Levites

        But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.  Numbers 1:47
 
    By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the sanctuary.  In the earliest times every man was the priest of his own household....Now...the Lord accepted the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary.  By this signal honor He manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to His service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized in the worship of the golden calf.  The priesthood, however, was restricted to the family of Aaron.  Aaron and his sons alone were permitted to minister before the Lord; the rest of the tribe were entrusted with the charge of the tabernacle and its furniture, and they were to attend upon the priests in their ministration, but they were not to sacrifice, to burn incense, or to see the holy things till they were covered.
 
    Moses at the burning bush was directed to put off his sandals, for the ground whereon he stood was holy.  So the priests were not to enter the sanctuary with shoes upon their feet.  Particles of dust cleaving to them would desecrate the holy place.  They were to leave their shoes in the court before entering the sanctuary, and also to wash both their hands and their feet before ministering in the tabernacle or at the altar of burnt offering.  Thus was constantly taught the lesson that all defilement must be put away from those who would approach into the presence of God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 350)
 
Reflection:  God has a plan for us.  The way He wants things done--though we might not agree or understand--is always the best plan.  From the beginning, He has set in motion a way of conducting our lives and who should do certain things.  Let us learn to follow His plan more and more each day.