Teamwork

So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel listed all the Levites by their clans and families. All the men between thirty and fifty years of age who were eligible for service in the Tabernacle and for its transportation numbered 8,580. When their names were recorded, as the LORD had commanded through Moses, each man was assigned his task and told what to carry. And so the registration was completed, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. [Numbers 4.46-49]

Some time ago, I wondered how in the world Israel was able to relocate on a moment's notice with the Tabernacle to move. It seemed to me at that time that the task would be daunting - how in the world could they set the Tabernacle up one evening (after a days' journey) and then torn down and ready to move the next morning.

I suppose that is where 8,580 men between ages 30 and 50 come in handy. When considering the number of men available for work, moving the Tabernacle becomes a much more realistic endeavor.

It is worth also considering that each man, by name, was assigned a specific task.

It would have been a sight to behold when Israel moved!

What's the point in all this? I believe it speaks to the value of each and every man knowing his place and specific duty and then performing that specific task at the exact right time.

It would furthermore seem reasonable to conclude that if 8,580 mean were going to participate in the set-up and tear-down of the Tabernacle, then each man's task would probably be small (if in fact every man was indeed going to do something). So, the "work" becomes much more about timing than effort.

The lessons for us in this picture of the Tabernacle are almost limitless. Certainly, the execution of moving the Tabernacle is worthy of our mindfulness.

Father, I hope I didn't miss anything that You were saying to me today through the description of how the Tabernacle was to be moved. Help me to remain mindful of the overall task of moving the Tabernacle every time I read about Israel moving to a new location. Help me to understand the teamwork and singular purpose each and every man displayed with each and every move.