Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival. Then the Kohathites set outThe Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi. Their specific role was to carry the most sacred objects of the tabernacle. This task was not just a logistical duty but a sacred responsibility, highlighting the importance of reverence and care in handling holy items. The Hebrew root for "set out" (נָסַע, nasa) implies a journey or departure, indicating a purposeful movement towards fulfilling God's command. This reflects the Christian journey of faith, where believers are called to move forward with purpose and dedication in their spiritual walk. carrying the holy things
The "holy things" refer to the sacred objects within the tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. These items were central to Israel's worship and symbolized God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) signifies something set apart for divine service. This underscores the concept of holiness in the Christian life, where believers are called to be set apart for God's purposes, carrying His presence into the world. the tabernacle was to be set up
The tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, was the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The phrase "was to be set up" indicates a preparatory action, ensuring that the place of worship was ready before the arrival of the holy items. This reflects the importance of preparation and readiness in worship, emphasizing that our hearts and lives should be prepared to receive and honor God's presence. before their arrival
This phrase highlights the order and structure in the movement of the Israelites. The tabernacle was to be erected before the Kohathites arrived with the holy things, ensuring that everything was in place for the continuation of worship. This orderliness reflects God's nature as a God of order and peace, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33. It serves as a reminder for Christians to prioritize order and preparation in their spiritual lives, ensuring that their actions align with God's will and purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. KohathitesA Levitical clan responsible for carrying the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altars. They were descendants of Kohath, one of Levi's sons. 2. Holy ThingsRefers to the sacred objects used in the worship and service of God within the tabernacle. These items were considered extremely holy and were to be handled with utmost care and reverence. 3. TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice. 4. Israelites' JourneyThe context of this verse is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. This journey was marked by the movement of the tabernacle and the presence of God leading them. 5. WildernessThe setting for the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges. It was a place of testing, growth, and reliance on God's provision and guidance. Teaching Points Reverence for the HolyThe Kohathites' role underscores the importance of treating what is holy with reverence and care. In our lives, we should approach God and His Word with the same respect and awe. Order and ObedienceThe structured movement of the tabernacle and its furnishings teaches us the value of order and obedience in our spiritual walk. God is a God of order, and following His instructions leads to blessing and peace. God's PresenceThe tabernacle was a symbol of God's presence among His people. Today, we are reminded that God dwells within us through the Holy Spirit, and we should live in a way that honors His presence. Preparation and ReadinessThe setting up of the tabernacle before the Kohathites' arrival illustrates the need for preparation and readiness in our spiritual lives. We should be prepared to serve and worship God at all times. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the role of the Kohathites in carrying the holy things teach us about the importance of reverence in our worship today? 2. How can we apply the principle of order and obedience seen in the Israelites' journey to our daily walk with God? 3. In what ways does the tabernacle as a symbol of God's presence challenge us to live differently, knowing that God dwells within us? 4. How can we ensure that we are spiritually prepared and ready to serve God in our daily lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence in a powerful way. How did it impact your faith and actions? How can you seek to experience His presence more regularly? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 25-31These chapters provide detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and the sacred objects, emphasizing their holiness and the importance of following God's commands precisely. 1 Chronicles 15This passage describes how David organized the Levites, including the Kohathites, to transport the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, highlighting the continued importance of their role. Hebrews 9This New Testament passage reflects on the tabernacle and its furnishings as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice and the heavenly sanctuary. People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces Paran, SinaiTopics Arrival, Arrived, Bearers, Bearing, Carrying, Forward, Holy, Journeyed, Kohathites, Ko'hathites, Moved, Objects, Raised, Ready, Sanctuary, Tabernacle, WhilstDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 10:14 5223 banner Numbers 10:11-14 7266 tribes of Israel Library November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 10:21 NIVNumbers 10:21 NLTNumbers 10:21 ESVNumbers 10:21 NASBNumbers 10:21 KJV
Numbers 10:21 Commentaries
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