Numbers 4 tells of the duties of the different clans of Levites regarding the service of the Tabernacle.To the Merarites, the duty given was “to carry loads”.
No special assignments to the holy things. No great honor of sacrifices. Just carrying stuff.
The Kohathites, on the other hand, were different.
“The duties of the Kohathites at the Tabernacle will relate to the most sacred objects…” -Numbers 4:4
What an honor! What a privilege! What a terrifying assignment…
“But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die… Do not let the Kohathite clans be destroyed from among the Levites!” -Numbers 4:15b, 18
I’m sure there were those in the Merarite clans who were jealous of their brothers, of the honorable task given to them. Doubtless they were discontent and felt slighted and overlooked because their job seemed less important.
There were others though, I’m sure, who understood the gravity and weight that comes with such a responsibility, the sometimes crushing weight of the call, the looming fear that a mis-step could lead to certain tragedy.
For them, there must have been peace in being given a lighter burden, and joy in knowing that the place of danger wasn’t theirs to take, or to bear.
For them, there was peace in trusting God for the place they were in, not questioning Him for the place they weren’t.
Which place are you?