wares out of the community of the people or even to strangers. That would be hewing the [[Stones|stones]].<Ref>[[Exodus 20]]:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.</Ref>

But again there was a natural governor that was built into the system. Election of ministers was based on service and generosity. Was he industrious, did his work bear fruit, did he raise a family well, did he remain faithful to his wife .... ?

Forgiveness and giving were virtues to be honored. Sloth, selfishness and greed were shunned.

They were a nation in a nation. They could eat of the shew bread, but if they used it to enhance their own wealth and self indulgence, the offerings would soon dry up.

== So were the Levites Mendicant? ==


If they were entirely dependent upon the people, the people, if not the rich, could quickly influence the ministry. The threat of withholding funds would constantly be hanging over their heads. But on the other hand if the Levites were a [[mendicant]] order who could only depend upon charity then much if not all their energy would be spent begging like the [[mendicant]] monks of the world.

Their purpose was to serve the nation; if they were slothful, the nation would become weak and soon the whole nation would fall. They needed to serve the people in a way that strengthened and enriched the people, and they too would be rich and secure.

You give to them according to their service.

: Numbers 7:5 "Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service."

Some historians and theologians have used the word [[Mendicant]] to describe the Levites. But a [[Mendicant]] refers to begging or relying on charitable donations, and is most widely used for religious followers or ascetics who rely exclusively on charity to survive. It is true that Levites did depend upon the charity to do the work of government in tending to [[Pure Religion]] and social [[Welfare]] of the people. But it is also clear that they were not like the Sadhus of India or the [[Mendicant]] monks of the thirteenth century.

The [[Levites]] clearly had both flocks and cattle, cities  and Suburbs<Ref>[[Leviticus 25]]:33 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. 34  But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
: Numbers 35:2  Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
: Numbers 35:3  And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
: Numbers 35:4  And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the  Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
: Numbers 35:5  And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
: Numbers 35:7  So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
: Joshua 14:4  For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and  Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
: Joshua 21:2  And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
: Joshua 21:3  And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
: Joshua 21:8  And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.</Ref> so they could not be mendicant in any way. That would be a Jewish fable which began among [[Pharisees]] and [[Sadducees]] who became dependant upon the [[Corban]] of the Hasmonians, Herod and [[Rome]].

The Levites and the Early Church were literally separate nations and governments. They were not a part of the [[World|world]]. They were also not a part of the people they served. They were separate. 

Like the [[Essenes]] they could sell what they had to get what they needed to do their job including, fish extra livestock and tents or their service but they were already employed by God so they could not be [[Employ|employed]] by other [[Gods|gods]] of the [[World|world]].

Their main job was to teach and help people learn [[The Way]]. 

The Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 49 as written by Suetonius expelled the Jews from Rome. Among those expelled were Priscilla and Aquila who were [[Tentmaker|tentmakers]] as was Paul.<Ref> [[Acts 18]]:1-3; [[Acts 20]]:33-35; [[Philippians 4]]:14-16</Ref> 

Paul lived with Priscilla and Aquila for approximately 18 months in Corinthuntil he went to Syria. They stopped at Ephesus. In [[Acts 18]]:24-28, Luke describes the couple explaining Jesus' baptism to Apollos who became an important Christian evangelist in Ephesus. 

Apollos was an "eloquent speaker" who had a "thorough knowledge of the Scriptures". Paul indicates Apollos is an apostle instructed by Priscilla and Aquila.  Apollos only knew the [[Baptism|baptism]] of John the Baptist and it was Priscilla and Aquila who took him aside and explained [[The Way]] of God to him "more accurately"  that would make them major teachers.

Both the [[Levites]] and the early Church cared for the people in that [[Pure Religion]] of [[Freewill offerings]] we call [[Charity]]. This meant they not only had a place to keep stuff but sold what they received to get the things they might need more.

The funds they received and the service they provided was the government service such as a welfare that strengthened the poor. Rather than tax the people like other governments they depended a great deal on [[Freewill offerings]].<Ref>Deuteronomy 12:19  Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 14:27  And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
</Ref>

That is the difference. But for that system to work, all members of society needed to attend to the {{Template:Weightier matters}}

