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Transcription
The transcription discusses the responsibilities of two groups, the Gershonites and the Kohathites, in caring for the tabernacle and its contents. They were in charge of different aspects, such as the coverings, curtains, altars, and the ark. The work was both honorable and mundane, involving dismantling, carrying, and setting up the tabernacle as the Israelites traveled. These tasks are similar to the work of people who care for worship spaces today, such as cleaning, moving equipment, and preparing elements for communion. The personal worship option is to give thanks and show appreciation for those who work behind the scenes to make worship possible. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for March 11, 2024. Today we will be reading from Numbers, chapter 3, verses 21 through 32. Two Gershon belonged to clans of the Libnites and the Shemites. These were the Gershonite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. The Gershonites clan were to camp on the west behind the tabernacle. The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasath, son of Lal. At the tent of the meeting, the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent. Its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes, and everything related to their use. To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amorites, the Isserites, the Hebronites, the Usulites. These were the Kohathite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. The leader of the families of the Kohathites clans were Elisathan, son of Uziel. They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use. The chief leader of the Levites were Eleazar, son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. These two groups were given specific parts and components of the tabernacle for which they were responsible. It is important to remember that the tabernacle and its contents comprised a portable center of worship for the children of Israel. Within the tabernacle's most holy and inner space was the place where God would come and reside during Israel's worship. The work of these groups represented two perspectives. One was the great honor to be responsible for caring for God's house. The other perspective was more mundane. It was hard and tiring work to dismantle the tabernacle, cover and protect the components, carry them as the Israelites traveled, and then set everything back up at the new location. That hard work was done for the people and for God. Those are people who care for our worship spaces today. Some clean, others move equipment and furnishings, some file music, another prepares the elements for communion, and so on. The work can be tiring and mundane, but these people do it for the rest of us who worship in the spaces. And they do it for God, who is always present, not only in our worship, but also in their work and service. Your personal worship option today is to give thanks today for those among us who serve and work behind the scenes to make our worship possible and comfortable. When you see them at work, express your appreciation. Let them inspire you to find the tasks you can do and then do your best.
