the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Numbers 4:16-33
The respective assignments of the three families of the Levites can be compared to the principal forms of ministry in the assembly: prophets, pastors and teachers . . . (Ephesians 4:11), the first presenting Christ in relation to wilderness needs (Kohathites), the second seeing to the collecting together of curtains and coverings, suggesting responsibility in the assembly for practical witness (Merarites), then the last, responsible for the framework, speaking of the foundations of the faith (Gershonites). Collaboration between the three families was indispensable to ensure that the building was complete. A Kohathite could be employed in carrying the ark, whilst a Merarite was perhaps only responsible for a bundle of cordage. But it is neither the importance nor the apparent nobility of the task which counts in the Lord’s eyes. It is faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2). Either with two talents or with five, the servant faithful over a little will rule over much (Matthew 25:21-23). Let us refrain from jealousy of another man’s service, or on the other hand from under-valuing it. "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?" (Romans 14:4). Only the true Aaron is competent personally to assign "every one to his service and to his burden" (v. 19). And what security the Levite possessed! Guided by the High Priest, he knew what to do and how to do it.
