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]
As I read today's OYCB reading, I found myself compelled to comment on the passage above (again). The most recent remarks I had, prior to today, on this passage are recorded here: Teamwork.
I cannot help but see in this that if each of us in the Body of Christ does our part, the Church would likely have a different testimony to the world.
As best I understand the dimensions of the Tabernacle, it seems to me that the actual weight and bulk of the materials would have spread awful light and thin across 8,580 men in their prime (ages 30-50). I can imagine that the individual task of each priest (whether Kohathite, Gershonite, of Merarite) would seem monotonous, boring, and unchallenging compared to what we today consider work duties to be. But herein lies the power of understanding our role - that our power is not in the individual, but in the group.
Each man was responsible for just one thing at just the proper time. Mundane or insignificant as each man's task may have seemed, if it was unperformed at the correct time, there is simply no way Israel could have moved on short notice with as much efficiency as they did.
Service to God is not about being busy, it's about timing. The effort is small, but the timing of the effort must necessarily be led by the Holy Spirit in order to "fit" and benefit the whole.
Father, help me to stop thinking that busy is better when it comes to serving You!
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