We Are On A List - Numbers 1-4

Numbers 1:47 (ESV)

But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe.

Numbers 3:15-16 (ESV)

“List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

Numbers is a book that gives us ... numbers.   The name of the book comes from the numbering of the men for war and the numbering of the tribe of Levi, not for war, but for duty to the Tabernacle.   (As stated by many a better name for the book might be something like: The Wilderness Wandering Record.)   The book gives us an accounting of what the nation did in the 40 years of punishment in the wilderness.   There is a lot of mention of names and place and events.   

In the above two verses we read that the Levi’s were not be listed in one list and they were the only ones listed on another list.  They were not to be counted as men able to go to war.  It does not mean they could not fight, but it does mean they were not to be part of the standing army.   They were added to a special list. That list was for the duty of caring for all things Tabernacle (large and small).   They were in the service of the LORD and therefore not in service to fight in battle.  

It should be noted that today God also assigns us roles and responsibilities in this life today as He did then.  

In the Church it is God’s manifold wisdom what gifts He gives us:

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

It is God who decides our path.  We are His possession, the sheep of His pasture:

Psalms 100:3 (ESV)

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

We may not be on one list, be we are on a list for God.  We are to embrace that and fulfill His path for our lives.  

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.