ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tokonaki Sune 12, 2021 

each one with his task of serving or carrying

takitaha ‘a e tangata ‘ene ngāue mo ‘ene kavenga 

Nomipa 4 (Numbers 4)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Continuing the instructions concerning the Levites, we have a minute account of their work in connection with the movement and marching of the people. The family of Kohath were made responsible for carrying the holy furniture. This furniture they were not allowed to see or touch. Aaron and his sons first entered the Holy Place and covered each sacred piece, affixing the staves which were to rest on the shoulders of the Levites. On the march these were in charge of Eleazar, who also carried the anointing oil and the sweet incense.

The duty of carrying the curtains and the tents which constituted the Tabernacle itself devolved on the Gershonites.

The boards and bars and pillars and all other things which formed the foundations on which the sacred hangings rested were committed to the care of the Merarites.

All this is technical, and yet it cannot be studied without realizing how it emphasized the importance of the relation of the people to Jehovah. The sacred symbols of that relationship were to be as carefully guarded on the forward march as when they stood in proper order at the center of the encamped people.

Nomipa 4:49

‘I he fekau ‘a Sihova na‘e vahe kinautolu, ‘o fai ‘e Mōsese, ‘o takitaha ‘a e tangata ‘ene ngāue mo ‘ene kavenga: na‘e pehē hono vahe ‘o hangē ko e tu‘utu‘uni ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese.

Numbers 4:49

According to the commandment of the Lord through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the Lord commanded Moses.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide on the Book of Numbers*

(Num 4:49) The organization and order of the Levites.

According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered: We remember that this census was commanded by God and had a definite purpose in His plan.

Each according to his service and according to his task: Each of these had a role to play in doing the work of tabernacle, and God made them all dependent on each other to do that work.

 "It is worthy of note that these Levites, although they were all equally consecrated to God, had not all exactly the same work to perform. God is not the God of all uniformity. There is a wondrous unity of plan and design in all that he does, but there is also an equally marvelous variety." (Spurgeon)

Paul says the church is to work like a body - many parts, looking different, doing different jobs, meeting different needs, some more visible, some less, but all essential - and all with the same DNA code.

Much trouble is caused in the service of the LORD by those who desire a different calling than they have, or who are jealous of those who have a different calling, or by those who exalt one calling and abase another. Everyone has a place and a job, and all can set themselves to do it.