Numbers 4:29–45

God gives strength before He claims service. But from their earliest days He counts them apart according to His grace and His intentions. There were three main houses — Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. In Numbers 4 each of them, with their sons, has its own line of service, and there they are numbered again from thirty years old and upward. This matters greatly. Nothing is more important than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do, and once he knows it, he should stick to it. It also matters greatly never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

So not every Levite had the same area of work – and none of them could choose his own service. If you were born a Merarite you were not allowed to take care of the vessels of the sanctuary, which were the charge of the Kohathites. So it is with Christian service: God gives different types of service to different believers.

The boards of the tabernacle speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," and as united in one building, the Church of God. They were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, standing upright on sockets of silver. That is, believers are held up on the basis of redemption, covered with Christ (the gold) and joined together with bars of the same materials... Merari therefore emphasises the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another as dependent on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Here it is clear that Merari is taken up not so much with Christ Himself as with the people of the Lord... and who has done this work without finding the bitterness that Merari's name expresses? A man who could not feel it would be poorly fitted for ministry. We must believe this is the reason for a link that seems strange enough, and yet matches familiar experience. Think how Paul's letters bring this to us out of the full heart of a devotion that kept going, finding from men disappointment rather than reward — in his own words, "the more I love you, the less I am loved."

But Merari was not to shrink from all this. No, when he arrived at a spot in the desert where the cloud halted, his words were, "I have come to set up the patterns of things in heaven right in the middle of all the desolation and misery of the wilderness around." All this was very hard work. No doubt it gave Merari's character a tone of sadness or sorrow — the very thing his name expresses.

A special dignity belonged to the work of a Merarite, even though that work was only looking after a few "pins" or "sockets." Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the deepest interest and the highest value... To touch the smallest pin of that wonderful tabernacle in the wilderness was a holy dignity and privilege. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pins of the tabernacle than to rule Egypt or Assyria as king.

They and their sons are each given a line of service in Numbers 4, where they are numbered again from thirty years old and upward. This matters greatly. Nothing is more important in practice than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do. Once he knows it, he should stick to it. It is also no small thing never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides the work according to His own will.

He enters this service at thirty, the age of realized capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty. In the picture, he leaves only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

They were not to serve in the sanctuary until the ages of 30 through 50, yet clearly they were trained with that service in view. This reminds us that the Lord Jesus Himself did not begin His public service until He was about 30 years of age (Luke 3:23). His earlier years were an important preparation for it.

Their work on the march was heavier than that of the Kohathites. From the offering of the tribal leaders, Moses gave the Gershonites two wagons and four oxen, and the Merarites four wagons and eight oxen. God considered both of these great families, and the one with the heaviest burden had the greatest help... Carrying burdens took strength. God would not overload the strength of anyone He called to work for Him. So no Levite was called to carry burdens before he was thirty, and none was asked to keep on after fifty.

Their work was to care for the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars and sockets... The boards speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," and as joined in one building, the Church of God. They were acacia wood covered with gold, standing upright on sockets of silver. That is, believers are held up on the basis of redemption, covered with Christ (the gold), and joined together by bars of the same materials... So Merari stands for the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another.

Let anyone take a firm, clear stand in the world for Christ... and there let him begin to set up "the sockets of silver." Be sure of this: he will find such a course brings very much sorrow and bitterness of soul. In a word, he will find it a path where the cross has to be taken up "daily," and not only taken up, but carried... nothing will make us true Merarites but deep fellowship with Him who was "THE MAN OF SORROWS."

Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the deepest interest and the highest value... To touch the smallest pin of that wonderful tent in the wilderness was a holy dignity and privilege. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pins of the tabernacle than to hold the royal sceptre of Egypt or Assyria. True, going by what his name means, that Merarite might seem a poor, sorrowful, hard-working man. But his work was tied to the dwelling place of the Most High God, the owner of heaven and earth.

The boards of the tabernacle speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," and of their being united in one building, the Church of God. They were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, and they stood upright on sockets of silver. That is, believers are upheld on the basis of redemption, covered with Christ (the gold) and united together by bars of the same materials... So Merari stands for the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another, and that ministry depends on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

There were forty-eight boards. They stood upright, joined to each other with "tenons" — in Hebrew, "hands." Each board rested on two silver sockets, made from the atonement money, and each was overlaid with gold, with golden rings for the bars that united them all. So the Church is made up of people who each rest on the testimony of redemption, and God fits them together as His own dwelling.

