Numbers 4:34–49, Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Numbers 4:46-48 (NIV-inspired translation)46 Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel registered all the Levites by their clans and families.47 All the men from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve and carry the Tent of Meeting were counted.48 The number of those registered was 8,580.

There are things in life that must be done at their proper time. Schooling, marriage—people often say these things happen in their own seasons. Earning money and building a life also seem to come with their own timing. And when we miss those windows, we sometimes feel like we’ve fallen behind. We might feel regret or even wish we could hold on to the past and try again.

But life is longer than we think—not necessarily in years, but in that we have time to begin again without regret.

From a personal perspective, I think one of the biggest challenges in these moments is impatience. We feel like everything needs to happen quickly, that speed equals success. But often, nothing matures us more than the experience of waiting.

Yesterday and today, the weather was so beautiful—and hot. But the forecast says rain and colder temperatures are on the way. Just like that, even the things that seem eternal change. If we understand this truth deeply, we’ll start to see that waiting brings us a great deal of wisdom.

As we read today’s passage, many may find the book of Numbers somewhat tedious. The repeated names and recurring themes can feel monotonous. But here’s something unique: only Levites between the ages of thirty and fifty were counted as eligible to serve—specifically, to carry the items of the tabernacle. A total of 8,580 men were registered.

That is, only those between the ages of thirty and fifty were considered fit to serve in this physical role in the portable tabernacle.

In the past, fifty was considered the age when people would sit down and be served meals. But these days, fifty is when you’re still expected to carry the table yourself! In America, people often throw big celebrations for a man’s 40th birthday—perhaps because, in earlier times, even living that long wasn’t guaranteed. Time moves on, and our age no longer means what it once did. A sixtieth birthday celebration might feel unnecessary now, seventieth birthdays are quietly observed with family, and it’s the eightieth that truly gets recognized.

In the book of Numbers, thirty to fifty is described as the prime age for work, the age of strength. Considering that the tabernacle was mobile and needed to be carried through the wilderness for forty years, it’s no surprise they chose men in their physical prime. But it wasn’t the entire nation—it was the Levites within that age range who were given this duty.

In today’s culture, some may see thirty as still too young for serious responsibility. Others might read this passage and think that, after fifty, it’s time to retire from church work. But this would be a misreading of Scripture. We must understand the historical context. Life expectancy at the time was much shorter, and fifty likely marked the beginning of physical decline. The fifty of that time is not the same as our fifty today.

Meditation

Is this the season in your life where you are meant to work diligently?

Intercessory Prayer

1. Please pray for Jungja Park Kwonsanim, who was recently hospitalized due to high liver enzyme levels. She has now been discharged.

2. Let us also pray for Open Church to continue growing and thriving! Share the church with others—your heartfelt recommendation can make all the difference.