Focus Chapters:
- Numbers 4-5
Standout Verse(s):
Numbers 4:4, 15, 24-26, 31-33 NLT
“The duties of the Kohathites at the Tabernacle will relate to the most sacred objects. The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.
“These Gershonite clans will be responsible for general service and carrying loads. They must carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle itself with its coverings, the outer covering of fine goatskin leather, and the curtain for the Tabernacle entrance. They are also to carry the curtains for the courtyard walls that surround the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain across the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment related to their use. The Gershonites are responsible for all these items.
“Their only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases; also the posts for the courtyard walls with their bases, pegs, and ropes; and all the accessories and everything else related to their use. Assign the various loads to each man by name. So these are the duties of the Merarite clans at the Tabernacle. They are directly responsible to Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
Observation (s):
- The priests would not have been able to accomplish the task of moving the Tabernacle from place to place with the Merarites, Gershonites and Kohathites. Each clan had a specific God-assigned function.
The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles.
The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination.
These Gershonite clans will be responsible for general service and carrying loads.
Their [the Merarites] only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads.
- The priests, Merarites, Gershonites and Kohathites were all from the Levite tribe.
Application:
Can you imagine how stink the world would be without garbage collectors and garbage truck drivers? Can you imagine how stink the world would be without the persons who schedule the garbage pickups and coordinate the garbage collectors and garbage truck drivers? Can you imagine how stink the world would be without the persons who process the salary payments for the persons who schedule the garbage pickups and coordinate the garbage collectors and garbage truck drivers and the garbage collectors and garbage truck drivers? Can you imagine how stink the world would be without the persons who hires all these persons? Getting the picture? There are some many people involved in the process required to get your garbage collected weekly. Each has a different but integral role.
Similarly, we all have an integral interdependent spiritual role that we are called to and we must do it to the best of our abilities. The priests would not have a Tabernacle to carry out their sacred duties without the other members of the Levite tribe. Similar the other members of the Levite tribe would not have a role to play without the presence of the priest role.
God assigned you to your role because He deemed you best suited. Perform that role to the best of your ability. Do not let your tribe down.
