Numbers 4:29-33

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Duties of the Sons of Merari

29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house. 30 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 31 And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 32 and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry. 33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Nu 4:29–33.

Main Points:

1. The Merarites' Role: They were responsible for the structural components of the Tabernacle—its boards, bars, pillars, and sockets—essentially the framework and foundation.

2. Service Age and Census: Like the other Levitical families, the Merarites were counted for service from 30 to 50 years old, highlighting the organized and age-specific roles within the Tabernacle service.

3. Importance of Their Task: Their work underpins the physical stability of the Tabernacle, underscoring the significance of every role in God's service, no matter how behind-the-scenes or foundational.

4. Spiritual Application: This passage reminds us of the value and necessity of each person's service in the church, illustrating that all contributions are vital to the body of Christ's function and health.