Numbers 4
According to the commandment of the Lord through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the Lord commanded Moses. – Numbers 4:49
Click to read passage
In today’s passage, we see a continuation of the LORD’s instruction and charge for the Levites. Chapter 4 expands on the specific duties for the sons of Kohath (vv.1-20), the sons of Gershon (vv.21-28) and the sons of Merari (vv. 29-33). It may seem repetitive and even excessive, yet the LORD’s detailed instructions reveal His perfect and holy nature.
The role of the Levite clans here is mainly to serve in the tent of meeting, which is the tabernacle, the place where God dwells with His people. This involves the physical work of transporting, erecting and dismantling the various elements and parts of the tabernacle itself. A key part of their work is that the most holy things are not to be touched directly (4:15), but to be covered with cloth or goatskin and carried on poles. We are reminded here of man’s sinful nature that makes us spiritually unclean. The Levites cannot have physical contact with God’s holiness, lest they die (vv. 15, 17-20).
The second observation we can make from these verses is the repeated charge the LORD gives to the different Levite clans. The LORD repeats: “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things.” (v.4), “This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: they shall…” (v.24) and to the sons of Merari, the LORD said “this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting” (v.31). The great number of eligible men from these clans who were deemed fit for such an honourable service of “bearing burdens in the tent of meeting” came up to over 8000. (vv. 47-48). How do you think these people must have felt, receiving such an important charge to carry the most holy items that belong to the LORD himself? And how would they feel knowing that they are serving together as a clan, as a community who has been commissioned to serve in such an honourable role?
The LORD’s holiness ought to make us tremble in reverence. What’s surprising is that this Holy God entrusts His most holy things to be handled by a bunch of sinful Israelites who had just rebelled against Him. Yet, God appointed them with much grace and power, and they should respond in full obedience to carry out all that the LORD has commanded.
In the New Testament, Paul reminds us that we too have been entrusted to carry something of great honour and importance: the ministry and message of reconciliation, the gospel of Christ our Saviour, who reconciled us to himself and to God by his death and resurrection (2 Cor 5:18-20). Because of this, we are now called ambassadors for Christ! The gospel message is our greatest treasure that we should hold in highest regard, and it is our charge as a church to bring this gospel to all the world as representatives of Christ himself. What an honourable duty and priceless treasure that has been graciously given to us all, who are weak and prone to sin, yet chosen and loved by God to do His glorious work. Praise God!
Reflection:
How has this passage helped you to appreciate God’s holiness more?
Do you think highly of the ministry of the gospel that you have been entrusted with? As a church family with a common charge, how can we be encouraging one another to respond in obedience?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your holiness to us perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ. We thank you for choosing us to be your holy people, and entrusting the precious ministry of the gospel of Christ to us, even though we are weak and prone to stray. Please help us as a church to carry out this charge with great care and concern for your holy name, and that you would use FMC to bring many more to know Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Click to read passage
In today’s passage, we see a continuation of the LORD’s instruction and charge for the Levites. Chapter 4 expands on the specific duties for the sons of Kohath (vv.1-20), the sons of Gershon (vv.21-28) and the sons of Merari (vv. 29-33). It may seem repetitive and even excessive, yet the LORD’s detailed instructions reveal His perfect and holy nature.
The role of the Levite clans here is mainly to serve in the tent of meeting, which is the tabernacle, the place where God dwells with His people. This involves the physical work of transporting, erecting and dismantling the various elements and parts of the tabernacle itself. A key part of their work is that the most holy things are not to be touched directly (4:15), but to be covered with cloth or goatskin and carried on poles. We are reminded here of man’s sinful nature that makes us spiritually unclean. The Levites cannot have physical contact with God’s holiness, lest they die (vv. 15, 17-20).
The second observation we can make from these verses is the repeated charge the LORD gives to the different Levite clans. The LORD repeats: “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things.” (v.4), “This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: they shall…” (v.24) and to the sons of Merari, the LORD said “this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting” (v.31). The great number of eligible men from these clans who were deemed fit for such an honourable service of “bearing burdens in the tent of meeting” came up to over 8000. (vv. 47-48). How do you think these people must have felt, receiving such an important charge to carry the most holy items that belong to the LORD himself? And how would they feel knowing that they are serving together as a clan, as a community who has been commissioned to serve in such an honourable role?
The LORD’s holiness ought to make us tremble in reverence. What’s surprising is that this Holy God entrusts His most holy things to be handled by a bunch of sinful Israelites who had just rebelled against Him. Yet, God appointed them with much grace and power, and they should respond in full obedience to carry out all that the LORD has commanded.
In the New Testament, Paul reminds us that we too have been entrusted to carry something of great honour and importance: the ministry and message of reconciliation, the gospel of Christ our Saviour, who reconciled us to himself and to God by his death and resurrection (2 Cor 5:18-20). Because of this, we are now called ambassadors for Christ! The gospel message is our greatest treasure that we should hold in highest regard, and it is our charge as a church to bring this gospel to all the world as representatives of Christ himself. What an honourable duty and priceless treasure that has been graciously given to us all, who are weak and prone to sin, yet chosen and loved by God to do His glorious work. Praise God!
Reflection:
How has this passage helped you to appreciate God’s holiness more?
Do you think highly of the ministry of the gospel that you have been entrusted with? As a church family with a common charge, how can we be encouraging one another to respond in obedience?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your holiness to us perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ. We thank you for choosing us to be your holy people, and entrusting the precious ministry of the gospel of Christ to us, even though we are weak and prone to stray. Please help us as a church to carry out this charge with great care and concern for your holy name, and that you would use FMC to bring many more to know Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.