Chapter Summary

The service of the Kohathrites, Gershonited and Merarites.

Discussion Questions for Numbers, Chapter 4

1. Why were these groups of people chosen to take care of the Tabernacle? Why weren’t all the people involved in Tabernacle service? How do you think you are specially gifted to serve? What reliable Christian in your life has affirmed this giftedness? What are you doing to pursue your giftedness?
2. Why do you think these ages were chosen for these tasks? How does your age or season in life lend itself to a particular area of serving? How have your past experiences helped you serve others in the local church and in other areas of your life?
3. Since scripture affirms that believers “are God’s Temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV), what things in the present day could do you think may correspond to “the most holy things” (v.4, ESV) of the tabernacle? How do we take care of these things in our pursuit of holiness?
4. What was the overall purpose for all the fine adornments that were a part of worship in the Tabernacle? In what ways should we as believers put forth our best to honor God?
5. What was the “ark of the testimony” and why was it covered when the people were on the move? How can we have a godly fear and awe for God while in close relationship with Him? What does this look like practically?
6. What was the “bread of the Presence” or “showbread” (v. 7, ESV) according to Leviticus 24:5-9? How does the purpose of this bread compare to the purpose of the bread taken at the Lord’s Supper? Along with the Lord’s Supper, how can believers in the local church keep the promises of Christ’s sacrifice in the forefront of their minds?
7. How might more mundane tasks, like setting up utensils in verse 14, be of great importance to Tabernacle worship? What are some mundane tasks that believers do to serve the Lord? How might we adjust our attitude to more appreciate the less grand service that we do for the Kingdom?
8. Why would the holiness of the Lord cause the servants of the Tabernacle to die if they “look on the holy things for even a moment” (v. 20, ESV)? What two ways does the holiness of God lead to death even today? What are some ways that Christians can best communicate the truth of the holiness of God leading to death, either our own death or the sacrifice of Jesus?
9. Why were all the servants numbered? What is the place for organization in our worship today? When is less structure appropriate in our worship today? How does each area, the structured and the less structured, honor the Lord in our worship?
10. How do Christian leaders, pastors of a local churches, compare and contrast with how the Lord had Moses lead the people of God? What are the qualifications for a pastor according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7? How can a Christian best follow the lead of the pastors that the Lord has provided at the local church? How does this look in your life?

Key Words/Phrase

Service, v. 4.

Characters

God, Moses, Aaron.

Strong Verse(s)

49