Wednesday 9th August
Read Numbers 10:14-28
“The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command. 15 Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, 16 and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun. 17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.
18 The divisions of the camp of Reuben went next, under their standard. Elizur son of Shedeur was in command. 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, 20 and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad. 21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.
22 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud was in command. 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, 24 and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.
25 Finally, as the rear guard for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command. 26 Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, 27 and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali. 28 This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.”
Today, churches that expect the kind of perfect obedience to their leaders’ commands as that displayed here by Israel are called cults. In our society there is far less cultural respect for authority and most people will not be told what to do. The Israelites packing up in order, marching in order, and doing everything at the command of God through Moses looks a little too closely like enslavement for our tastes. But are such high standards with respect to divine obedience relevant for the church?
Authority and obedience are part of the church’s brief. Paul can clearly encourage the Roman church to obey the governing authorities as they are placed there by God (Romans 13). But Peter can just as easily tell the Jewish authorities that he is subject to God rather than men (Acts 5). Hence, discernment is essential. But that does not make obedience optional. It is just not always straightforward to know the right way.
We have two guides, the Word and the Spirit, to help determine what obedience looks like. But at heart, the reason we obey is so that we can enjoy friendship with God. Prayer and scripture change the way we think, align it with God’s will and this is what obedient worship looks like. But the Spirit guides us and changes us.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) (NIVUK)
