A Burden and A Privilege (Numbers 4)

Numbers 4:47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,

An entire chapter is given to instruct the priests and various Levitical groups about how to dismantle and carry the tabernacle and its equipment. For the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites, it was both a burden and privilege to do this job.

Carrying everything was hard and heavy work. Unpacking and repacking was tedious and repetitive. And they no doubt at times found it hard. But it was also a privilege. They were the ones chosen to represent the entire nation in dealing with spiritual things. Only they were qualified to do this job, and what a privilege that was to be so closely involved with the things of God.

As we serve the Lord in our local church, there are things that are difficult but what a privilege! It may get a bit tiring each week teaching your class, preparing a lesson/sermon, cleaning the building, caring for the babies, opening up the building, etc., but what a privilege to be involved in something eternal, something that God started and God is building. What a privilege to serve in something that brings God great glory for all eternity.

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God…