God's Large Service Teams

Scripture: Their whole number was six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty. The Levites, however, were not numbered by their ancestral tribe along with them. Rather you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the covenant, and over all its equipment, and over all that belongs to it; they are to carry the tabernacle and all its equipment, and they shall tend it, and shall camp around the tabernacle. Numbers 1:46-47,50

Observation: Numbers begins with a census of fighting men available to Israel. Levi, however, is not counted, as instead they are assigned to care for the tabernacle and all its items. Assuming the tribe of Levi is similar in size to all the other tribes, this is a team of ... between 40,000-60,000 people

Between the panels, tent poles, bases, utensils, basins, lamps, etc. there aren't more than 100 items that make up the tabernacle. Every item could have a team of 400-600 men assigned to its care. Obviously, not everything is equal of course. The alter requires perhaps hourly emptying and cleaning, while a tent panel may need daily inspection, and one of the plates for the bread of presence may need to be wiped down weekly. Still, this is a massive workforce to care for the tabernacle, with significant teams assigned to each task. It would be easy to serve the Lord given this volume of assistance.

Application: If these ratios were constant in church, then on a weekly basis our church of ~800 'members' would have ~60 people serving. Between staff and leaders, worship and media teams, weekly prep teams (lawn care and facility cleaning), etc., we might actually be close to that number.

Sometimes I am frustrated with serving. However, this examination makes it clear that it isn't that hard for us. If I am chosen and called to serve, the Lord well understands the need for significant teams, and for the distribution of work. He wants his work to be done well and joyfully ... why would he understaff it?!

Prayer: Lord, may I continue to find a joyful heart in service to you. Forgive me for my judgment and frustration, for in truth it is my service to you that is actually the best part of my life, if only my perspective about my priorities were properly oriented. Thank you for your patience with me. Amen.