Our team of old men enjoys studying the Bible together on YouTube. Bruce Kirby often enriches our discussions of Old Testament passages with humility and New Testament insights.
Rudy Ross brings a wealth of knowledge, thanks to his Jewish background, Hebrew education, and profound understanding of the Bible.
In today’s video, I have Rudy read because there are some names I can’t pronounce. I’m grateful for his help! We’ll discuss those challenging names and the people who fulfill the roles behind them.
The Kohathites were Levites who were separated for a specific task.
The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Take a census of the Kohathites separate from the other Levites, by their clans and their ancestral houses,
From thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting. The service of the Kohathites relating to the tent of meeting concerns the most holy things” (Numbers 4:1-4).
The job of the Kohathites was to care for the holy things in the Tabernacle. We have an idea of the importance of tending to the sacred objects of God by listening to John the Baptist speak with reverence for Jesus Christ.
And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie” (Mark 1:7).
The presence of God is so holy and awe-inspiring that even material items that come into contact with God become sacred. Consider something as simple as the lace of a sandal: even the revered John the Baptist felt unworthy to touch it.
The Kohathites who regularly interacted with objects that had been in contact with God’s presence knew they had to be spiritually and morally prepared to fulfill their service. They understood they were handling items imbued with God’s holiness, inspiring complete awe and requiring them to be thoroughly prepared.
Reflection
During a recent visit to the driver’s license office, I had to read an eye chart from across the room. When the clerk asked if I needed my glasses, I confirmed that I did. He then pointed to a line and asked me to read it.
Out of seven letters, I missed two—a potential warning for anyone who sees me driving on the highway! He noted my two errors and asked if I’d like to try again, even offering a hint.
This experience brought to mind my spiritual needs when it comes to worshiping God. If God’s presence is so serious that even a sandal lace is considered too sacred for John the Baptist to touch, what does that say about my own approach to God?
I’m left wondering if the Holy Spirit might want to make some corrections in my life, much like the clerk did at the DMV.
No Job Too Small
Another group of Levites was assigned the responsibility of transporting the various components of the Tabernacle.
“As for the Merarites, you shall enroll them by their clans and their ancestral houses; from thirty years old up to fifty years old you shall enroll them, everyone who qualifies to do the work of the tent of meeting.
This is their duty to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases,
And the pillars of the court all around with their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their equipment and all their related service, and you shall assign by name the objects that they are required to carry” (Numbers 4:29-32).
When God commanded Moses in Numbers Chapter 1 to conduct a census for military purposes, He specified that those aged twenty and older were to be enrolled. However, for those serving God in the temple or tabernacle, the age requirement was thirty.
Perhaps the age requirements for temple servants were based on two factors: wisdom and physical strength. Those in God’s service would certainly need a high degree of wisdom to handle sacred duties appropriately.
Additionally, given the considerable labor involved in transporting the tabernacle’s components, an upper age limit, such as 50, seems fitting. At that point, they could shift to supervising the younger individuals.
Reflection
I remember listening to one of my favorite preachers years ago talk about the difference between Andrew and Peter.
Andrew knew that Peter would be the brother who would go up the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and see the glory of the Lord. He also knew that he would probably be handing out tuna fish sandwiches to people at the feeding of the 5,000.
Both of them had different roles to play, but both of them were valued by God.
While it’s simple to become envious of others’ God-given talents, we should strive to be content with the gifts we’ve received. What truly matters to God is our faithful service, rather than the unique abilities He has already provided.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 