“And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:”
Context:The book of Numbers is the fourth book in the Old Testament of the Bible. It primarily focuses on the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their preparation to enter the Promised Land. In Numbers 4, God gives specific instructions to Moses regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, in transporting and handling the holy articles of the Tabernacle.
The Ark of the Testimony:The verse mentions the “ark of testimony.” The Ark of the Testimony, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It contained the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark symbolised God’s presence among the Israelites and played a central role in their worship and the administration of God’s covenant.
The Tabernacle:The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary constructed according to God’s instructions, where the Israelites worshipped God during their wilderness journey. It consisted of various components, including the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. The Ark of the Testimony was placed in the Most Holy Place, which was separated from the Holy Place by a veil or curtain.
Responsibilities of Aaron and His Sons:In this verse, God specifies that when the Israelite camp was to move, Aaron and his sons, who were from the tribe of Levi, were responsible for taking down the covering veil and using it to cover the Ark of the Testimony. This was to ensure that the sacred articles were properly protected during transportation. The veil acted as a barrier, concealing the Ark from view and emphasising the holiness and separation of the Most Holy Place.
Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:The veil separating the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place held significant symbolism. It represented the separation between God’s holiness and the sinful nature of humanity. The high priest, representing the people, could only enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement, and even then, he had to bring sacrificial blood to cleanse the people’s sins.
From a spiritual perspective, the veil points to Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that through His sacrifice, the barrier between God and humanity was removed. Now, through faith in Jesus, we have direct access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-20).
The responsibility given to Aaron and his sons in handling the veil and the Ark reminds us of the importance of revering and protecting God’s presence and the sacred things associated with worship. It also highlights the need for obedience and attention to detail in carrying out our responsibilities in service to God.
In conclusion, Numbers 4:5 teaches us about the Levitical responsibilities of Aaron and his sons in taking down the covering veil and covering the Ark of the Testimony when the Israelite camp was to move. The verse symbolises the separation between God’s holiness and humanity’s sinfulness, which was later bridged through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
