God, Our Director
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Numbers 7-8 and Psalm 100 (NIV)
(Wong Ee Hwee, Pastoral Team Member of Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Read Numbers 1-6 for context, then Numbers 7-8.
OBSERVE:
In the wilderness, God spoke.
God gave very specific instructions to Moses every step along the way, right from chapter 1.
- The LORD said to Moses, “. . .”
- Moses relayed the instructions to the people.
- The Israelites did everything “as the LORD commanded Moses.”
- God gave the next set of instructions.
The cycle repeats.
After the tabernacle was set up, Moses anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, the altar and all its utensils.
The leaders of Israel then made offerings and brought before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen. God gave Moses the next instruction: “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.” (7:5)
God provides what is needed for His people to do the work He requires them to do. This is in stark contrast to Pharaoh who refused to supply the Israelites with straw to make the bricks required.
God specified how the offering was to be carried out. One leader per day was to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar, over twelve days. Each leader’s offering was exactly the same, in accordance with God’s requirements. Yet the writer repeats this twelve times, emphasizing the full obedience of the Israelites to God’s specific instructions.
God detailed the pattern of the lampstand, and required the Levites to be purified. God required the Levites who reached fifty years of age to retire from their regular service and assist the younger ones instead.
APPLY:
If God has appointed a leader for a specific purpose, He will guide the leader. He will provide the resources needed to do the various tasks required.
Yet, what often destroys God’s perfect masterplan is when a leader runs ahead of God before God gives the next set of instructions. When a leader does not seek God in what, when, and how to carry out the duties, or when the people choose to do things their own way in their own time, this results in a non-coordinated effort.
God not only sends help, but specifies when a person should retire, ensuring the standards required of the ministry are being maintained, while allowing the younger ones to have the privilege of serving God too, with the assistance of the older ones.
DO:
In my various roles, be it as a follower or a leader, I recognize God as the ultimate Leader and Director who can and still gives specific instructions. He is the One who provides for all that He wants us to do. He is the One who shows us who, when, and how to carry them out, including when to retire.
God cares about our purity. We are called to be a people set apart for Him, to do His work.
As a follower, I will obey the instructions given by God’s appointed leaders. As a leader, I will wait upon the LORD for His next set of instructions, await His provision of the resources that are needed to bring about order and organization, and the wisdom and courage needed to involve the younger ones in the service of the LORD.
PRAY:
Holy God of Order, may we,
like each member of an excellent orchestra,
look to you, our Conductor and Director,
practice and play each of our parts well,
listening to You and to one another,
in accordance to Your timing and Your ways,
serving as one coordinated whole,
keeping ourselves pure,
as an acceptable offering to You.
Amen.
