Numbers 3:27-32: a reflection

27Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites. These are the families of the Kohathites. 28According to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the requirements of the sanctuary. 29The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, the screen, and all its service. 32Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the requirements of the sanctuary.

This passage assigns to the Kohathites, one of the Levite families, their particular duty in the service of the tabernacle: the care of the most holy things, the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, and the sacred vessels. It was a weighty responsibility, to be entrusted with the holiest objects of Israel's worship, and it was assigned specifically to them. Each Levite family had its appointed task, and this was the Kohathites': to keep and carry the holy things.

Notice the dignity of this assigned service. The Kohathites were entrusted with the care of the most sacred objects, a task of real honor and responsibility. It was not left to chance or to whoever wished; it was assigned to them as their particular duty, their place in the service of God's house. To be given charge of the holy things was both an honor and a solemn responsibility, a specific task in the larger work of worship, entrusted to them.

That points to something true of our own service to God. In the work of God's people, there are tasks assigned, each with its own dignity and responsibility; and each of us is given a place, a particular part to keep. Your assigned service may not be the most visible, but like the Kohathites' care of the holy things, it is a real trust, a genuine part in the work of God, to be kept faithfully. Do not despise the particular task God has given you to keep, or covet another's; receive it as the Kohathites received theirs, as a genuine trust and responsibility in the service of God. Keep faithfully the part that is yours, whatever it is, honoring it as the Kohathites honored their charge of the holy things, for every appointed task in God's service carries its own dignity.

Lord, this passage assigned the Kohathites their particular duty in your service: the care of the most holy things, the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, and the sacred vessels; a task of real honor and responsibility, entrusted to them as their appointed part. Show me what that means for my own service to you. In the work of your people, there are tasks assigned, each with its own dignity and responsibility; and each of us is given a place, a particular part to keep. My assigned service may not be the most visible, but like the Kohathites' care of the holy things, it is a real trust, a genuine part in your work, to be kept faithfully. Keep me from despising the particular task you have given me to keep, or coveting another's; help me receive it as the Kohathites received theirs, as a genuine trust and responsibility in your service. Help me keep faithfully the part that is mine, whatever it is, honoring it as they honored their charge, for every appointed task in your service carries its own dignity. Help me keep my part faithfully, Lord.