Day 58, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Numbers 3, 4
(Note: In the chronological order of the book of Numbers, God directs the Levites to take a census, and God assigns them tasks before their dedication for service in the tabernacle)
Mom likes her little helper. She wishes he would continue to want to be her helper, but alas, kids grow up and lose interest. Did you know that in the Bible, there are helpers appointed for serving in church-like ministries?
When people think of workers in churches, they immediately think of senior and youth pastors, elders, priests, music pastors, or other religious leaders. Yet, what could we accomplish if we did not have other dedicated servants to help? The burden would be too great to bear. The typical church ministry has many unseen helpers, like deacons, trustees, treasurers, secretaries, custodians, Sunday School teachers, youth workers, nursery workers, musicians, sound technicians, and more. How can we serve God?
From Moses to King Solomon, the tabernacle was the worship center for the Israelites. In Moses's days, Aaron and his sons were the priests, but how could they possibly handle all the sacrifices for over two million people? How could they take care of the maintenance of the tabernacle and all its furnishings?
Appointments
The LORD knows they need help, so he orders a census and chooses the male Levites to represent all Israel's firstborn sons. Then, God dedicates them for service and worship.
The Levites between the ages of thirty to fifty would do the tabernacle work and transport it (Ephesians 1:3-14; more).
Our worship centers (churches) need workers. The leaders can't do it alone. Pastors or elders and other church leaders should take stock of their numbers, pray, and then appoint suitable helpers for their church ministry. Then, the pastor (s) or other church leadership can fulfill their own duties.
Assignments
God appoints 8,580 Levites, ages thirty to fifty, to help Aaron's sons with the sacrifices (Numbers 4:46-4)). They can't make the offerings—only the priests can do that—but they can assist in other ways.
The Levites are also responsible for the tabernacle's maintenance and transportation, and each of Aaron's sons supervises the work. However, only the priests may serve in the Holy Place and transport the table, the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place.
Moving
Getting ready to move can be quite a tiring and challenging task. We have to pack and mark valuables so they won't be broken. We have to plan for the moving of furniture and everything else we will need in our new place. Then, we have to get workers and vehicles together to help us move.
It'll soon be time for the Israelites to continue their journey to the Promised Land (Canaan). The Levites have the duty of moving themselves and all the furniture and articles of the tabernacle. This might have been a strenuous task, but they are well-organized. Aaron's three remaining sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and their descendants supervise the job.
It's the Kohathites who carry the Sanctuary's Most-Holy things after Aaron and his sons cover and protect them. They drape the Ark of the Covenant with the shielding curtain, which separates the Holy Place from the Most-Holy Place. They then covered it with sea cows' hides (probably porpoise skin from porpoises found in the Red Sea) and blue cloth.
Then, the priests individually wrap the altar of incense, the lampstand, the showbread table, and all their accessories in blue cloth (they also drape the table with a scarlet cloth). Porpoise skin protects all the articles. The Kohathites must exercise extreme caution when transporting the sacred articles—they separate all the Holy Place and Most Holy Place's furniture for sacred use—they mustn't be uncovered or touched by anyone other than Aaron's direct descendants. The penalty for looking at or feeling them is death! (Numbers 4:15, 20).
In the courtyard, the Levites empty the ashes left from the sacrifices on the bronze altar. Then, they empty the utensils of their ashes and pack them. Last, they drape the utensils in purple and blue and cover them with porpoise skin. The bronze basin is probably also draped in purple and blue and covered with porpoise skin, but it's not stated in these Scriptures. Last, the Levites insert golden poles through the golden rings in the furniture so the Kohathites can bear them on their shoulders.
The Gershonites care for the cleaning and transporting of all the curtains (except in the Most-Holy Place of the sanctuary) and accessories used in the tabernacle and the courtyard. They also cover them with porpoise skin.
The Merarites are the takedown and setup crew. They deconstruct and reconstruct the framework, posts, bases, ropes, and accessories of the tabernacle and courtyard after and before the Gershonites remove or put the tabernacle furniture in place.
Our Responsibilities
God first dwelt in the tabernacle, then in the temple, and now he lives in the heart of each true believer in Christ (John 1:14). The LORD calls us to salvation and service (Ephesians 2:10). We need to assemble ourselves together and encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25), using our gifts for God and to benefit the people in our churches or worship centers (1 Corinthians 12-14).
Although some assemble in homes or schools, most Christians assemble in church buildings. Outside appearances are not everything and sometimes are impossible to change, but they can show how much we care about God. How much attention do we give to the place where we meet and worship? Do we keep it repaired? Is it clean? Do we also maintain our furniture and articles of worship? When people see it, do the inside and outside glorify the God whom we worship?
Discussion
The LORD chose the Levites to serve in the tabernacle. Why did God choose us? What are we to do?
How are we showing care for our place of worship and the furnishings within it? Why should we do it?
Endnote that in Numbers 8:24 the ages for Levitical service are twenty-five to fifty, but other Bible readings say that only those who are between the ages of thirty and fifty may transport the tabernacle. Perhaps those who enter service at twenty-five are to maintain the tabernacle for five years to appreciate the value of the articles and furnishings they will later transport.
Focus Verses
1 Corinthians 12:11–12 (NIV) “All these [gifts and abilities] are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: We all have duties to fulfill for our LORD. What are the keys to ownership and responsibility? That is the topic for our Next Lesson.
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re-edited 3-2-23
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