Sat.’s Devo - The Three Divisions

Read: Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26 The Levites were divided into three divisions: the Kohath’s, the Gershonites and the Merarites. We are divided into three divisions : body, soul and spirit. The Kohath’s were responsible for the most sacred objects the Spirit. There were specific instructions of how to tear down the Tabernacle and what each piece of furniture was wrapped in for travel. The Ark was first covered with the veil then goatskin and blue cloth. The Table of Shewbread was covered with blue cloth then scarlet cloth, then goat skin. The Menorah was wrapped in blue cloth, then leather. The altar of incense table was covered in blue cloth then goatskin along with the furnishings. The brazen altar was covered in purple cloth, then the utensils then goatskin. I can’t help but think that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and this Tabernacle is in us. The goatskin being our skin and the blue and red and purple cloths being our blood, vessels and corpuscles. I would think that the Ark would be in our hearts, the shewbread having to do with our mouths and what we eat spiritually. The Menorah being our eyes and how we see spiritually. The brazen altar being our bellies and our whole digestive system. It has to do with how we process information and what is created inside us and reproduced on the earth or expelled as waste. The Kohathites were in charge of all these sacred pieces and were under Eleazar. Kohath means “waiting and obedient” and Eleazar means “God is helper”. When we are waiting on the Lord and obedient to him then God helps us carry out his will on the earth. All of the pieces of the Tabernacle are in working operation in our lives. The next group was the Gershonites. They were responsible for carrying the loads and general service. Gershon means “outcast”. They were to move the equipment. These would be the systems in our body that are closest to our main organs. The Merari division were just in charge of carrying loads. They were in charge of the soul Merari means “bitter”. They carried the emotions and the thoughts and desires. I wonder if the Gersonites felt like outcasts since they had a lesser responsibility than the Kohaths and if the Merari clan was bitter because all they did was carry loads. The Merari clan was like the body - the bone structure that carries the load and everything that has to do with the body. God thought they were all important and made sure their names were recorded. God gave instructions for cleansing the camp of sin and evil. He was also keeping infection from spreading. The site and infectious had to camp outside of the camp. He dealt with issues of their heart and had them make right the wrongs between one another. As the body of Christ, we all have different functions and some seemingly are more important. If we find ourselves just “carrying the load” while others are enjoying the better places will we get bitter or feel like outcasts are will we function as a body and realize that we all share the same reward. A special test was given for jealousy. If a man thought his wife was being unfaithful and had no witness, she would be brought to the priest and made to drink bitter water. The bitter water was made from the dust of the Tabernacle floor and holy water. If she was guilty then her stomach would swell like she was pregnant but there would be no baby. Her womb would shrink and she would be barren. If she was innocent then nothing would happen to her belly and she would be fertile. The same goes for us. If we defile our relationship with our husband, Jesus, we can look like we are pregnant with God’s work, but we will produce no fruit and not be able to bring life. But, if we are faithful to him then he will let us see the fruit of our labors. In Mark, the Sadducees who didn’t believe in the resurrection came to Jesus and asked him a question to trick him into saying whether there was a resurrection or not. Jesus bypassed their question and went straight to the point. He proved that there was a resurrection and also that they were in error. I’m sure they didn’t like that. Another religious leader realized how well Jesus had answered that question and asked him what was the most important commandment given by God. Jesus told him to love God and then love people. The man agreed and Jesus told him that he was not far from the Kingdom of God. Jesus went to the Temple and was teaching. He asked them why they believed that the Messiah would be David’s son when David called the Messiah his Lord. Jesus was stirring the wheels of their minds to think for themselves not what they had been taught all their lives. Most of the teachers of their day didn’t know what they were talking about. Lord, may we rejoice to do your will no matter how small or seemingly unimportant. May we live to see the fruit of our labors.