“Carry your weight!” What does this American idiom really mean? We use it to remind others working with us that each person needs to do their assigned part, filling one’s responsibilities to whatever is being done by a group of people. For example:

“I know I’ve been sick, but I’ll carry my weight on the project, don’t worry.”

“If you don’t carry your weight; our presentation will never be finished on time.” “He needs to start carrying his weight around here, or we’ll have to let him go.

The idiom can also mean that certain people of importance can influence others in decision making.  For example:

“Your argument does not carry a lot of weight with me.” “The senator’s testimony carried a lot of weight with the council.”

But what tops the charts in defining “carrying your weight” is that each person in any group, family, or company must do one’s share to fulfill completion of any project.  For example: “The weight is the burden that is the responsibility of someone.” “Tom, you must be more helpful around the house; we each have to carry our own weight.” 

God commands Moses and Aaron to now count the men from thirty to fifty years of age to carry the weight of the Tent of Meeting.  If they follow God’s guidelines, no man will be overloaded with too much to bear. God is in the details, for sure. What God has declared holy must remain holy unto Him. So, God directs each family group of men with WHAT and HOW to carry the weight of all that is connected to the Tent of Meeting.  All guidelines as directed by the appointed sons of Aaron must be obeyed—it’s a matter of life or death! 

Numbers 4

The Kohathites

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: ² “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. ³ Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

⁴ “This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things. ⁵ When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law. ⁶ Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

⁷ “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it. ⁸ They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

⁹ “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. ¹⁰ Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.

¹¹ “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

¹² “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

¹³ “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. ¹⁴ Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.

¹⁵ “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

¹⁶ “Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

¹⁷ The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ¹⁸ “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. ¹⁹ So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. ²⁰ But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Gershonites

²¹ The Lord said to Moses, ²² “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. ²³ Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

²⁴ “This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: ²⁵ They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, that is, the tent of meeting, its covering and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, ²⁶ the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. ²⁷ All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry. ²⁸ This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

The Merarites

²⁹ “Count the Merarites by their clans and families. ³⁰ Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. ³¹ As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, ³² as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. ³³ This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

³⁴ Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families. ³⁵ All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, ³⁶ counted by clans, were 2,750. ³⁷ This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

³⁸ The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families. ³⁹ All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, ⁴⁰ counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. ⁴¹ This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.

⁴² The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. ⁴³ All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, ⁴⁴ counted by their clans, were 3,200. ⁴⁵ This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

⁴⁶ So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. ⁴⁷ All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting ⁴⁸ numbered 8,580. ⁴⁹ At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.

Thus they were counted, as the Lord commanded Moses.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Each group of men carried their share in specific ways.  Poles were put into place by the priests; then and only then, could the men pick up the poles at the priests command and put them on their shoulders for carrying their heavy, assigned part of the Tent of Meeting.

Camping is exhausting unless—

If you have ever been camping with your family we will more readily understand this concept of each person carrying their weight as we “break up camp”.  We must do our part as we take down the tent, fold it carefully so it will fit back into the bag.  We must dig up all the tent stakes so they are not lost. Ashes from the campfire must be dosed with water and sand for safety.  The area around our campsite must be free of debris making it “better than the way we found it.”  We take down the lines for drying clothes, pack the cleaned kitchen utensils and pots, repack any leftover foods, put more ice in the chest for storing cold food for the trip home, and then finally put our duffle bags into the vehicle.  Our family of five each had specific tasks according to their age and strength.  We were a well-oiled machine when each person did their part and didn’t quit until the job was done!  Camping taught our young kids great lessons of responsibility.  As adults, they know how to carry their weight!

As committed believers to Jesus and to the church Jesus built upon the shoulders of his disciples like Peter, John, and later Paul; we can see readily now how all of what we have learn today in Numbers applies to our lives now!  We have learned from past experiences of working together in any group situation how carrying our own assigned weight is important to fulfilling the command Jesus gave to all of us!  (Matthew 28:20) And yes, it IS a matter of life or death for lost souls seeking a Savior!

Jesus gives every believer a part of His work to carry out with a detailed assignment to fulfill within the congregation and beyond the church building for perfectly holy reasons—

“He (Jesus) makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16, NLT

Pause to reflect before responding… Am I carrying my weight as God’s Holy Spirit directs? 

Need more help? Read the entire book of Ephesians written for the church that proclaims Jesus as Lord.  Paul, inspired by God, gives us specific ways to carry our weight as we influence others for Jesus!  It is a matter of life or death for lost souls!

Lord,

Thank you for all you teach us with specific ways to carry our weight.  You lead us from our comfort to compelling actions that will lead others to you and your saving grace. Show me my part to carry with your wisdom and strength to fulfill what you say.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

In Jesus Name, Amen