The bars were acacia wood, covered with the same gold, and they fitted into golden rings on the boards. They speak of special gifts that keep everything in place. But those gifts need a matching openness in each believer before they can be used: the "bar" was of no use without the "ring."

All this was clear and distinct. Gershon had nothing to do with the boards and pins; and Merari had nothing to do with the curtains or the coverings. Yet each depended on the other. "The boards and sockets" would not do without "the curtains," and the curtains would not do without the boards and sockets. And the "pins" seem so small — yet who could measure their importance in holding things together and keeping the whole thing visibly one? ... Suppose a Gershonite had decided to drop "the curtains" and turn to "the pins." He would have left his own work undone, and he would have interfered with the work of the Merarite.

God puts each family of the tribe in its own place. He is sovereign in that appointment, so everything stands in its place, perfectly ordered — Kohath with his precious vessels, Gershon with his fine linen, Merari with his boards and pillars. Service is gift, and therefore gift is the appointment to service, since the Giver can make no mistake.

Each had his specific work given. There could be no misunderstanding about it. How strange it would have been if these 22,000 Levites had formed committees and sub-committees to divide the work and direct it! All this would have brought in disorder. All they needed to do was the work the Lord had called them into.

Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the deepest interest and the highest value... It was a holy dignity and privilege to touch even the smallest pin that belonged to that wonderful tent in the wilderness. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pins of the tabernacle than to rule as king over Egypt or Assyria.

Let anyone take a firm, clear stand in the world for Christ... and there let him begin to set up "the sockets of silver." Be sure of it, such a course will bring him much sorrow and bitterness of soul. In short, he will find it a path where the cross has to be taken up "daily," and not only taken up, but carried... nothing will make us true Merarites but deep communion with Him who was THE MAN OF SORROWS.

Merari had charge with his sons of the boards, the sockets, pins and cords. These held the building together. Christ and His people are pictured in the boards of acacia wood, resting in the sockets of silver. The bars of acacia wood unite the boards. So the framework of the tabernacle is a picture of the church, the building Ephesians describes as "joined together." The work of Merari suggests the thought of union.

The pillars of the court rest on bronze sockets, and silver tops crown them. The fine linen curtains hang from them by silver hooks. So grace enables us to hold up the character of Christ before the world. Divine strength is what we rest upon as we do it. The pins and cords brace everything against the opposing influences that are too strong for us on our own.

All this was clear and distinct. Gershon had nothing to do with the boards and pins; and Merari had nothing to do with the curtains or the coverings. And yet they were very closely connected, since they depended on each other. "The boards and sockets" would not do without "the curtains;" and the curtains would not do without the boards and sockets. And what about "the pins"? They seem so unimportant. Yet who could measure their value in keeping things together, and in maintaining the visible unity of the whole? So all worked together to one common end, and each one reached that end by attending to his own special line.

In Numbers 4 each of them, with their sons, receives a line of service. There they are counted again from thirty years old and upward. Nothing matters more in practice than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do. And when he knows it, he should stick to it. Be sure of this too: it matters greatly never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

Doing what we are told to do always has moral worth. But a special dignity also belonged to the work of a Merarite, even though that work was only attending to a few "pins" or "sockets." Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the very deepest interest and highest value… It was a holy dignity and privilege to be allowed to touch the smallest pin that formed part of that wonderful tabernacle in the wilderness. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pins of the tabernacle than to hold the sceptre of Egypt or Assyria.

Merari's service has to do with the house of God, the church of the living God. It has to do with holding up Christ as the way in to God, and with supporting, strengthening, and steadying His witness in the world. His name — Merari, "bitterness" — speaks of how painful such service is. Self-love will break down under it, or run off into some odd path that is less of a burden to flesh and blood. Indeed in our day the family of Merari has dwindled to a very small number, and they have done their work very poorly. Who cares for these boards and bars, and pillars and pins and cords? Who thinks of God's plan and pattern, and all the small details He has appointed?… It needs only plodding accuracy and diligent obedience.

