First, moving the sanctuary (1-20). The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the most holy things at the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons directed the work of setting up and tearing down the tabernacle. God gave meticulous instructions on how the various instruments were to be moved. Nothing was to be touched directly. Everything was to be covered and wrapped and only then allowed to be transported by poles. Each man was directly assigned his work and what he was to carry from the sanctuary. Touching or curiously looking at the holy things resulted in death. God is holy. God also wants his servants to treat his work as holy. Second, the Gershonites and Merarites (21-33). When the Israelites broke camp, the Gershonites carried all the curtains and coverings related to the tabernacle. The Merarites carried all the structural elements used to setup the tabernacle. Each man was also assigned the specific things to carry. Both clans were directed by Ithamar son of Aaron.
Application: Lord, you are holy in all your ways. Thank you for giving me your work to do. Help me to do your work out of reverence and love for you.
One Word: Do God's work in his way