Read Numbers 4:46-49

“According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the LORD commanded Moses.” — Numbers 4:49

In this seemingly tedious chapter of Numbers we learn of the marching orders given to the Levites concerning the tabernacle. But hidden within we discover a powerful truth about God and about ministry, which is — ministry should be done orderly and according to God's calling. This is what we see in both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. God calls and appoints ministers and then sets orderly parameters in which ministry should be done by them. Not only does this bring the most glory to God, but we find the most fulfillment in doing it God’s way.

As Paul told the Ephesians —

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…” (Ephesians 4:1)

Among the 12 tribes of Israel, God had called the tribe of Levi to take part in the ministry of the tabernacle (see Numbers 1:49-50). This included erecting the tabernacle, breaking it down, hauling it from location to location, and most importantly, the services of the priesthood.

There were three major Levitical families: Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. The Kohathites were considered the most important of the three, since Kohath was the grandfather of Moses and Aaron (see Exodus 6:18). Not to mention, the Kohathites were given the great responsibility of moving the Ark of the Covenant and all the other furnishing within the tabernacle (see Numbers 3:29-31). To the Gershonites was appointed the ministry of caring for the coverings and the hangings of the tabernacle, and to the Merarites was given to care for the boards, sockets, and utensils (see Numbers 3:25-26, 36-37). Then, of course, to the sons of Aaron were given the ministry of the priesthood to serve God and the people of Israel through ceremonies of the tabernacle.

This ministry was the great privilege of being a Levite, and within this privilege was God’s calling each according to his service and according to his task.

But as is human nature — the grass is always greener on the other side. We become discontent in our calling only because of our pride, and God is questioned by our presumption! Why does Moses get to lead, and not us? These were the arrogant words of Aaron and Miriam in being discontent with their own calling (see Numbers 12:1-10). Why do the sons of Aaron get to be priests, and not us? How quickly the Kohathites led a rebellion against Moses and the High Priest Aaron in their haughtiness! (see Numbers 16:1-40) The cases of pride only continue to pile up from here.

This perfectly describes the problem of the sinful human heart: it doesn't want what God has given him, but wants what God has given others.

The sinful nature has not changed today. The same predicament still occurs even within the church when we refuse to be content in what God has called us to, and become covetous of what others are called to do. The Apostle Paul had to address this carnal issue within the church of Corinth.

“If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” (1 Corinthians 12:15–18)

Beloved, we must heed this biblical truth! It’s time to shed Saul’s armor and go out as God has called you, with nothing less and nothing more. Serve Christ with the gifts you have been given by Him, and march to the beat of His direction! Guard yourself from envy, pride, and covetousness. Or what? Will you despise the gift that God has especially given you, as Esau despised his own birthright? Let this not be! But rather, walk worthy of the calling Christ has called you to, and no other. It is here that we find empowerment, contentment and rest.

“…walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work…” (Colossians 1:10)