Numbers 3:5-10 – Being faithful to our calling

The task of caring for the Tabernacle was too important and just Aaron’s family alone was not enough to handle it adequately. So the Levites were appointed to assist Aaron. This one tribe was completely dedicated to looking after the Tabernacle. They were made to serve Aaron as well as the community in taking care of everything pertaining to the Tabernacle. While only the able men 20 and above from other tribes were counted and conscripted, every Levite was dedicated to serving the Lord from birth.  

Essentially, the job of the Levites firstly was to guard the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Wherever the people of Israel had stopped, and the sacred tent was pitched, they had to protect it. Secondly, they were responsible for dismantling and assembling the Tabernacle so that it could be safely transported. So whenever the nation of Israel was on the march, they were responsible to care for the safe transportation of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings. Numbers 4 will give us greater detail on the transportation of the Tabernacle. Now in Numbers 3, their role of guarding the Tabernacle was the focus. Verse 1o tells us that Aaron and his sons were appointed priests to serve in the Tabernacle. Anyone else found trespassing the holy ground would be executed. It appears that the Levites were also responsible to execute those trespassers. 

In Christ all of us are called into the Levitical function from the day of our spiritual birth. Like the priests and the Levites, we all have a ministry in the church we are attending. And like them, we are all called to serve God’s purpose. We are each assigned our role to play. Each one of us is given our necessary and unique gifting to do what is required of us. While God has imparted to all of us some gifts to do His work, He did not give to anyone all the gifts. Hence, none of us has to do what we are not gifted to do.

The priests and the Levites, all have their respective roles to play. So like them, each one of us also has our respective role to play. In God’s work, He requires everyone’s participation. When we all do the part assigned to us, the work of God will be efficaciously completed. Besides, when all of us do our part, none will need to suffer a burn-out. So whatever tasks we are assigned, we must be committed to responsibly do it. So that no one needs to step up to do our job. When every one of us does what is required of us, no one will be overloaded. Meanwhile, no one should envy another person’s gift. God will not hold a person responsible for the work He has not gifted him or her to do. So let us just bloom where God has planted us! It is the best way to ensure effectiveness in the ministry.