The sons of Kohath in Numbers 4:15-20 really intrigued me when I read about them the other day. They were the Levites responsible for carrying the Holy objects of the Tabernacle. Others took care of the Tabernacle coverings and the all the rods and sockets that formed the framework of the Tabernacle, and they were given carts to haul those items in, but not the Kohathites. They carried the Holy objects on their shoulders. But what caught my attention was that Aaron and his sons were to go in and cover the Holy items and then the Kohathites could go in and carry them. It made me wonder if those men ever saw the items they were responsible for. They saw the covered forms and were well acquainted with the weight of their responsibility, but they might not have known the details of those items.
There are Christians today that are called to do as the Kohathites did. They carry responsibilities on their shoulders—responsibilities given to them by God—that they don't know the details of. All they see is the covered, shrouded, form. All they know is the weight of carrying that responsibility.
Even when we don't know the details, when we're simply told to carry the burden, we need to be faithful to the task God has given us.
Can you imagine if the Kohathites had gotten tired of packing something around and simply left it by the wayside? Sure, it's hard for me to imagine because I know they were carrying Holy furnishings from the Holy Place of God's Tabernacle, but what about the things I set down and leave by the wayside because I don't know what's under the shroud? How many times have I left behind something important, even though it was a responsibility given to me by God?
I can't always understand the assignments God gives me, but that doesn't mean I can walk away from them. I need to be faithful to the tasks God has given me—whether I can see and understand them or not.
If the burden we're given to carry is shrouded, it might just be holy. Be faithful to the task God has assigned to you.
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Oh, Peej - this is an INCREDIBLE lesson - and I'm so thankful you did the research for this piece. What an incredible reminder of the importance of obedience despite not knowing what our load is.
ReplyDeletethank you for this, Peej.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the story of the ant carrying a lost contact lens in answer to a prayer. I needed to be reminded to do my job even if it's mundane and seemingly pointless.
Vonnie
Wow. How true!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. My name's stamped on this pattering from God's heart to your heart to mine. So great to know how faithful God is to accomplish what He's asked us to do. You know how much I needed this reminder right now. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling very convicted right now, and I don't even know of what! :) I got goosebumps when I read: "How many times have I left behind something important, even though it was a responsibility given to me by God?" And this line almost made me gasp: "If the burden we're given to carry is shrouded, it might just be holy." Thank you, Peej. You are an awesome blessing.
ReplyDeleteps: I think your blog is fabulous! You've been awarded the Fabulous Blog Award - check it out. :)
http://catrinabradley.blogspot.com/2009/02/got-me-some-bloggy-love.html
Thank you for making my life better by sharing of yourself and your God given gifts.
Love
Cat Bradley
Yes, this really makes me want to examine things in my life. So very good Peejie!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an awesome, unique perspective to draw from the sometimes dry descriptions of rituals and regulations in the OT! Powerful and insightful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peej, for this reminder that many of the responsibilites we carry seem to have nothing "holy" about them, But God knows what these things are and how they are intwined with others.
ReplyDelete