The boards of the tabernacle speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," joined in one building, the Church of God. They were acacia wood overlaid with gold, standing upright on sockets of silver. That is, believers are held up on the basis of redemption, covered with Christ (the gold), and joined together by bars of the same materials... So Merari stands for the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another. This union rests on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Such ministry is of great importance in our present day.

In looking for the New Testament answer to these things, we have thought that the service of Merari suggests what we may call a practical ministry. The service of Gershon suggests a doctrinal ministry. Both came under the hand of Ithamar. But the service of Kohath, under the hand of Eleazar, suggests a devotional ministry about the greatness and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then all would come under the hand of Aaron as the High Priest. The responsibility lay on his shoulders to see that everything followed the mind of God, as God gave it through Moses.

God gave the Levites to Aaron and to his sons, to do the service of the tabernacle. Does this not show that all true Levitical service aims at supporting priestly service in the presence of God? This is the real end in view of all true ministry: that worship to our God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ may be the result.

All this was clear and distinct. Gershon had nothing to do with the boards and pegs. Merari had nothing to do with the curtains or the coverings. And yet the two were closely connected, for each family needed the other. "The boards and sockets" would not do without "the curtains;" and the curtains would not do without the boards and sockets. The pegs seem so small. Yet who could measure their importance in keeping things together and holding the whole in visible unity? ... If a Gershonite had decided to leave "the curtains" and turn to "the pegs," he would have left his own work undone. He would also have interfered with the work of the Merarite.

There was also a special dignity belonging to the work of a Merarite, even though that work was only looking after a few "pegs" or "sockets." Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the very deepest interest and highest value... To touch the smallest peg of that wonderful tabernacle in the wilderness was a holy dignity and privilege. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pegs of the tabernacle than to rule as king over Egypt or Assyria.

Let anyone take his stand firmly in the world for Christ. Let him go into the places where "the world" is really seen at full strength. Let him set himself, firm as a rock, against the deep and rapid tide of worldliness. Let him begin there to set up "the sockets of silver." Be sure of it, he will find that such a course brings very much sorrow and bitterness of soul. He will find it a path in which the cross is taken up "daily" — and not only taken up, but carried.

If God calls people to do His work, He will provide everything they need to carry it on. The Gershonites and the Merarites had clear proof of this... Moses allotted two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonites, and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. Thought went to both of these great families, and the one with the heaviest burden had the greatest help... God would not overtax the strength of anyone called to labour for Him.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one of them finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of full capacity. He leaves it at fifty, as far as its wilderness form goes. In the picture, that leaving comes only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account.

Carrying burdens took strength. And God would not overtax the strength of anyone He called to work for Him. So He called no one to share in the Levites' work of carrying burdens before the age of thirty, and He asked no one to continue that service after fifty... The Kohathites also shared in this same care not to overtax any Levite's strength. What a thing it was, and is, to be the servants of God. He, the Almighty, thinks of them, and considers them.

In Numbers 4 each of them, with his sons, is given a line of service, and there they are numbered again from thirty years old and upward. This too matters greatly. Nothing is more important in practice than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do, and once he knows it, he should stick to it. Be sure of this as well — it matters greatly never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

Seen in this light, it made no difference at all whether a man had to carry a pin, a curtain, or a golden lampstand. The grand question for each and for all was simply, "Is this my work? Is this what the Lord has given me to do?"

A suggestion often made, and widely accepted, removes the difficulty at once: they were tested from twenty-five to thirty before they entered their appointed work. If so, the first five years were a trial period before their formal installation. Then, at fifty, they were to stop attending to the service of the tabernacle... So they no longer carried the appointed burdens (chapter 4) on their journeys through the wilderness, though they might still share with their brothers in the tabernacle... They were still to keep the charge of the Lord, even if they did no service. We learn that the will of the Lord is to govern us the same way whether we are active or retired. At His word we are to work, and at His word we are to rest.

Christian service calls for a certain amount of maturity, no doubt different levels of it for different tasks. And a point in time comes when active service is over. This may not be at age 50, but it could be any time. When the Lord comes, our "window of opportunity" to serve Him "in the desert" will have gone!

