Numbers 4:17-23: a reflection

17The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 18“Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; 19but do this to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint everyone to his service and to his burden; 20but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.” 21The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 22“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families; 23you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old: all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.

As the Levites are assigned their duties in caring for the tabernacle, God gives a solemn warning about the Kohathites, who carried the most holy things. They were to handle the sacred objects, but with great care and reverence; Aaron and his sons were to assign each man his particular task, and the Kohathites were not to look upon the holy things casually or presumptuously, lest they die. The holy was to be approached with reverence, not treated carelessly.

Notice the reverence with which the holy things were to be handled. This was a high privilege, to carry the sacred objects of God's dwelling; but it was not to be done casually. There was to be careful order, each man assigned his task, and a deep reverence for what was holy, a recognition that these things belonged to God and were not to be treated lightly. The privilege of drawing near to the holy came with the responsibility of approaching it with reverence.

That is a needed reminder for us, who can grow casual with holy things. We have been given great access to God, to his presence, his word, his table; and familiarity can breed a careless, casual approach, handling the holy as though it were common. But the holy is still holy, and God is still God. Approach God and the things of God with reverence, not with a casual carelessness. Let your access to God be marked by awe as well as intimacy, handling his word, his worship, his presence, as holy, not common. The privilege of drawing near to God is great; do not let it become casual, but approach the holy with the reverence it deserves.

Lord, you warned that the Kohathites who carried the most holy things were to handle them with great care and reverence, each assigned his task, not treating the holy casually or presumptuously. Remind me of that, for I can grow casual with holy things. You have given me great access to you, to your presence, your word, your table; and familiarity can breed a careless, casual approach, handling the holy as though it were common. But the holy is still holy, and you are still God. Help me approach you and the things of you with reverence, not with careless familiarity. Let my access to you be marked by awe as well as intimacy, handling your word, your worship, your presence, as holy, not common. The privilege of drawing near to you is great; keep me from letting it become casual, and help me approach the holy with the reverence it deserves. Give me a reverent heart before you.