1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
3 From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
4 This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
7 And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
10 And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
11 And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
12 And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:
13 And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
17 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying,
18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
19 But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:
20 But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
21 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;
23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
25 And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
26 And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.
27 At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens.
28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
29 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
32 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
34 And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
35 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:
36 And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
37 These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
39 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
40 Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.
41 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.
42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
43 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
44 Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
45 These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation.
48 Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore,
49 According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.
The fourth chapter of the Book of Numbers in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the Kohathites and Gershonites, two of the three Levite clans. This chapter provides instructions for the specific tasks assigned to these clans in the transportation and assembly of the Tabernacle, the holy tent where God's presence dwells among the Israelites. The main themes of this chapter include the importance of organization and order in serving God, the significance of the Levites as the chosen tribe to assist with the Tabernacle, and the symbolism of the Tabernacle as a representation of God's dwelling place among His people. This chapter teaches us about the responsibilities and duties we have as servants of God and the importance of serving Him with reverence and order.
The first part of Numbers chapter 4 focuses on the duties of the Kohathites, the second-born son of Levi and the tribe from which Moses and Aaron descended. The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the most holy items of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Altar of Incense, and the holy utensils used in the Tabernacle's service (Numbers 4:4-15). These items were considered sacred and could only be handled by the Kohathites, who were to cover them with specific cloths and carry them on their shoulders using poles (Numbers 4:5-6).
The Kohathites were also responsible for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle's inner covering, made of fine linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet threads, and the outer covering, made of goats' hair (Numbers 4:7-8). These coverings were to be carefully folded and stored in a specific manner before being transported to the next location (Numbers 4:11-12). The Kohathites were also in charge of the oil for the light, the incense, and the anointing oil, which were all used in the worship and consecration of the Tabernacle (Numbers 4:16).
One of the main lessons we can learn from the duties of the Kohathites is the importance of handling sacred things with care and reverence. The Kohathites had the privilege and responsibility of carrying the most holy items of the Tabernacle, and they were required to follow strict guidelines in their handling and transportation. This teaches us that as servants of God, we must treat sacred things with respect and honor.
The second part of Numbers chapter 4 focuses on the duties of the Gershonites, the third-born son of Levi and the tribe that descended from Gershon, Moses's eldest son. The Gershonites were responsible for carrying the Tabernacle's coverings, including the outer covering made of goats' hair, the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins (Numbers 4:21-23).
Unlike the Kohathites who carried the most holy items, the Gershonites were not allowed to touch the Tabernacle or any of its sacred objects. Instead, they were to carry the coverings on their shoulders using poles (Numbers 4:24-26). The Gershonites were also in charge of carrying several other items, including the screen for the Tabernacle's entrance, the hangings of the court, and the cords and stakes for the Tabernacle's structure (Numbers 4:25-26).
The Gershonites' responsibilities may seem less significant compared to those of the Kohathites, but they still played a crucial role in the assembly and transportation of the Tabernacle. This teaches us that every task, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is essential in serving God and His people. We must not overlook or underestimate any duty, but instead, perform it with diligence and excellence for the glory of God.
Throughout Numbers chapter 4, we see a strong emphasis on order and organization in the duties of the Kohathites and Gershonites. Each clan had specific responsibilities and tasks assigned to them, and they were required to follow strict guidelines in their execution. This teaches us the importance of order and organization in serving God.
God is a God of order, and He expects order and structure in His worship and service. In 1 Corinthians 14:40, the apostle Paul writes, "Let all things be done decently and in order." This applies not only to the worship service but also to our daily lives as servants of God. We must prioritize and organize our tasks in a way that brings honor and glory to God.
Furthermore, the detailed instructions given to the Kohathites and Gershonites also teach us the importance of following God's commands and guidelines. As His servants, we must be obedient to His instructions and carry out our duties with diligence and respect for His ways.
In Numbers chapter 4, we see that the responsibilities of the Tabernacle's transportation and assembly were given exclusively to the Levites, the tribe chosen by God to serve Him and His people. This further emphasizes the significance of the Levites as the chosen tribe to assist with the Tabernacle.
The Levites were not given an inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel, but instead, they were set apart to serve God and the people as priests and assistants in the Tabernacle. This shows the importance of service and sacrifice in our relationship with God. The Levites were not called to a life of ease and comfort, but to a life of service and dedication to God and His people.
Similarly, as Christians, we are also called to serve and sacrifice for the sake of God's kingdom. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." As followers of Christ, we must be willing to serve, sacrifice, and give ourselves wholly to God's service.
Lastly, Numbers chapter 4 teaches us about the symbolism of the Tabernacle as a representation of God's dwelling place among His people. The Tabernacle was a physical structure made by human hands, but it was set apart as a holy place where God's presence dwelled. This shows the significance of God's presence among His people and the importance of worship and service in His presence.
Moreover, the instructions given for the transportation and assembly of the Tabernacle also hold symbolic meaning. The fact that the most holy items were covered and carried on the shoulders of the Kohathites represents the weight and importance of God's presence and the responsibility of His chosen servants to carry it with reverence and care. Similarly, the coverings of the Tabernacle represent the layers of God's protection and provision for His people.
The Tabernacle also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who would become the ultimate dwelling place of God among His people. In John 1:14, it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Through Jesus, God's presence now dwells within us, His followers, and we are called to be holy and set apart as the Tabernacle was.
In conclusion, Numbers chapter 4 teaches us about the duties and responsibilities of the Kohathites and Gershonites, the importance of order and organization in serving God, the significance of the Levites as the chosen tribe to serve the Tabernacle, and the symbolism of the Tabernacle as a representation of God's dwelling place among His people. This chapter also reminds us of our own responsibilities and duties as servants of God and the importance of serving Him with reverence, obedience, and excellence. May we learn from the lessons in Numbers chapter 4 and apply them in our lives as we seek to serve and honor God in all that we do.
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