Their service was to carry the holy things of Jehovah through the wilderness. For us the wilderness pictures the world we pass through, and our business as Christians is to show Christ. We must guard the holy things of our faith as carefully as the Levites guarded the tabernacle and its sacred contents, and we must do it by the testimony of our lips and the testimony of our lives.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realised capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it at fifty, in its wilderness form. As a picture, he leaves only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

As to the numbers of the respective families, one can only confess that lack of proper diligence is the reason of being able to say nothing of them. Assuredly there is meaning in it all worthy of Him who has inspired it; and those who seek in faith and humility, here as elsewhere, shall find.

The Kohathites were then numbered, that is, the males from 30 to 50 years of age, and found to be 2,750 (v.36). It seems clear that not all of them were expected to serve at all times. They would likely take turns carrying the furniture of the tabernacle. So there would be no hard labour for anyone.

Gershon and Merari might need wagons and oxen to carry the boards, and so on, but not Kohath. His charge was too precious to trust to anyone or anything but himself. So it was his high and honoured place to carry it all upon his shoulders. What a privilege, for example, to be allowed to carry the ark, the table, or the golden lampstand! Suppose he had looked for the help of oxen in his holy service. Would that not have shown a complete failure to value his high calling?

To bear burdens required strength. Now God would not overtax the strength of anyone called to labour for Him. So God called no one to the Levite work of carrying burdens before the age of thirty. And He asked no one to continue that service after fifty. Only the Gershonites and the Merarites gained from the help of the wagons. But the Kohathites also shared in this care not to overtax any Levite's strength. What a thing it was, and is, to be the servants of God. He, the Almighty, thinks of them, and considers them.

Numbers 1 and Numbers 2 set down the number of each tribe except Levi, again and again. Numbers 3 and Numbers 4 set down Levi's number in the same way. This was an expression of His rights as Lord of Israel. He had title to take their number, for they were all His own. Had He not had a right to them, had He not prospects in them, He would not have counted their sum. Scripture says the same of His title in another part of His dominions: "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names" (Psalm 147:4). That is His sovereignty among the heavenly hosts. In Malachi 3 the Lord says of His saints that they shall be His in the day when He makes up His treasured possession. He may number them, hide them and secure them, because they are His own.

A Levite had no difficulty about his work. It was all settled for him with divine precision. God laid down the burden each had to carry and the work each had to do. He made it so clear that it left no room for the questionings of the heart. Each man could know his own work and do it. And let us add: the work got done as each one carried out his own specific duties. It was not by running here and there, doing this or that. The service of the tabernacle went forward properly because each man stuck closely to his own particular calling.

In Numbers 4 we come to another important point — the carrying of the vessels of the sanctuary through the wilderness. The chapter now takes up in detail what the Kohathites had to do. It was the highest form; it was what brought the service closest to Christ. On the outside it did not look so impressive, as we shall see later. It does not follow that the service which makes the greatest show or noise among men is the most honourable in God's eyes. We often go wrong about what really carries the most weight. There is one sure test of value: it is always Christ. Whatever brings a person nearest to Christ, and brings out Christ most, is always the best.

The Kohathites were then numbered, that is, the males from 30 to 50 years of age, and found to be 2,750 (v.36). It seems clear that they would not all be expected to serve at all times. They would likely take turns carrying the furniture of the tabernacle. So there would be no hard labour for anyone.

When we looked at Numbers 3 and 4, we noticed that the sons of Kohath had the privilege of carrying all that was most precious in the instruments and furniture of the sanctuary. So they received none of the princes' offering. Their high and holy service was to carry these things on their own shoulders, and not to use wagons or oxen. The more closely we examine the things placed in the care of the Kohathites, the more we shall see what they picture. They stand for the deeper and fuller ways God has shown Himself in Christ.

The priest's appointment regulated Levite service. The Levites had no more room for self-will in their service than the men of war had in their position. God settled it all, and this was a clear mercy to everyone whose heart was right. A person with an unbroken will might find it a hardship, a tiresome duty, to hold the same place or do the same kind of work. He might long for something fresh — some variety in his work. But where the will was subdued and the heart adjusted, each one would say, "My path is perfectly plain; I have only to obey."

The Levites were divided into three groups under the leadership of Kohath, Gershon and Merari. But Aaron's son Eleazar controlled the first of these groups, and his son Ithamar controlled the second and third.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are old enough for service. Each one of them finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realised capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty. As a picture, that means he leaves only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

Christian service calls for a certain amount of maturity, no doubt different levels of it for different tasks. And a time comes when active service is over. This may not be at age 50, but it could be any time. When the Lord comes, our 'window of opportunity' to serve Him 'in the desert' will have gone!

