It's A Kohathite Kind of Thing!

Have you ever thrown your hands up into the air and asked God “what are you doing with my life?” Well maybe you never did it publicly, but have you ever experienced that kind of thing in private? Perhaps you are in a season of reflection and find yourself wondering “is this all there is?” “I thought there was supposed to be more”, “What happened with the great work that God had planned for me?” “I have labored and stayed faithful all these years but where is the fruit?” Then you take a look at someone else’s life, perhaps a brother or sister, and see all their accomplishments and it only makes you feel worse. The more you think about it the more you find yourself falling head long into a sea of hopelessness, engulfed by confusion and overwhelming frustration that are the hallmarks of a perceived wasted life.

In the Bible there was just such a brother, or rather a whole family line of brothers who could have felt this way. They were the Kohathites. They were one of three male siblings of the sons of Levi. All three sons and their clans were given the responsibility of taking care of the tabernacle while the Israelites traveled in the desert. First we have Gershon, he and his clan were given the task “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.” (Numbers 3:25-26) You might say they were in charge of the soft goods.

Then we have another brother and his clan, Merari, they were in charge of the care of “the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes.” (Numbers 3:36-37) Let’s say these brothers were in the charge of the hard goods.

This brings us to our brother, Kohath, and his clan in question today. Their responsibilities were far greater. They were in charge of “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.” (Numbers 3:31) Now it would seem that they definitely had the more prestigious position. While the Gershonite’s and the Merarite’s had important duties in their care of the tabernacle, the Kohathite’s sole focus was the care of the furnishings that would be contained in the Holy of Holies.

You might be wondering, how could the Kohathites feel frustrated? It would seem they had the most rewarding not to mention impressive position among the brothers. They are like the CEO of tabernacle transportation. They were among the elite, the notable, the chosen few. How could they possibly understand any of the thwarted hopes and aspirations that one experiences when faced with a past seemingly devoid of accomplishments?

While the Kohathites indeed had a most rewarding position what isn’t readily apparent is that accompanying this privilege were certain protocols that had to be followed that the other brothers did not have. Firstly, transportation was more laborious.

“So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.” Numbers 7:6-9

Did you notice that the brothers were allowed to have carts and oxen to help them carry their burden but the Kohathites had to bear the weight on their own shoulders? Have you ever felt like others seem to have it easier then you do? It seems that they get all the help they need to make their burden light but the weight of what you carry is on only you. Do you feel privileged?

Secondly, transportation was specific.

“and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die.” (Numbers 4:15b)

This was very serious level of obedience that they were called to. They were required to carry the holy things as they were mounted on poles by the priests. They were not to touch them. One slight of hand could lead to death. Have you ever felt that you are called to a higher level of accountability and obedience then others? Does it seem that some people you know get away with things that God won’t allow for you? I mean the other brothers had carts and oxen to help and if they even touched their cargo they were done for.  Can you relate?  Do you feel privileged?

Lastly, transportation was veiled.

“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying”. (Numbers 4:15)

While the Kohathites were fully responsible for the care of the holy things every single one of them had to be covered by the priests before they were to be transported. The Kohathites were never given the blessing of seeing what they were carrying. It would always be a mystery to them. They knew what they were carrying was of vital importance to God and the work of the priests but they never saw it with there own eyes nor touched it with their own hands. Do you ever feel like what you are doing for the Lord is covered? That you don’t see it or have tangible evidence that it even exists? Do you feel privileged?

Have you ever felt like you never see the fruit from your labor in the Lord? Have you ever wondered if your life held any importance as you served Him? Are you throwing up your hands in frustration wondering “what is the use?” Perhaps you are a Kohathite. All of what they did was a testimony of “walking by faith and not by sight”. Habakkuk 2:4 tells us that “the righteous will live by faith.” This is the only verse from an Old Testament prophet that is repeated three times in the New Testament. This one verse describes the full exposure of their ministry in the Lord and as New Testament Christians it comprises the nature of our walk with God to its fullest measure. If we truly desire to live the righteous life God desires for us, we are going to have to do it by faith.

Are you walking by faith trusting God? Are you being faithful to what He has asked you to do even though it seems like a waste of time? Are you thinking that the burden is too much for you to bear alone? Are you frustrated because you can’t perceive anything productive from your labor? Let me encourage you to walk by faith and not by sight. God has entrusted you with a privileged position that wasn’t meant for any one else. Some are meant to have the aid of carts and oxen and readily see the rewards of their work in the Lord and some aren’t. Don’t be discouraged by that but press on. Consider today that perhaps you haven’t seen any tangible blessing in your labor for the Lord is because maybe, it’s just a Kohathite kind of thing.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58