DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A MINISTRY FOR EVERYONE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A MINISTRY FOR EVERYONE

"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 'Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle. Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle." (Numbers 3:5-9)

Of the twelve tribes of Israel, one tribe was chosen by God to do the spiritual ministry of the priesthood and tending to the physical ministry of the tabernacle. They were the tribe of Levi.

Moses and Aaron were descendants of Levi. Moses had the role of the prophet, who heard from God and spoke God's word to the people. Aaron had the role of the priest. He and his offspring were delegated the responsibility of offering the sacrifices, and being the mediators between God and man. Of the other descendants of Levi, there were three other tribes – the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites. Each of these families were given responsibilities for various aspects of the spiritual ministry of the tabernacle. The Gershonites were dedicated to take care of the tabernacle and its covering and the hangings around the tabernacle. The Kohathites took care of the ark, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils and everything that pertained to them. The appointed duties of the family of Merari included the caring for the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, sockets, its utensils, and all the work related them.

The point is that there was an assignment for everyone. Not all of the Levitical families did the same things. Each one had his place. It made the ministry of the tabernacle work smoothly.

We are not of the Levitical family, but each of us has a role to play in the ministry of Christ's church. Some of us have the prophetic and priestly ministries of helping people worship. Others of us have behind the scene ministries that make things run smoothly. Everyone has his calling, and each one is important. But we are all called to minister, each in our own way.

As the negro spiritual says it, "Oh, I may not preach like Peter and I may not pray like Paul. I can tell the love of Jesus Who died to save us all."

Love, Dad