They open with His commandment to Moses to take the number of the tribes, and Moses does this with great exactness and care. Chapters 1 and 2 set down the number of each tribe except Levi, again and again, and chapters 3 and 4 do the same for Levi. This was an expression of His rights as Lord of Israel. He had title to take their number, for they were all His own.

So we find the numbering of the Levites completed — not just of the children of Israel. Now the sons of Gershon are brought before us on their own, not mixed in with the fighting houses of Israel. But once their service has been clearly defined, they too are linked with the work and counted in together.

They were to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the covering of badger skins, the hanging for the door of the tabernacle and the one for the gate of the court, all the hangings of the court, their cords and other furnishings connected with these. These speak first of the moral perfection in the life of the Lord Jesus. They speak also of the moral righteousness of the saints of God (the linen hangings of the court)... "For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev. 19:8)

Gershon and his sons had charge of the coverings and the fine linen. Gershon means exile, a stranger. The fine linen is a picture of righteousness. The coverings and hangings divided off and separated the different parts of the tabernacle, so they must carry the meaning of separation. His service points us to this: we are separated ones and strangers in the world. Practical righteousness must bear witness to this separation.

Scripture insists on such a separation everywhere... And how we need to insist on it, when Satan and the world outside, joined with the flesh within us, unite to break through it and destroy it if they can! These linen curtains look frail enough for a wall! Unbelief constantly pours contempt on what is of God... Today the Church itself thinks little of separation; and yet he who holds by the Word of God will find the reckoning of eternity to be on his side.

Gershon had nothing to do with the boards and pins; and Merari had nothing to do with the curtains or the coverings. And yet they were very closely connected, for they depended on each other. "The boards and sockets" would not do without "the curtains;" and the curtains would not do without the boards and sockets... Suppose a Gershonite decided to drop "the curtains" and take up "the pins." He would have left his own work undone, and he would have interfered with the work of the Merarite.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realised capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty — or in the picture, only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

Here they are numbered (apart from Israel, but still numbered) from infants of days, marked out for service long before it could begin. God gives strength before He claims service. But from their earliest days He counts them apart, according to His grace and intentions. There were three principal houses — Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. In Numbers 4 each house and its sons receives its own line of service, and there the count begins again from thirty years old and upward. This matters greatly. In practice, nothing is more important than that each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do, and stick to it once he knows it.

To bear burdens required strength. Now God would not overtax the strength of anyone called to labour for Him. So He called no one into the Levite work of carrying burdens before the age of thirty. And He asked no one to continue that service after fifty... What a thing it was, and is, to be the servants of God. He, the Almighty, thinks of them, and considers them.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of capacity fully reached (3 x 10). He leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty — in the picture, the point where the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

Here was Gershon's work: to carry the tabernacle and its coverings through the barren and howling wilderness. This was indeed true Levite service, but it was most blessed service. What corresponds to it in the Church now is what we should much seek after. It alone puts the Christian into his right place in the world — the place of a stranger. There could be little to attract anyone in the rams' skins and badgers' skins. Yet little as there was, it was still the high privilege of the Gershonite to take them all up and bear them cheerfully on his shoulders across the trackless sands... This is what makes the saint a stranger in the world — which is what the name Gershon means.

According to Numbers 4:3 and following, the Levites appear to have started their tabernacle service at the age of thirty. But Numbers 8:24-26 gives the age as twenty-five. It may be that they spent the first five years on probation, learning their duties. Once Israel had settled in Canaan, the work of carrying the tabernacle was over. From then on they started their service at the age of twenty. They laboured until they were fifty years of age.

The exact task decided the starting age: Levites began active service at 25 or 30. They retired into an advisory role when they were 50 (Numbers 3 and 4). Christian service also calls for a certain amount of maturity — no doubt different levels of it for different tasks. And a point in time comes when active service is over. This may not be at age 50, but it could be any time. When the Lord comes, our "window of opportunity" to serve Him "in the desert" will have gone!

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realized capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty. In type, he leaves it only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

The closing verses show that service as a Levite began at twenty-five years of age. After five preliminary years, full service began at thirty and continued until fifty. After fifty their heavy labours ended but they still ministered and kept the charge. Old age did not end their privilege of service but only altered its character.

