NUMBERS 4
Then these three branches of Levites were counted again – this time for all the men between thirty to fifty years old, who would serve at the tabernacle. Previously, every male had been counted for the purposes of redemption, and the total had come to 22,000 precisely. This time, for the purpose of service, the total was 8,580. These men, although they were of fighting age, would never fight but would dedicate themselves to serving God. Kohathites would carry and care for the holy things from within the tabernacle – once the priests had covered them up. Gershonites would be responsible for all the curtains of the tabernacle, the courtyard, the entrances and all the waterproof coverings of those curtains. What a lot of folding they would have to do! Merarites had to carry all the structural metal and wood, the bases, pegs, posts, and similar heavy materials. They must have had the biggest muscles!
Moses is very particular with the details of exactly how the holy tabernacle fittings and equipment was to be dismantled, stored, and transported. For these Levites, it was literally a matter of life and death! Each item was wrapped in a specific colour of cloth and also covered with a waterproof layer for protection. The colours are significant: blue for the ark of the covenant, which had already been wrapped in the dividing curtain or ‘veil’; blue followed by scarlet for the Table of the Bread of Presence; blue for the lampstand and its associated equipment; blue for the golden Altar of Incense; blue for all the other articles and equipment found in the Holy Place. Blue represents heaven itself, whilst scarlet – the colour of blood – speaks of blood and sacrifice on earth; therefore the only way to the presence of God (blue) was through the scarlet of sacrifice. The Bronze Altar of sacrifice was covered in purple, symbolising royalty and a union of the heavenly blue with the earthly sacrificial scarlet. The curtain of the tabernacle was a combination of blue, purple, and scarlet threads too. When, later, Jesus wore a purple robe before his crucifixion (Mark 15:17), it spoke of a combination of God-Man who became our doorway to the heavenly kingdom of God.
The organisation of the work for the tabernacle, and the people set aside to do this, was precise and personal; every man knew his role and his responsibility. Just as in the church, where every gift and ministry is specific and indispensable, these men must have had a genuine sense of amazement that they had been chosen for these vital tasks, and had been drawn so near to the presence of their Lord. And as we learn to serve more effectively, we also draw closer to him and experience his glory more intimately. Is there ever a better life than this?
The Big Picture 