In Numbers 1, God instructs Moses to take a census of all the men who are "able to go to war." In chapter 2, God instructs Moses and Aaron to arrange the camp according to their tribes around the tabernacle. God designed a specific arrangement, and when He picked up the cloud of glory for them to follow as He led, He wanted them to march in a specific order that He created. Their arrangement also brought order in the camp that would allow them to be able to depart in an orderly fashion. Can you imagine about 2 million people trying to pack everything they own and move together? I can barely get my three motivated and together to get out the door some days. These details reveal that God is not a God of chaos or confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
This chart is basically a summary of chapter 2. Oftentimes, these details can seem unimportant and redundant. However, this time studying this book, I saw a glimpse of an application to me personally where before it may have seemed just repetitive and insignificant.
When God wanted them to depart from one place to another, God ordained that the ark go before them all, followed by the east side (Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun). The Levites went next carrying specific parts of the tabernacle. Next, came the tribes of the south side (Reuben, Simeon, and Gad). Following the south side came the tribes of the west side (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin). Bringing up the rear guard included members of the north side (Dan, Asher, and Naphtali).
God had a specific order, specific responsibilities that He determined beforehand for each group. The Levites were broken down into three families with God's duties delegated among the three sections:
1. Gershonites-they transported the coverings, hangings, and framework of the tabernacle and all the equipment that pertained to them (Numbers 3:25-30). They were given two carts and four oxen to help carry their load (Numbers 7:7).
2. Kohathites-they carried the furniture of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:31-32). Numbers 4:1-20 explains the procedure in which they were to be careful to follow. They were given no carts or oxen and were required to carry everything on their shoulders (Numbers 7:9).
3. Merarites-they had an especially difficult task because they carried the heavy boards as well as the bars, pillars, and silver sockets (Numbers 3:36-37). Because of their heavy load, they were given four carts and eight oxen to carry their responsibilities of the tabernacle (Numbers 7:8).
In chapter 8, we see some specific instructions for the priests and Levites. Every priest had to come from Aaron's family and no Levite was allowed to take the place of a priest. Levites were not permitted to serve at the altar, wear the priestly garments, or enter the sanctuary. These distinctions in no way minimized the importance of their work because whatever the job God gives has an important part in the larger picture.
What's the point in mentioning all of this? Do you wonder if the Kohathites ever questioned why they had to carry their items while the others got carts and oxen to help with theirs? Do wonder if the tribe of Dan or the others from the north side got tired of bringing up the rear and wanted to lead instead? Do you wonder if the priests ever looked to the Levites with pride because of their "important" jobs or the Levites feel shame because they couldn't do the job of the Levites? Do we ever look around us and wish we had someone else's job or task or even the way they get to carry their burden? Sometimes other people's jobs look easier or more glamorous.
Each tribe and priest had a tailor-made job to do that was important in the success for them all. None was more important that the other because all were necessary. We, too, are no different. We each have been given a specific spiritual gift and task to accomplish in order for the success of the whole body of the church. Just like the Israelites did not get to select their job or order, we don't get to select our gifting or assignments. "It is God who gives us our talents. It is He who gives us our intelligence. I have nothing within me that wasn't given to me by God. With these truths, pride cannot take root" Heather Holleman, Seated with Christ.
Miriam, Moses' sister, was plagued with the dreadful and shameful disease of leprosy for being discontent with the position God had given her (Numbers 12). This story has always stricken fear in me, and it still does, but reading this in context with the rest of the chapter this time brought out a different aspect of simply knowing your God-given place.
Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were sent by God to help the nation of Israel and everybody in Israel knew that the three of them were God's chosen servants, but that Moses was the leader. However, Miriam went to Aaron and began speaking against Moses. Her problem: she wasn't fond of Moses' new wife. This complaint turned into questioning Moses as a leader and saying that God hasn't spoken only through Moses but them as well. She didn't begin her grumbling by Moses' authority and leadership but first by complaining about his wife. I'd never considered the root of her complaining. There is always a deeper reason than what we focus on in our complaints. Is it possible that she felt threatened by Moses' new wife, another woman that might take her place? Also, reading in context from the previous chapter, God had sent the Spirit on the seventy elders to help Moses with the burden of leading the people. The combination of these two things may have left Miriam feeling like her own authority and position were slipping away. So she began complaining and drug her brother Aaron into her insecurities. She didn't like her position that God had given her so she began questioning those who threatened it. Miriam and Aaron each had their assigned ministries, but Moses was God's chosen leader for Israel and no one could take his place. It was God who gave Moses his position and authority. Her challenge led to disastrous consequences and she is used as an example of what not to do for all time.
I believe one of Satan's biggest weapons for believers is the trap of comparison which leads to discontentment where God has assigned us. This is nothing new. He can use the same scheme because it is effective. Miriam looked around and compared her position to others, and we fall into this same trap, especially in the age of social media. As we see posts and pictures of everyone's artificially perfect lives, we overestimate their happiness, prestige, notoriety, amount of "likes" or followers, and by comparing ourselves to them, we find ourselves dejected and feeling less than. This constant comparison, not exclusive to social media alone, can make us respond in one of two ways: either with superiority and arrogant pride or insecurity and jealousy. Believers are not immune. When either of these two sinful attitudes creep in, the enemy has a foothold by allowing distance in relationships with brothers and sisters. Unity is disrupted. People who are supposed to be on your same team are now perceived as your competitors. The enemy has gained ground. Those who are supposed to be fighting with you actually end up fighting against you.
"When this happens, it is no accident. Friendly fire in the church or in our most vital relationships is almost always code for enemy activity. He knows his odds of success jump markedly whenever he can cause heart-wrenching division between us, isolate one or two of us, and separate us into warring or stonewalled camps...The gospel we share in common is meant to be shared together, both the giving and receiving of grace, inspiring each other to pure living and spiritual fervency so the gospel can shine outward to others through out loving, enriching relationships...He [satan] hates--hates! when God's people get their act together, when we're united" Pricilla Shirer, Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
What would happen to the church if we live in the freedom of the gospel, no longer attaching our identity to what the world says is an accomplishment or a failure? What would happen if we no longer wasted time clamoring for another's position because theirs looks better and more attractive? What if God invites us to live a hidden life, with no recognition, no cameras, no attention, and no earthly rewards? What if our job is to bring up the rear instead of the leading the way in the front or carrying burdens on our shoulders instead of the "luxurious" cart? What if we could recognize that God has a unique gift and purpose for each individual and none is more important than anyone else's? "Am I willing to labor in obscurity doing my job as unto the Lord or will I be disgruntled over the lack of recognition? My attitude toward every job should be...'I am an unworthy servant. I have only done my duty'" Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins. There is no competition in God's service, for "each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (3:5-8).
These are struggles that I have been wrestling with over the last year on both sides of the issue feeling both attacked and invisible. This has been a season of angst spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It's been a time of stripping in many areas, but it has led me to continual prayer and soul searching. My prayer is from Proverbs 4:25, "Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left, turn your foot from evil." He is the One who determines my jobs and everyone else's as well as the timing of them.
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