I was reading Numbers 7 this morning. Under the direction of Moses, the craftsmen had completed the Tabernacle and it had been consecrated. The leaders of each of the tribes brought some very practical offerings to the Lord, 6 covered carts and 12 oxen. They would be very useful as the people were still in the wilderness, moving whenever and wherever the pillar of cloud by day, or the pillar of fire at night led them. When you read about all the poles, fabric, leather covers, lights etc that were a part of the Tabernacle, you can clearly see how useful carts would be.
We read that the Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting.” So Moses gave them to the Levites responsible for the tent and furnishings, but he specifically didn’t give any to those responsible for the Ark of the Covenant and the Altar, as they had been specifically designed with poles to be carried on their shoulders. We blogged a few months ago about the time when many years later David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, as recorded in 2 Samuel 6, on the back of a cart and how one poor guy died when steadying it on the journey.
I was challenged by a couple of points in the passage. Firstly, that I can’t rely on other people’s relationships with God! I am designed to carry the presence of God with me in every part of my life, which will involve some sacrifices on my behalf and will require me to develop spiritual muscles. I need to be soaking myself in His word and in prayer, and I need to be ready to move where He leads me. Walking near someone else who’s carrying God’s presence might be easier than carrying it myself, but it won’t help me if I trip or stumble along life’s journey.
Secondly, when Israel carried the Ark (the presence of God), they were undefeated. As a result, their enemies would go after the chest, knowing that was the only way that they could defeat Israel. It’s the same for me (and you) today, the enemy will try to rob us of the presence of God. We need to be constantly aware of this and to keep watch, so that he can’t.
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