devotional post # 2260

Numbers 3:14-17

Num 3:14 And Yahveh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, and this is what he said,
Num 3:15 “Muster the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you will muster.”
Num 3:16 So Moses mustered them according to the Yahveh’s word, as he was commanded.
Num 3:17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari.

growing strong together

The names of Levi’s three sons mentioned here are significant, particularly when seen together. Gershon (Hebrew, Gershom) means “foreigner.” Kohath (Hebrew, Kehat) means “gathered.” Merari, which (like the name Miriam, or Mary) means “bitter,” — but connotes strength.

So, the Levites, God’s special forces army, obediently gathered together (like strands on a rope) as foreigners among their own people, and drew strength from the struggles they faced.

When we do this church thing, it often involves struggle and hardship. We are called to love one another when often we do not even like each other. But God wants to manifest his strength in us — together.

LORD, we surrender to your will. Make us strong as a single diverse body in Christ.