In Numbers, chapter eight, verse eleven, the Lord speaks to Moses about what his brother Aaron should do on behalf of the Levites. The verse begins with: “And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord…” Or “wave” them, as a wave offering, which was moved to and fro, backward and forwards. The hands wave and moved to and fro by Aaron: which could not be done by him though it is possible that he might make such a motion himself, and they might do the like after him, thereby signifying that they belonged unto the Lord of the whole earth. Some think this testifies to their readiness to serve the Lord. However, the Levite’s constant employment in his service, being in motion, doing one piece of service or another continually as the people of God, and especially the ministers of the word, should always be abounding.
The “wave” offering was the priest’s portion of the peace offering. It was waved toward the sanctuary as a sign of dedication to God and then gestured toward the offerer or priest, indicating that the Lord was putting the offering at the person’s disposal. Here the Levites themselves are a wave offering to the Lord. Since the priest could not wave them literally, the priest did this dedication symbolically. This experience was a part of the Old Testament.
Today, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ, is known as the great High Priest. Christians that have accepted Him into their hearts can praise and worship the Lord anytime and give a wave offering. However, as the believer gets to know the Lord and their relationship grows, they will have the opportunity to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. During the time of daily prayer and devotion, when a believer lifts their hands while praying, they will discover them moving continually effortlessly in various motions as they pray. The believer will realize the Holy Spirit, the presence of God, is with them, not them moving their hands on their own, although they could do it if they wanted to.