May the mumbling commence!
Here, in Numbers chapter four, we have recorded the deconstruction of the Tabernacle. The first thing to be done is the deconstruction of the Holy of Holies. Aaron and his sons used the shielding curtain to cover the ark of the Testimony. The ark was the only thing from the Holy of Holies that did not have as a last layer the hide of sea cows. They placed a solid blue cloth over it. All of Israel would be able to see from a distance where the ark was.
The table of the Presence had a distinguishing mark hidden just underneath the sea cow hides. Upon the table of the presence, they put a scarlet cloth over the blue cloth. The gold altar (for burning incense) had only a blue cloth as well as the articles for ministry in the sanctuary. The bronze altar was distinguished by the purple cloth that was hidden under the sea cow hides. This was the altar for burnt offerings, so it helped establish relationship between the Lord and Israel. Hmm… A purple cloth symbolized the royal relationship between God and His people.
Of the three clans of Levites, the clans of Kohathites were to carry these most holy items. Aaron and his sons were to pack them and hide them from view because it would mean the death of the Kohathites if they were to see or touch them. It must have been a special honor to carry the ark, because the blue cloth set it apart from all the other items. The Kohathites had the most spiritually heavy task of the three clans. Eleazar, Aaron’s oldest son, was in charge of overseeing this part of the process.
The Gershonite clans were to pack and carry all the remaining curtains, the coverings of sea cow hides, and all the ropes and equipment used in the service of the entrance to the Tabernacle. They were under the direction of Ithamar, Aaron’s son. The Merarites packed and carried the frames, the crossbars, posts, bases, tent pegs, ropes, and all other equipment related to their use. These two clans had the grunt work. But all these assignments were holy and needed to maintain relationship with God. And they continue to be holy – whether one preaches or cleans the sanctuary or cares for the grounds – all assignments are holy. Oh to be a pawn in the hands of the Lord! Better is one day lugging the pieces and parts of the Tabernacle than a thousand sitting behind some self-important desk!
These three clans of Levi were taken as a replacement for the firstborn sons of Israel. The tribe of Levi belong especially and exclusively to the Lord. It is recorded in Numbers 3:11-13:
The Lord also said to Moses, "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord."
The Levites are devoted to the Lord, and that means the consecration of the Levites is irrevocable. There were 22,000 Levite males a month old or more, but there were 22,273 firstborn Israelite males. That’s a difference of 273. The rest were redeemed with five shekels of silver (about two ounces – worth today about $62). The total amount of silver collected for Aaron and his sons was 1,365 shekels (about thirty-five pounds). Today, silver is worth about $500 a pound, so the total given would be worth today about $17,500.
I give thanks this Lord’s day for the set apart Sabbath. May I totally devote myself to the work and word of the Lord. May the people of Community Church encounter God in a new way this morning, as I preach and as we glorify our Lord.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
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