Bible Talks

From: Messages of God's Love: 1973

• 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Numbers 4:13-15¹³And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: ¹⁴And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it. ¹⁵And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 4:13‑15)

ON THE wilderness journey the care of the holy vessels of the tabernacle was the duty of the sons of Kohath. The ark was the only one which had the covering of blue on the outside. It represented the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ — the Lord from heaven, and He could not be hid. In His personal walk down here He was ever the heavenly Man. And we, whom He has redeemed, in our personal walk through this wilderness world ought also to have on the blue — to manifest our heavenly character that others might see that we belong to Christ.

Next came the altar of burnt offering (v. 13); over it and its sacred vessels was spread a purple cloth. Purple is the royal color and speaks of earthly glory. The brazen altar being then typical of the cross, the blessed One who suffered there, the Crucified One, is nevertheless the One who is going to reign over all the earth. Even now in heaven God has crowned Him with glory and honor, on His head are many crowns, and soon the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; “and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15¹⁵And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15). This is God’s answer to the sufferings of Christ.

We who know Him as our Saviour shall reign with Him in that day. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:12¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12).

The badgers’ skins covered the purple cloth so that it was not seen from without. The world does not see Christ now as the One who shall reign, but they will one day when He comes in His glory and power. For “behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.” Rev. 1:7⁷Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7).

By faith we see Him now at God’s right hand and would hasten the day in our hearts when He shall take the throne and we shall reign with Him. But it is not reigning time for us yet; this is not the day of His power. Many of His dear people are in trying circumstances, some in great affliction and suffering. Now He gives us to prove His love and sympathy in our sorrows. He is with us in them and makes all things work together for our good so that we can look back and thank Him for the trials of the way. By-and-by He will display His power and all will be changed here below. But before then we shall have left this world behind and will be at home forever in His presence.

“A little while” — twill soon be past,

Why should we shun the promised cross?

O let us in His footsteps haste,

Counting for Him all else but loss:

For how will recompense His smile,

The sufferings of this “little while.”

ML-04/01/1973

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