Called by Name to Serve

Scripture: You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army. One man from each tribe, each of them the head of his family, is to help you. These are the names of the men who are to assist you. Numbers 1:3-5

Observation: Based on the dates provides, the events of Numbers are immediately after the conclusion of Exodus. The tabernacle has been made, and now God commands a census to determine Israel's strength before entering the promised land. God himself calls out 12 men by name to help. It isn't a hard task ... they are simply counting all men age 20 and older, and they do it by organizing each family and having them report their facts, and rolling up the information. However, this is a task given by God, and the 12 men are named by God - given to Moses in the tent of meeting - to faithfully perform the task.

Despite the lack of complexity, and perhaps even monotony of simply counting names, joining with God in this task make these men leaders. They are then identified as leaders of their tribes, and later as the camp is organized they are again identified as the leaders of the camps.

Application: It is certainly an honor to be called by name by God into service! I believe this has happened to me before, though not in such an obvious manner. To be known by the Lord, and then identified as a person equipped to perform a task for him, is the greatest honor in the world. In my heart, I fear I am not worthy of such a call, and I certainly don't need such a call if it also implies leadership as I am not a good candidate for such a position among my peers.

That said, I am here to serve. I can join others in service. I am willing to be called and would be faithful to the task. I suspect there is purpose for me in God's kingdom still ahead of me in life, and I look forward to learning what it is someday.

Prayer: Lord, here I am. May I serve you when called, and in the mean time may I continue to grow, worship, pray, listen, and love. Amen.