S) "9 But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder."
Numbers 7:9 (NASB)
O) The ark, the alter, the table, the lampstands, bowls, utensils... essentially, everything on the inside of the tabernacle. God assigned these things to be carried by hand, not by cart. Some of the objects were large and heavy, requiring long poles so that their loads could be shouldered by multiple people, including the ark. The ark actually couldn't be touched, anyway, so the poles were especially important. Some of the objects were much smaller, like bowls for incense, and could have been put on a cart quite easily, but God still had them separated to be carried by hand. There are myriad reasons that make sense for this distinction. God sanctified these items as holy and set apart, so it makes sense that He doesn't want them treated as common. They were also quite expensive, as most of these objects were overlaid with gold, so handling them delicately (specifically, by hand) makes sense. But for all we know, there could be countless reasons that do not occur to us, that God could have for making this directive.
A) Envy is a tricky trap. It's very easy for me to put myself into this verse as one of the sons of Kohath, who might envy some of the other clansmen who get to use the ox carts to carry. I can't apply this to a particular ministry, per se, but just to life circumstances in general. It's easy to get drawn into a "why me" mentality. This verse reminds us that, while God loves us all equally, He does not call us to live life equally. The important thing to remember, though, is that He has a purpose behind everything. My circumstances might seem harder to me than others', but I may not be getting the whole story. Sometimes I think of circumstances happening to me. Maybe I need to think of me happening to circumstances. God didn't look out at the Kohathites and consider that He needed to belabor them. These articles were created and needed to be moved, so God called the Kohathites to do it, because He knew they were up to the task. Maybe God looked ahead, at the circumstances that would happen starting 01/13/1982 and He chose me knowing that I was up to task. I need to look at my burdens, any and all of them, as a call to "shoulder a holy object" and consider myself blessed to be chosen. Maybe that's a bit grandiose, but it's humbling and envy-ending.
P) Father, I know I don't always get to know what You know. But, according to Your will, open my eyes to see my circumstances differently. Let me see the trials and difficulties in my life as opportunities to shoulder a burden for You, LORD. Soften my heart to respond in joy at every opportunity to serve You in my life. If I get to use a cart, I'll thank You for the respite. If You call me to shoulder the weight, then I'll rejoice at being called. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
This was a great analysis of Numbers 7 .Most of the time it is easy for us to read chapters like this and miss the importance. I've been on your site for years to help address difficult chapters I run across. Thank you for doing this
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