Law and Order
We enjoyed a beautiful and very meaningful wedding ceremony yesterday afternoon. 
Congratulations to my niece Kate and David Martin on heir marriage. My son Christian performed the ceremony for his cousin. My brother gave a moving speech at the reception that placed a great capstone on the celebration.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side….'” Numbers 2:1,2 ESV
The days the Children of Israel spent at Mount Sinai were critical for their journey to the promise land. There was the giving of the “Law of Moses” that involved the ten commandments and all the laws regarding the lives and conduct of God’s people with the Lord and with each other. They were receiving instructions on how to live as God’s Holy people in relationship with a Holy God.
But in addition to the “law” dimension much attention is given to the structure and organization of how God’s people were to operate. How do nearly 2 million people get to a destination in an orderly manner? Who is responsible for various tasks and duties? Who is to be ready to fight if there an attack from an enemy?
What we see in much of the early chapters of Numbers covers all these topics. There was an order with the twelve tribes. Each tribe was arranged in a specific order around the Tabernacle. When they set out from camp, they left in a specific order. Specific duties were assigned to the Levites and their families. Each had their own “job description.” The efficiency and effectiveness of the nation would depend on how each individual and group carried out their delegated duties.
That sounds like a principle that applies to any church, business or organization today. As an organization grows, so the need of more leaders, clear roles and expectations and better defined duties. There were 22,000 Levites to assist in the care of the Tabernacle and to serve the priests. Special duties were given to a group of about 8,600. Anyway you look at it that is a big staff!
We can observe in the Book of Acts the needs of widows becoming a drain on the focus and priorities of the Apostles. As a result twelve men were chosen and assigned to those duties.
We see that every aspect of organizational life for God’s people was covered. There are many details, because many details are needed. There were trumpets that sounded one sound to summon the entire congregation and another to summon only the leaders of the tribes. There was a blowing of the trumpet that called the fighting men to prepare for war.
The bottom line is the God of the universe is able to give us the instructions on how to live in right relationship with Him and others and to provide the needed order to our lives and organizations that reveal His wisdom and character. The Lord is concerned about all aspects of our life and we can look to Him and trust Him to help us in what ever that challenge before us may be.
Prayer for today…. Lord, when we read in scripture that, “God is a God of order” we can see it in vivid detail in the Book of Numbers. Help us to trust You to provide for us all that we need as we seek to live our lives for Your glory. Use us as people of wisdom in our workplace, community and church.