Numbers 4 ORDER IN MOVING THE TABERNACLE I see through the eyes of the historical record the Israelites watch the pillar cloud rise from the Tabernacle as evidence of God's will that it is time for them to move forward. Aaron and his sons, the family of priests, go into the Tabernacle, each to their varied tasks to cover the furniture in the ways God had prescribed. The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holiest is taken down and moved forward to cover the ark. Then a leather covering was put over the whole thing, and over that there was placed a third covering of blue. That was the only piece of furniture that was covered with a colored cloth so everyone would know where the ark was when they were moving. No one would be able to carelessly approach that ark in peril of their life.
Any time changes are to be made in the service of God in which we are engaged, we must be careful this is being done according to God's will. There may be times when something must be done in order to further the Gospel and fulfill the commission the Lord Jesus Christ gave before He ascended into heaven. In reaching out to new places, we must commit ourselves to doing that work according to the Word of God. In making any additions or subtractions regarding assembly practices, it is incumbent on us to be sure God has His place in the center of that work.
The table of showbread with the bread on it was covered with a blue cloth and all the vessels used in relation to that table were placed on that cloth. Over them was spread a scarlet cloth, and over that was the leather covering wrapped around it. Each article of furniture: the golden altar, the lamp stand and brazen altar were covered in a designated way. The lamp stand and golden altar were covered in blue, and the brazen altar in purple. Over these the covering of leather was placed. Blue typifies the testimony of heavenly things here on earth. Such things give us spiritual light by which we can understand divine truth, the reason and value of worship as sweet incense, and fellowship with God Himself. Scarlet speaks of the price of redemption by blood and as a redeemed people we can come into the house of God without fear and find our spiritual food in God. Purple is the royal color that reminds us of God's satisfaction that He finds in His Son, the Lamb of God, who fulfilled all God's righteous demands when He was sacrificed on the cross in our place.
When all the furniture was properly covered, the Kohathites from thirty to fifty years old stepped up to carry those burdens out of the Tabernacle and carry them as designated by God. The Gershonites then came to remove the cloth fence around the courtyard, the roof coverings and all the equipment that was needed to hold those things together and in place. Right behind them came the family of Merari from the west side of the Tabernacle to take the posts of the fence, the boards of the Tabernacle, the sockets that kept the wood off the ground, the pegs and all the things used for the structure of the Tabernacle. Every man knew what he was responsible for and a holy order was maintained in the dismantling of the Tabernacle into movable parts so it could be moved to another location.
Some of God's people are involved in, and responsible for, unseen activities in the work of the Lord. Others have a work to do that is related to the Lord's people themselves, and others have a more open and public work to do. When everyone knows the part of the whole work for which we are responsible, the work of the house of God goes well. If one person is missing or refuses to do what is their responsibility, the whole work suffers.
The Tabernacle would seem to melt down before the eyes of those looking on. In the same way when the destination was reached, it would rise like a growing thing as it quickly took shape and the cloud settled down upon it again. Those who are in the strength of their lives, need to be exercised before God as to how they can fulfill their work in harmonious fellowship with all those laboring in God's things.
Our service for God is not based on what is convenient for me, or what I like to do best, but on where God has placed me and on what I am capable of doing. Anything we do for the Lord; we are to do it with our might. We usually have twenty years or so when our strength is upon us and we can bend our best efforts to accomplish suitable goals for the Lord. Let us do what we do with an enthusiastic heart for God and in fellowship with those around us who have the work of God burning in their hearts.