== Church in the Wilderness ==

{{Template:Wilderness}}



{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; color: green;"
|Attribute
|Church in the Wilderness:
|The early Church:
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Called'''
|colspan="2"|Ministers of God have always been called by God to be His "called out".
|-
|The Levites were the people who answered the call to come out and follow the ways of God.<Ref>Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the [[Walled_camp|gate of the camp]], and said, Who [is] on the LORD’S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.</Ref>
|The [[Apostles]] and [[Disciple|disciples]] were called out and serve God by teaching the people the [[The Way|ways]] of God.<Ref>Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
: Matthew 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
: Matthew 9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
: Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
: Matthew 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
: Mark 2:14  And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
</Ref> The way of Christ is God's way of righteousness. To come in His name is to come in His way according to His character.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Belonged'''
|colspan="2"|Those Ministers of God only have God as their [[Master|master]].
|-
|The Levites  belonged to God; they were ''separate'' from the people, so they were limited in their power to make [[CCC|contracts, constitutions and covenants]] while still a part of the whole body of the Levites.<Ref>:Numbers 3:12  And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
:Numbers 3:45  Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
: Numbers 8:14  Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.</Ref>
|The Ministers of the early Church belonged to God, and though they lived in the [[World|world]] and preached the gospel of the kingdom at hand, they themselves were not of the [[World|world]].<Ref>Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two [[Master|masters]: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 16:13  No servant can serve two [[Master|masters]]: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and [[Mammon|mammon]].</Ref> It has always been essential that God's ministers actually belong to God only.<Ref>John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the [[World|world]], but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
: Mark 9:41 ¶ For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.</Ref> They were ''separate''.<Ref>2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
: Matthew 13:49  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever <873> the wicked from among the just,
Matthew 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate <873> them one from another, as a shepherd divideth <873> his sheep from the goats:
Luke 6:22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate <873> you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Acts 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate <873> me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 19:9  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated <873> the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

== Churches Chart ==

</Ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Common''' 
|colspan="2"|Because they are bond-servants of one master, what they have they hold for Him.
|-
|The Levites  owned land in ''common'' rather than as individuals maintaining a mere [[Legal Title‎|legal title]] with no personal [[Beneficial interest]] which was held by God.<Ref>Joshua 14:4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell [in], with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.</Ref>
|The Ministers of His Church held ''all things in common''.<Ref>Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
: Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
: Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.</Ref>They did not own land as individuals but as the Church was a body appointed by Jesus Christ. <Ref>Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: [[Vow of poverty|sell all that thou hast]], and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.</Ref> This ministerial status was different than the people who were to hold a personal dominion from generation to generation.<Ref>Leviticus 25:28 But if he be not able to restore [it] to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.</Ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Appointed'''
|colspan="2"|They do not act by their authority but by His appointed authority.
|-
|The Levites  were given the position of the government of the people, but they had no power to [[Exercises authority|exercise authority]] over the people to force support.<Ref>Numbers 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.</Ref>
|Christ appointed a [[Kingdom of God|Kingdom]] to His [[Disciple]]s to serve after taking the kingdom from the Pharisees, because they did not know the ways of God, and their [[Corban]] was making the word of God to none effect.<Ref>Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
: Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;</Ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Free will offerings'''
|colspan="2"|The God of Heaven has always depended upon free will offerings or charity.
|-
|The power to fund the [[Governments|government]] and the grass roots election of ministers to receive that funding was in the hands of the people.<Ref>Leviticus 22:18 Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever [he be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his [[Freewill offerings|freewill offerings]], which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;</Ref>
|We were always supposed to live by ''[[Charity]]''. While that word ''charity'' never appears in the Old Testament, the idea is seen in the terms [[Freewill offerings]] seen over and over again. And the word ''grace'' is also from the Greek word ''charis'' from which we get the word ''charity'' in English. And the word we see Paul saying translated ''charity'' is always translated ''love'' when Christ says it.<Ref>2 Corinthians 8:7 ¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love (charity) to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love(charity).
</Ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Supported'''
|colspan="2"|Minsters of God doing His service were always able to eat of the altars.
|-
|They could eat or be supported by what was freely given to them for the support of the [[Governments|government]] and the provision of the national welfare.<Ref>in progress</Ref>
|The [[Apostles]] and the other ministers of Christ gave up all to serve according to Christ's criteria for His ministers. They often depended on the [[Freewill offerings]] of the people for the funds to do the work of the Church and their own sustenance.<Ref>: Mark 9:41 ¶ For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.: Matthew 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
: Romans 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
: Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread
: John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
: 1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.</Ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Joint Heirs'''
|colspan="2"|Inheritors of what ever was granted them by God through Abraham or Moses or Jesus Christ.
|-
|The Levites had no inheritance in the land, but they did inherit their office of administers of the daily ministration to the people.<Ref>
: Numbers 18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.</Ref>
|The Church too, as a body, the corpus of Christ, acting in one accord through the appointment of Jesus the Christ, attends to daily ministration. As joint heirs, the administration is passed through a chain of service,<Ref>Romans 8:17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.</Ref> in love-driven ministries among those who are recognized (elected) by those seeking the kingdom from generation to generation.
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