Our God is a God of order.

The big picture is that God is taking the Israelites to the Promised Land, but there were things to do and things to put in place along the way.

In the Book of Numbers, the people were ordered or arranged into four groups – Warriors / Workers / Worshippers, and Walkers. In chapters 1 and 2, we saw the numbering & the arranging of the warriors. Moses was told to number all the males 20 years old and above from each of the 12 tribes who could fight. The total was 603,550 warriors.

Chapters 3 and 4 show the numbering of the Worshippers and the Workers - The Priest and the Levites. v.1-13. We also see that God singled out the family of Aaron to be the priest and the family of the Levites to serve the priest. The Levites were divided into three families: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. And each family had specific responsibilities to the tabernacle.

God is not the God of all uniformity. There is a wondrous unity of plan and design in all that he does, but there is also an equally marvellous variety.

1. Aaron & his sons were given the duties of the priesthood, and the rest of the tribe formed the more monotonous, really repetitive, dull duties of ministry and transport.

2. Gershonites (21-26) - eldest son, pitched westward. Cared for hangings & curtains.

3. Kohathites (21-26) - related to Aaron, pitched southward. Cared for sacred vessels.

4. Merarites (21-26) - pitched northward. Cared for the boards & sockets. It was enough to know that his place & charge were God-appointed.

Even carrying a peg became honourable when God had allotted that to a man as his share (37). Each person is vital to the work of the Lord, no matter what task God assigns. No task is trivial. Some Levites had heavier burdens than others, but God had given the assignments, and He would enable them.

1 Pet.2:9 tells us, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

In these verses, Peter reveals every believer's Identity / Purpose & Destiny. Peter is specific when he tells us the precise reason for our existence. He says in verse 9b that we exist for this reason: "that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." This is the full-time destiny of a royal priest -- to make the glories of the king known.

We are set apart for God's use. Each of us has a part to play in God's kingdom. Each of us has been assigned a role to play, and we should do it cheerfully, no matter how small or big.

Can you be content with one peg or the heaviest piece? Better to carry a peg of the tabernacle than wield the sceptre of Egypt!

Application Question:

Our God is a God of order. There must be order in our worship and service. Are you looking for positions in service, or are you willing to do the job assigned to you?

Quote:

“Much trouble is caused in the service of the Lord by those who desire a different calling than they have, or who are jealous of those who have a different calling, or by those who exalt one calling and abuse another. Everyone has a place and a job, and all can be about doing it!” - David Guzik.

Prayer:

Lord, it's your grace that has chosen me. But I realise that you have chosen me not just to get into heaven, but you have chosen me to be holy and do the job that you have assigned for me in your body. Help me to be faithful. Amen.