Numbers 4
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CHAPTER 4
The Kohathites (4:1–20)
1–3 The Lord next instructed Moses and Aaron to take a second census of the Levites, this time counting only those males between thirty and fifty years of age. This was the age group eligible for serving in the tabernacle.13 Out of the 22,000 Levites, 8,580 were eligible for tabernacle service (verse 48).
4–16 The Kohathites are mentioned first because they were assigned to carry the most holy things14 when the Israelites moved camp (verse 4). Aaron and his sons first had to cover all the holy things with a blue cloth, because the Kohathites were not allowed to touch or even look at the actual holy objects located within the tabernacle (verses 15,20). The blue cloth would easily identify the objects that were most holy; less holy objects were covered with scarlet or purple cloth (verses 8,13). Only after Aaron and his sons had finished wrapping and covering everything could the Kohathites come and carry the holy things to the next camp (verse 15), using the carrying poles provided for that purpose.
17–20 How are we to understand the sternness of God in causing these Levites to die if they somehow touched or even looked at the holy things? (verses 15,20). Suppose they did it accidentally, or with good intentions (see 2 Samuel 6:6–7). How can a loving God punish people so harshly?
From a human standpoint these questions are valid. It does at first seem that the revelation of God given in the Old Testament is different from that given in the New Testament. However, there is, in fact, no difference; God is the same (see Exodus 15:3–5 and comment).
What seems like sternness to us is actually a manifestation of God’s kindness. We have already learned that God is so holy and so powerful that no man can come near Him and live (Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy 6:1516). Even righteous people, such as Moses, still have the sinful nature they inherited from their first parents, and thus cannot come into the immediate presence of a holy God.15 And yet we see that God in His mercy desired to dwell with the Israelites, His people. To do so without their dying, He had to place strict limits on how close they could come to Him. He invited the people to have fellowship with Him but He could not permit them to defile Him. If we could grasp even to a small extent the awesomeness and immensity of God, the Creator of the universe, we would not be so surprised that people could die if they came too close to Him; it’s like coming too close to the sun. That such a God would choose to live with His people and give them safeguards so that they might not perish is proof indeed that He is a God of love.
In Romans Chapters 9–11, Paul wrote at length about God’s holiness and love, His justice and mercy, His kindness and sternness–all existing side by side. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you,provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off (Romans 11:22). This passage from Romans could be considered the central message of the book of Numbers.16
The Gershonites (4:21–28)
21–28 The Gershonites were responsible for the outer curtains and coverings of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:25–26). Because these things were not among the most holy objects, the Gershonites could safely handle them.
The Merarites (4:29–33)
29–33 The Merarites were responsible for the structural parts of the tabernacle, such as the frames, posts and bases (Numbers 3:31–32).
The Numbering of the Levite Clans (4:34–49)
34–49 After the Levites were numbered, each was assigned his work (verse 49). If God assigns the work, then each person’s work will fit smoothly into the whole. If we choose our own work without regard to God, we will create tension, disruption and disunity. God has assigned us to work together, as one body, under His direction (1 Corinthians 12:4–27; Ephesians 4:7,11–13).