Numbers 4:1-20 – The Coverings
Of the other tribes, those that are numbered to go forth to war are from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime of our time. They are entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (ch. 8:24); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so preparing themselves for service. This gives us two good rules:—(1.) That ministers must not be novices, 1 Tim. 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness. (2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1 Tim. 3:10. When they begin to enter upon old age, they are dismissed, (1.) In honour to them, that they might not be overworked as their strength diminishes. (2.) In honour to the work, that it might not be done by those who, through the weaknesses of age, are slow and heavy. Serving God should be done when we are young and energetic. Those who put off their repentance to old age, leave the best work to be done in the worst time.
Wherever the camp of Israel goes, the tabernacle of the Lord goes, and care must be taken for the carrying of it. Aaron, and his sons, must pack up the things which the Kohathites are to carry. All the holy things must be covered. All these coverings are designed for safety, for decency, and for concealment. Great care is taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by preventing them from seeing the most holy things. But now, through Christ, we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handled, the word of life (1 John 1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Questions
- How old were the Levites when they started their work?
- Why were the things of the tabernacle covered by Aaron and his sons?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the young people in the congregation.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.