Numbers 3:27-51
The sons of Kohath were to pitch on the south side of the tabernacle. “And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they mister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.” They had an inner service, the care of the ark, the table, the candlestick, the altars and the holy vessels of the sanctuary. This speaks then of worship and praise, presenting to God the Person of Christ, His beloved Son, His divine glory, and His perfect devotedness to the Father, as well as the jealous care for all that concerns Him. May we all know more of this blessed occupation with Christ and all that He means to God.
To the sons of Merari fell the burden of the heavy materials or framework of the tabernacle, its boards, bars, pillars, sockets and pins, and so on. In a typical way the service of Kohath has to do with what Christ is to God and what He has done for His glory, whereas the service of Merari is more connected with His meeting the needs of men. Included then in the service of Merari in type is that labor of love for the Lord’s people. If these boards were heavy, each one was precious, for they were all covered with pure gold. Sometimes the care of the people of God is “heavy” work, often little appreciated or noticed. We know from Paul’s own words that he experienced disappointments of this kind — “Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” 2 Cor. 12:15. But let us remember that the saints are dear to God — covered with “gold” in His sight — so may we each persevere in loving service to one another as unto the Lord.
We can see that there were different forms and characters of service appointed by God to the different families of the Levites. Yet in all they were very closely connected and were dependent on one another. Every piece of the tabernacle was a shadow of good things to come, a foreshadowing of Christ, and thus it was their privilege to all work tether in happy service to Him.
Surely the Lord has a lesson for us here in our day. We have all been redeemed by His precious blood. The same Spirit dwells in each. We all are journeying on to that same blessed home — the heavenly Canaan. Each too has his proper place in the army of God. All fight under the same banner, having but one Captain. All are priests under God and therefore privileged to serve in His sanctuary.
He has not given to each alike the same talents but all are stewards of some gift for which each must one day give account. Let each endeavor to find out what that particular work is which God has given him, and let him not despise any position or work however humble, if it be of God’s appointment. If He has given one a work to do he may be sure it is the most honorable, and it will be the Lord’s joy to reward faithfulness in the coming day.
To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed,
To the fountain of life let the weary be led!
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”
ML-03/18/1973