They speak first of the moral perfection in the life of the Lord Jesus. They speak second of the moral righteousness of the saints of God (the linen hangings of the court). So the ministry seen in Gershon is this: insisting on the unique perfection of the Manhood of Christ, and on the fitting responsibility of saints to represent Him in their measure in their daily lives. "For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev. 19:8)

This is what makes the saint "a stranger" (as the name Gershon means) in the world. Suppose we are walking in the display of the character of the Lord Jesus. Suppose that in doing so we realise our place as in the wilderness. Then we may be sure it will give our character a very clear tone of the stranger in the world. And oh, how I wish we knew much more of this. The Church has laid down the rams' skins and badgers' skins, and with them the Gershonite character.

Gershon had nothing to do with the boards and pins; and Merari had nothing to do with the curtains or the coverings. And yet they were closely connected, and each depended on the other. "The boards and sockets" would not do without "the curtains." And the curtains would not do without the boards and sockets... Suppose a Gershonite decided to leave "the curtains" and turn to "the pins." He would then have left his own work undone and interfered with the work of the Merarite.

Nothing is more important in practice than this. Each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do. And once he knows it, he should stick to it... The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

If God called people to do His work, He will provide all that is needed to carry it on. The Gershonites and the Merarites had clear proof of this. Moses gave the Gershonites two wagons and four oxen, part of the offering of the princes of the twelve tribes when the Tabernacle was set up; and he gave the Merarites four wagons and eight oxen. To bear burdens required strength. Now God would not overtax the strength of anyone called to labour for Him. So no one was called to take part in the Levites' work of bearing burdens until he had reached thirty years of age. And no one was asked to continue that service after fifty years of age... What a thing it was, and is, to be the servants of God. He, the Almighty, thinks of them, and considers them.

The number of the Gershonites came to 2,630. We will see later that they were given wagons to carry the burdens given to them, so they would have charge of the wagons and the animals that pulled them.

On the march, their work was harder than that of the Kohathites. Moses allotted two wagons and four oxen... to the Gershonites, and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. God cared for both of these great families, and the family with the heaviest burden had the greatest help... He would not overtax the strength of anyone called to labour for Him.

Their area of service is set out before the census. They were to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the covering of badger skins, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle. They also carried the hanging for the gate of the court, all the hangings of the court, their cords and the other furnishings that went with them. These speak first of the moral perfection in the life of the Lord Jesus, and second of the moral righteousness of the saints of God (the linen hangings of the court).

There was little that was attractive about the rams' skins and badgers' skins. Yet, little as there was, the Gershonite had the high privilege of taking them all up and carrying them gladly on his shoulders across the pathless sand... it was the highest service of all to carry through the desert what pictured the character of Christ so clearly.

The curtains, coverings, and hangings which Gershon has to do with are in fact all lines of separation. They define the tabernacle itself, or mark off and separate the court from the wilderness around. So they speak, naturally and without strain, of the boundary lines of God's own enclosure — and the Church is such an enclosure in the world.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realized capacity; he leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty.

Each of them, with their sons, is given a line of service in Numbers 4, where they are numbered again from thirty years old and upward... Strength is given before service is claimed... Nothing matters more in practice than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do. And once he knows it, he should stick to it.

It was a special mercy to have the authority of a "Thus says the Lord" for everything they put their hand to... Each member of that remarkable tribe of workers had his own particular line of work. God's hand marked it out, and God's priest oversaw it. No one did what he liked, and no one simply followed another man. All bowed to the authority of God and did exactly what they were told to do. This was the secret of order among all eight thousand five hundred and eighty workers.

Three sons of Levi, in the persons of their descendants, carried out the Levitical service of the Tabernacle. The sons of Merari (3,200) carried the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, pins, and so on. The sons of Gershon (2,630) carried the curtains, the hanging of the court, and so on. The sons of Kohath (2,750) carried the holy vessels.

