In
Numbers chapter 4, God commands Moses to count and assign the duties
to each of the clans of Levi for their service in moving the
Tabernacle. Remember, this was a temporary structure and would have
to be carried and set up again many times. By following God’s plan,
theses Mosaic Movers became quite an efficient group because they
followed the direction of the same God. The chapter begins, “Take
a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites… count all the men
thirty to fifty years of age“.
Interesting that God limits those that will do this heavy lifting to
only the men over thirty and under fifty. Apparently young men in
their twenties are lacking something. I John 2:14 seems to imply
that young men rely on their own strength, and 1 Peter 5:6 commands
the young men, “Humble
yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he might
exalt you at the proper time“.
To be most useful to God, we have to learn to submit to the
authority God has placed over us.
The
clan of Kohath are commanded to “Care
for the Most Holy things“.
They are to move the items in the Inner chamber, the Ark of the
Covenant, the Table of Presence, the bronze altar and the lamp
stands. But they are also commanded, “After
Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings… the
Kohatites are to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch
anything or they will die“.
We must never lose our reverence for our Holy and Righteous God.
Remember, each of the articles were made with poles to carry them.
It is also stressed, “Assign
to each man his work and what he is to carry“.
Their jobs assignment is not optional and it is not based on what
they feel like carrying. We must be very careful when we are doing
God’s work, that we do it God’s way. When our feelings are contrary
to His Word, we are wrong. The clan of Gershon are counted and the
men thirty to fifty are assigned to “Carry
the curtains of the Tent of Meeting“.
Again we read, “Assign
to them as their responsibility all they shall carry“.
Finally the clan of Merari is assigned to “carry
the frames of the Tabernacle and its crossbars, posts and bases…
Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry“.
After each clan was counted the chapter ends with another reminder,
“At
the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and what
he should carry“.
Sounds like this is an important concept!
In
1 Corinthians chapter 12 the apostle Paul writes to you and I to help
us understand our responsibilities to one another. We are all
individually members of the church and we each have talents and
gifts, but our purpose is to honor God. “Now
there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are
varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are a variety
of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common
good“.
The apostle then compares our own bodies with the church (the body
of Christ). Our body is made of many parts, but it must all function
together. He asks, “If
the whole body were an eyes, where would the hearing be?”
To be an effective tool for God’s purposes, each of us must use the
gifts we have been given according to God’s purposes. Paul reminds
us, “and
if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; and if one
member is honored, all the members rejoice with it“.
To share in these benefits, first you must be part of the body of
Christ. What duty does God want to assign to you today?