Numbers 4:8-14
In speaking of the scarlet cloth spread over the top of the blue on the table of showbread, it is marvelous to think of the time when there will be righteous government in the earth, administered by men (1Cor. 6:2). Yes, there is a wonderful day of human glory, which the scarlet typified, coming, when we will reign over the earth, and Israel on the earth. Of course our chapter tells of these vessels in their passage through the wilderness, and so this bright covering of scarlet was hidden by the badgers’ skins over the top. This reminds us of the Lord Jesus who was truly the rightful King, walking a separate and rejected path, as were the disciples who were sent forth by Him. Thus the glory of the kingdom could not be seen then as it will in the millennium—it was, as it were, covered over. In applying this to ourselves may we too, who are now His people, be careful to maintain that separation from evil, being conscious of the future glory before us, for we are kings now, though not reigning yet. (Rev. 1:6.).
Next we read of how the seven branch candlestick was to be carried through the wilderness. It speaks of light by the power of the Spirit—the true Oil. This candlestick was to be covered with blue, for it was typical of heavenly light down here in the Person of Christ. It was then covered with badgers’ skins, for he maintained that path, as the true Light, in separation from all evil. What lessons for us who are now to walk as He walked in this world. (1 John 2:6.) We are now the children of light (1 Thess. 5:5), to walk as heavenly men in a path of separation from the darkness that is all around us.
The altar of incense and other vessels of the sanctuary were to be covered in the same way as the candlestick, for the true heavenly character of our worship can only be maintained in this wilderness world is we walk in separation from its evil. How necessary that ever the youngest should learn this, for thy devil is making a special attack on the young today, and would seek, from the very start of their schooling, to hinder a separate and heavenly walk. He would make our children part and parcel of the world in its pleasures or its religion—anything to hinder separation to Christ. One feels we need to be increasingly watchful in these last day.
Then there was the altar of burnt offering which had a purple cloth over it, and over all its vessels. Purple speak of royalty and of reigning, and so the Lord Jesus, the One who suffered (like the victim on the altar) is the One who will reign. This also has its application to us. We can, of course, never suffer as He did, for He bore the judgment of God against sin, but we can suffer for Him, and He has said, “If we suffer, we shall reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:12. This purple cloth was then covered over with badgers’ skins, telling us of the Lord Jesus, the rightful King, being rejected and suffering outside the gate. Now we are to go out unto Him, bearing His reproach. (Heb. 13:12, 13.)
Of all these vessels of the sanctuary, the ark was the only one which had the covering of blue on the outside, and this was because it typified the Person of Christ—the Lord from Heaven—and He could not be hid. As they moved along on their wilderness journey the ark went before them, and surely we delight to give the Lord Jesus the place of pre-eminence now, as He will have it forever above.
ML 01/08/1951