Their work was to care for the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars and sockets. They also cared for its related utensils, the pillars of the court, their sockets, pegs and cords. The boards of the tabernacle speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," and as united in one building, the Church of God. They were of acacia wood overlaid with gold, standing upright on sockets of silver. That is, believers are upheld on the basis of redemption, covered with Christ (the gold) and united together with bars of the same materials. The pillars of the court, made of copper and resting on copper sockets, speak of Christ as the Upholder of His people. Thus, in upholding them, He also unites them together. Merari therefore emphasizes the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another, as dependent on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Merari's service has to do with the house of God, the church of the living God. It has to do with holding up Christ as the way of access to God. It also has to do with supporting, strengthening, and steadying what is His witness in the world. His name — Merari, "bitterness" — speaks of the painful character of such service. Self-love will break down at that service, or run off into some eccentric path less burdensome to flesh and blood. Indeed in our day the family of Merari has dwindled to a very small number, and their work has been very badly done. Who cares for these boards and bars, and pillars and pins and cords? Who wants work of this menial kind, costing so much and bringing in so little?

Nothing but grace can make us Merarites, and the true Merarite is the true philanthropist, because he brings in the only thing that can bless. The very fact that a Merarite should have to take a place of sorrow is a convincing proof that the world is an evil place.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one of them finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realised capacity, and he leaves it, in its wilderness form, at fifty.

The closing verses show that Levitical service began at twenty-five years of age. After five preliminary years, full service began at thirty and continued until fifty. After fifty their heavy labours ended, but they still ministered and kept the charge. Old age did not end their privilege of service but only altered its character.

There was a special dignity belonging to the work of a Merarite, even though that work was merely attending to a few "pins" or "sockets." Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the very deepest interest and highest value. Touching the smallest pin of that wonderful tabernacle in the wilderness was a holy dignity and privilege. It was far more glorious to be a Merarite looking after the pins of the tabernacle than to hold the sceptre of Egypt or Assyria. Every pin, every socket, every curtain, and every covering was a shadow of good things to come — a foreshadowing of Christ.

Their work was to care for the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars and sockets, and its related utensils. They also cared for the pillars of the court, with their sockets, pegs and cords. The boards of the tabernacle speak of the basic facts of what believers are "in Christ," and of their being united in one building, the Church of God… So Merari stands for the ministry that unites believers to Christ and to one another. That uniting depends on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Such ministry is of great importance in our present day.

The Levites were to serve from the age of thirty to the age of fifty. That is, they were to give their years of maturity and physical strength to energetic service. It was their job to set up the tabernacle and take it down… and also to carry it and its contents when the people travelled.

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one such finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of realized capacity (3 x 10); he leaves it, in its wilderness-form, at fifty, or typically only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

The family with the heaviest burden had the greatest help… Carrying burdens took strength. God would not overtax the strength of anyone He called to work for Him. So He called no one to take part in the Levites' work of carrying burdens until he had reached thirty years of age, and He did not ask anyone to continue that service after fifty… What a thing it was, and is, to be the servants of God. He, the Almighty, thinks of them, and considers them.

Here they are counted (apart from Israel, but still counted) from babies only days old, marked out for service long before they could begin it… God gives strength before He asks for service. But from their earliest days He counts them apart according to His grace and His intentions. Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, with their sons, were each given their own line of service in Numbers 4, where they are counted again from thirty years old and upward… In practice, nothing is more important than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do, and once he knows it he should stick to it.

A Merarite might say, or think without saying, "What! Am I to spend the very best part of my life on earth — my strongest years — looking after a few tent pegs? Was this what I was born for? Is this to be my work from the age of thirty to fifty?"

It was enough for the Merarite to know that Jehovah had assigned him his work. That was enough to give dignity to what nature might think the smallest and lowest job. It does not matter what we are doing, as long as we are doing the work God has appointed for us. A man may follow what others would call a brilliant career… and all the while his life may prove to be only a splendid bubble.

Depending on the exact task, Levites started their active service at 25 or 30 years of age, and at 50 they retired into an advisory role… Christian service calls for a certain amount of maturity, no doubt different levels of it for different tasks. And a point in time comes when active service is over. This may not be at age 50, but it could be any time. When the Lord comes, our 'window of opportunity' to serve Him 'in the desert' will have gone!

The Merarites numbered 3,200, more than either the Kohathites or Gershonites (v.44). They received wagons for their service (ch.7:8), twice as many as the Gershonites. Verse 48 then gives the total of the three families as 8,580 — that is, the males between the ages of 30 and 50.

