THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Similarly, the Gershonites and Merarites were listed by name and organized by their clans and families from the age of twenty-five to fifty. The descendants of Gershon were tasked with the care of the tabernacle's coverings, including the tent, the door curtains, the curtains for the courtyard, and various items that were deemed extra as mentioned (Num. 3:25-26). The Merarites, part of the Levitical lineage, were responsible for the tabernacle's structural components, including its pillars, bases, boards, pegs, and poles, along with other articles (Num. 3:36-37). Under the guidance of chariots, the Gershonites and Merarites transported what was entrusted to them, while the Kohathites bore the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders; as it says in the Book of Numbers: “then came ...
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the chiefs of Israel, the heads of their families, the chiefs of the tribes, who had charge of the number, and presented their offerings before the Lord, six covered wagons and twelve oxen, one wagon from each of the two chiefs, and one ox from each of them; and they presented these things before the tabernacle. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take of them; this shall be for the work of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt give it to the Levites according to the manner of their service. And Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites: two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon according to their service; and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merar according to their service, under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest: to the sons of Kohath he gave not, because their service is to carry the sanctuary; on their shoulders they shall carry it” (Num. 7:2-9).
Do you see how it was the custom for those with chariots to transport the sacred items, while only the Kohathites carried them on their shoulders? Palladius. What is the reason for this? Cyril. Because those who are granted greater honor and sanctity bear greater responsibility; in every aspect, this necessity for labor and the endurance of disproportionate suffering is linked to those who are holier and stand closer to God. Isn’t that true? P. Indeed, it is. К. That was how the Levitical lineage served. I believe this reflects a pattern of the sacrament. P. How do you mean? K. These two families, the Gershons and the Merarites, seem to symbolize the people under the law, namely Israel; while the Kohathites represent those who are sanctified in Christ through faith. Their responsibilities included care for the court coverings, the tabernacle skins, the pillars, boards, bases, pegs, and curtains, along with superfluous items, as stated in Scripture (Num. 3:26). The significance is in what is essential for service, but the Kohathites dared to carry the Holy of Holies—the very essence signified by Christ—not in a singular manner, but in many diverse ways: as the Ark, as the Showbread, as the golden lampstand, and as the golden censer; this is because, while divine in essence, He is multifaceted in action and knowledge. Certainly, 'the Word of the Father is alive and active' (Heb. 4:12), and furthermore He is life (John 11:25, 14:6) and light (Luke 2:32; John 1:7, 12), and the fragrance of spiritual offerings (Eph. 5:2). Thus, those committed to the commandments given under Moses focus on the essentials of the tabernacle; for the law holds no real significance unless understood in a spiritual context. However, those who boldly bear the Holy of Holies are completely holy in Christ, carrying nothing unnecessary but rather Immanuel Himself, as it were, resting upon them. P. You have articulated this well. K. But pay attention to this as well. P. What do you mean? C. Those who were assigned the excess items in the sacred tabernacle transported them using chariots; while the Kohathites proceeded, unaccompanied by chariots or anything else, carrying their burden on their shoulders. P. What is the implication of this? C. This indicates that the law is burdensome and heavy, evident in the fact that what was considered excess was not borne upon their shoulders, acknowledging the frailty of those under the law's demands. Consequently, the divine disciples addressed those who, after embracing faith, reverted to the service of the law by saying, ‘(Acts 15:10.)’ Therefore, the Kohathites, having taken upon their shoulders what symbolizes Christ, bore a burden that was light and manageable. Isn’t this in line with what Christ Himself proclaimed: ‘My yoke is good and My burden is easy’ (Matt. 11:30)?