Numbers 4 Devotional

Kept Safe Near Holy Things

“In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry.”Numbers 4:19 (BSB)

Before the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons go in, take down the veil, and wrap the ark, the lampstand, the altars, and the other holy furnishings in cloth and leather (4:5-14). Only then may the Kohathites carry them, and they must not touch the holy objects or even look at them, or they will die (4:15, 20).

That sounds severe, but notice God's reason. He does not want the Kohathite clans cut off. He arranges all of this so that they will survive when they approach the most holy things (4:18-19). His holiness is real and dangerous, and his care is just as real. The other clans receive their loads too, down to the tent pegs and ropes (4:32, 49). Hebrews says the blood of Jesus now gives believers boldness to come into the holiest place (Hebrews 10:19). You can come near to God without fear, because he himself has made the way.

To think about: Do you tend to approach God casually or fearfully, and how does the way he has opened through Jesus reshape both?