We are in Numbers chapter four with our word for today which is a phrase. בְּנֵ֖י מְרָרִ֑יthe sons of Merari, Merarites. It is used 28 times in the Old Testament, 4 times in our chapter. Let’s look at these. Numbers 4:29-33, 42-45 As for בְּנֵ֖י מְרָרִ֑י the sons of Merari, you shall list them by their clans and their fathers’ houses. From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, everyone who can come on duty, to do the service of the tent of meeting. And this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases, and the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their equipment and all their accessories. And you shall list by name the objects that they are required to carry. This is the service of the clans בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֔י of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.” … Those listed of the clans בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י of the sons of Merari, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come on duty, for service in the tent of meeting— those listed by clans were 3,200. This was the list of the clans בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses.The Merarites numbered 6,200, of whom 3,200 were the proper age to serve. They camped to the north of the tabernacle and had Zuriel as their leader. They had an especially difficult task because they carried the heavy boards of the tabernacle, as well as the bars, pillars, and silver sockets into which the pillars fit. No wonder Moses gave them four wagons and eight oxen to help them with their work. Aaron’s son Ithamar supervised their ministry. The Gershonites and Merarites had wagons for carrying their burdens, but the Kohathites had none. The sacred furniture of the tabernacle had to be borne on the shoulders of the sanctified servants of God. When David had the ark brought into Jerusalem, he didn’t obey this rule, and it led to the death of Uzzah. The Kohathites were burden-bearers, but their burdens were precious, very important to the people, and appointed by the Lord. Certainly they considered it a privilege to carry the sacred furnishings of the sanctuary on their shoulders through the wilderness. The chapters also remind us that not everybody has the same burdens to bear. The Gershonites and Merarites could put their burdens on wagons, but the Kohathites had to carry their burdens on their shoulders. There are some burdens we can share, but there are other burdens that only we can bear. I’ll close with this great passage as way of reminder. Galatians 6:1-10 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
