Didn't See That Coming...

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Receive their gifts, and use these oxen and wagons for transporting the Tabernacle. Distribute them among the Levites according to the work they have to do.” So Moses took the wagons and oxen and presented them to the Levites. He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonite division for their work, and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite division for their work. All their work was done under the leadership of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders. [Numbers 7.4-9]

Because the Tabernacle was a "mobile" tent, it made sense that it should be transported in the most efficient way possible - on wagons. 

One must remember that in terms of time and technology, the wheel was still a relatively recent development (measured in millennia) in human history. Wagons were not so much an item of human transportation as much as they were a utility for carrying heavy loads. This is supported in the significance of the miracle that the Israelites' shoes did not wear out in the wilderness.

With this established, why then, would the most holy objects not be allowed on the most advanced method of transportation? I mean, really, couldn't they have made a highly-decorated gold-plated wagon to serve that purpose? Why not?

There is an important lesson about God embedded in the details of this historical fact! 

God will share His glory with nothing - especially not technology! Why? Because (thousands of years later we are privileged to see this even more clearly than ancient Israel) when technology serves to relieve man of 'burdens,' man, consequently and increasingly, sees less need for God.

There are likely several other spiritual reasons for carrying the Ark of the Covenant and the sacred objects on the backs of priests and not on wagons, but the reason here stands out: people who rely more on technology tend to rely less on God.

The instruction to carry the 'sacred objects' on the backs of the priests served to remind Israel of their dependence upon God and only God. This also speaks to the subject of uncomplicated 'relationship' with God independent of technology or other aid.

We would do well to keep our own relationship with God as uncomplicated as possible (says me while typing this utilizing computer equipment and the internet...). Wow, I didn't see that coming when I set out to write this!

Father, I am reminded today of the need for relationship with You that depends on nothing but You and me. Help me to utilize technology as a convenient tool, but to never become so dependent upon it that it distracts from my relationship with You.