Numbers 4:15-49
THE Kohathites had the sacred privilege of carrying the “most holy things” of the tabernacle, but they were not permitted to touch or even look upon them. “They shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.” Aaron and his sons must first go in and cover those sacred vessels before the Kohathites could take up their service.
Under grace we are privileged to gaze upon the glories of Christ, to worship and adore within the veil; but this is no place for mere curiosity or for the mind of man to be at work. We are solemnly warned against seeking to inquire into the unfathomable mystery of the divine Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The rest of the chapter completes the numbering of the Levites with their three branches — Gershon, Merari and Kohath. As to their standing they were all “joined with Aaron,” yet the class of service of each was distinctly different. Nevertheless they were all “striving together.”
We as believers are one with Christ and members one of another, gathered around Him as our Center, each with a distinct service to do for Him. In this we are called to respect each other’s labors and as far as we are able to help on the work of the Lord.
Gershon means “a stranger,” and it was his work to carry the tabernacle coverings on the wilderness march. The Lord Jesus was ever the homeless Stranger down here, and in following Him we partake of His strangership, Just as the sons of Gershon bore those coverings across the desert so it is our privilege to manifest this character of Christ as we travel on through this wilderness world.
Merari means “sorrow,” and his responsibility was the boards, the bars, the pillars, etc. What little satisfaction there would be naturally in setting them up out on the dreary desert! Yet this was his privilege. And it is our privilege too, dear young Christian, to raise a testimony for Christ in the midst of this barren hostile scene. One may experience much sorrow and reproach in doing so, but there will be much joy too in witnessing for Christ. No one knew sorrow like He did; He was the “Man of sorrows,” but soon when He has all His redeemed at home with Himself in the glory He will be the Man of joy forever.
The floor of the tabernacle was the sand of the desert; in the temple, however, the floor was overlaid with gold. When the high priest went into the tabernacle and gazed on those glories and beauties that spoke of Christ his feet still stood on the sands....
Our feet still tread the desert sands of this world, but one day we shall stand upon the street of gold in the New Jerusalem, and gaze into the face of our blessed Saviour. What we have learned of Him in the sorrows and trials of the wilderness will only deepen our joy then and abide eternally.
Memory Verse: “SET YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL TO SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD.” 1 Chronicles 22:19
ML-04/08/1973