The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 4:49,
"At the Lord's command through Moses, each [of the Levites] was assigned his work and told what to carry."
As part of the design and organizational structure involved in establishing the tabernacle with the Lord's presence and the worship that was to take place there, assignments were given to the three clans of the tribe of Levi. They were to assist the priests and provide care for, and the transportation of, the tabernacle, "the tent of meeting." The above verse points out that each of the Levites had his own assignment and told what to carry.
One of the banes of today's church is the concept or structure of "clergy" versus "laity". The notion is fostered that we have "professional" Christians on the platform and spectators out in the pew on Sundays. The professionals, the "clergy", do spiritual battle with the demons in our lives, trying to get us all to behave, entertain us with edifying counsel, admonishment and guidance. They are the ones with the inside baseball scoop on all things spiritual and theological. The laity? They are there to watch (and hopefully pick up a few things from week to week). And, of course, church is something that happens on Sunday mornings and maybe Wednesday evenings.
I'm not finding that concept for the church in the pages of Scripture. What I do find is that all believers belong to the Lord's priesthood - every last one. Here is how Peter put it, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:4-9. Peter is saying this of all who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith.
Just as each of the Levites had their own assignments, all believers have theirs as well. There is no such thing recognized in Scripture of the professional Christian versus the pew-run Christian when it comes to assignments from the Lord. We all have them. Paul tells us, "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8.
"At the Lord's command through Moses, each [of the Levites] was assigned his work and told what to carry."
As part of the design and organizational structure involved in establishing the tabernacle with the Lord's presence and the worship that was to take place there, assignments were given to the three clans of the tribe of Levi. They were to assist the priests and provide care for, and the transportation of, the tabernacle, "the tent of meeting." The above verse points out that each of the Levites had his own assignment and told what to carry.
One of the banes of today's church is the concept or structure of "clergy" versus "laity". The notion is fostered that we have "professional" Christians on the platform and spectators out in the pew on Sundays. The professionals, the "clergy", do spiritual battle with the demons in our lives, trying to get us all to behave, entertain us with edifying counsel, admonishment and guidance. They are the ones with the inside baseball scoop on all things spiritual and theological. The laity? They are there to watch (and hopefully pick up a few things from week to week). And, of course, church is something that happens on Sunday mornings and maybe Wednesday evenings.
I'm not finding that concept for the church in the pages of Scripture. What I do find is that all believers belong to the Lord's priesthood - every last one. Here is how Peter put it, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:4-9. Peter is saying this of all who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith.
Just as each of the Levites had their own assignments, all believers have theirs as well. There is no such thing recognized in Scripture of the professional Christian versus the pew-run Christian when it comes to assignments from the Lord. We all have them. Paul tells us, "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8.
That person behind the pulpit on Sundays needs to be ministered to just as anyone else in the congregation. The "professionals" do not possess any more gifts from the Holy Spirit than anyone else. We all need to join with him in doing our part the Lord has given us. There are to be no spectators in the kingdom of God, only participants who carry their part of the workload of ministry - just as the Levites participated in their work assignments from the Lord.
What are you supposed to carry? What is your assignment?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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