The MERARITES became a large branch of the Levites. They had charge of the heavier parts of the tabernacle, and to carry them they had four wagons and eight oxen.

Merari had charge with his sons of the boards, the sockets, pins and cords. These held the building together. In our notes on Exodus (chapter 26) we said that the boards of acacia wood, resting in the sockets of silver, picture Christ and His people. The bars of acacia wood tie the boards together. That framework pictures the building Ephesians speaks of, joined together as one — the church. The work of Merari suggests the thought of union.

His name — Merari, "bitterness" — points to how painful this service is. Self-love breaks down under it, or runs off into some odd path that is easier on flesh and blood. Today the family of Merari has shrunk to a very small number, and they have done their work very badly. Who cares for these boards and bars, and pillars and pins and cords? Who thinks of God's plan and pattern, and all the details of divine appointment? Who wants work of this menial kind, costing so much and bringing in so little?

Now comes the numbering of the Levites who are of age for service. Every one of them finds his place in this reckoning. He enters it at thirty, the age of full capacity (3 x 10). He leaves it at fifty, in its wilderness form. As a picture, he leaves it only when the creature stands before his God in the day of account (5 x 10).

There were three principal houses — Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each house, with its sons, received its own line of service in Numbers 4, where they are numbered again from thirty years old and up. Nothing is more important in practice than this: each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do, and once he knows it, he should stick to it. It also matters a great deal never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

If God calls people to do His work, He will provide all that is needed to carry it on. Of this the Gershonites and the Merarites had clear proof. Their work, when on the march, was harder than that of the Kohathites... Thought was taken for both of these great families, and the one which had the heaviest burden had the greatest help. What consideration there was in this!

It was enough for the Merarite to know that the LORD had assigned him his work. This was enough to give dignity to what nature might think the smallest and meanest matter. It does not matter what we are doing, as long as we are doing the work God has appointed for us.

Three sons of Levi, through their descendants, carried out the Levite service of the Tabernacle. The Sons of Merari (3,200) carried the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, pins, and so on. The Sons of Gershon (2,630) carried the curtains and the hangings of the court. The Sons of Kohath (2,750) carried the holy vessels.

Merari had charge with his sons of the boards, the sockets, pins and cords. These held the building together. The boards of acacia wood, resting in the sockets of silver, picture Christ and His people. The bars of acacia wood join the boards into one frame. That frame is a type of the building we read of in Ephesians, a building "joined together," the church. The work of Merari suggests the thought of union.

They, with their sons, each have a line of service given into their hands in Numbers 4. There they are numbered again from thirty years old and upward. Nothing is more important in practice than this. Each servant of God should know the work He has given him to do. When he knows it, he should stick to it. Be sure also that it is no small matter never to interfere with another's service. The Lord is sovereign in this. He divides according to His own will.

His name — Merari, "bitterness" — speaks of the painful character of such service. Self-love will break down under it, or run off into some odd path that is easier on flesh and blood. Indeed, in our day the family of Merari has dwindled down to a very small number, and they have done their work very badly. Who thinks of God's plan and pattern, and all the details of Divine appointment? Who wants work of this menial kind, costing so much and bringing in so little?

Let anyone take a firm, clear stand for Christ in the world... and there begin to set up "the sockets of silver." Be sure of it: such a course will bring much sorrow and bitterness of soul... Do you need further proof of this reading? Here is a striking one. We find very few people of the hard-working Merarite character. Why? Showing such a character always costs nature much labour and sorrow, and nature loves ease. Human nature never could be a Merarite. Nothing will make us true Merarites but deep communion with Him who was THE MAN OF SORROWS.

A special dignity belonged to the work of a Merarite, even though that work was only caring for a few "pins" or "sockets." Everything connected with the tabernacle was of the deepest interest and highest value... To touch the smallest pin of that wonderful tabernacle in the wilderness was a holy dignity and privilege. To be a Merarite looking after those pins was far more glorious than holding the sceptre of Egypt or Assyria.

If God calls people to do His work, He will provide all that is needed to carry it on. Of this the Gershonites and the Merarites had clear proof. Their work, when on the march, was harder than that of the Kohathites. Moses gave two wagons and four oxen... to the Gershonites, and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. Both of these great families had help, and the one with the heaviest burden had the greatest help... God called no one to carry Levite burdens before thirty years of age, and no one continued such service after fifty.