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Everyone reads their Bible a bit differently as far as routines and plans. One way I have read my Bible for a few years now is to read from a major section a day (Law, History, Poetry, etc.) This past week, I began in Numbers for "Law day" and was struck by something that I have read before but not contemplated.
 
In Numbers 1, God commands Moses and Aaron (vs. 17) to conduct a military census of all the able-bodied men above the age of 20 in the nation of Israel (except for the tribe of Levi- vs. 47-53). To accomplish this large endeavor, God selects, by name, a man from each tribe to be their representative.
 
Now, normally a genealogy or procedural chapter in our Bible reading tempts us to yawn, skip over it, or speed-read. And...I found myself doing just that. Half way through the chapter, the Lord reminded me that He did not give humanity the Bible so we could read it in a manner less than He desires. I restarted the chapter, slowed down, and attempted to contemplate, then meditate upon what I was reading in what seems to be a "boring" chapter.
 
The Holy Spirit, as He faithfully does, took out His highlighter and helped me recognize a beautiful, practical reality about what took place with this census and how it is SO encouraging for today. In vs. 5-17, God singles out individual men from amongst the tribes, even out from their own specific tribe. These men are appointed the great task and opportunity to serve God's desire for Israel alongside of Moses and Aaron.
 
Here is the thought I could not get away from as I read the census numbers- of the tens of thousands of able-bodied men, God selected these individuals by name, for His work. God was aware of who they were, their willingness to serve Him, and their capacity to serve in the manner He would demand. Imagine what it had to be like that day when Moses and Aaron announced what was taking place and who would be helping? Your name gets called to represent your family and friends but also serve God as HIS selection? 
 
It made me pause and reflect upon the grandeur of our good God! In His omniscience (all-knowing), there is not one person lost to His attention in the sea of eight billion inhabitants on earth. While that is sobering, it is also exciting!
How does this truth from an Israeli census thousands of years ago help us today?

  • God knows everything- In a world of lying politicians, corrupt company executives, unethical celebrity pastors, dishonest spouses, and estranged children, God knows it all! Often, we are troubled by the duplicity of individuals or the lack of explanation by them about matters that affect us. Be of good cheer, as God is the ultimate arbiter of knowledge. The men of Israel could trust that if their name was or was not called that day, God knew who they were as a unique individual as He had called out specific names for this assignment; it wasn't a reason to be discouraged; it was a reason to be encouraged!

  • God knows where you are at- often it can feel as if God has forgotten about us. We have that unanswered prayer request. We have that unmet life-goal. We have that chronic condition. We have that unfulfilled, righteous desire to honor God in a relationship. The devil loves to whisper, "God does not care for YOU!" Not only does God care for you, but He also knows where you are at and HOW He intends to use this time for His purposes. The men's names not called that day do not indicate that God was unconcerned with them or that they had any less value or standing with Him.

  • God is able to use you- We are really bad at comparing ourselves to other people. We do so out of pride in the attempt to make our self-worth to be justified or inflated. We do so out of fear in the attempt to find something to bolster our self-worth or pull us away from despondency. What would be helpful for any Christian? Stop comparing yourself to others and start complying with what God has already stated about you as His child (including your unique personality, life experiences, and spiritual gifting)! For the men's names NOT called on that day, it did not mean they were any less valuable in their role in their families, community, or God's purpose as His covenant people. Nor did it mean that the men's name called that day had an exalted value prior or after this event. God uses each of us uniquely for His glory at His times.
I am not sure whatever happened to these individuals after this passage, but I think that demanding to know more about them misses the point entirely. Friend, God was gracious to include this helpful, powerful reminder in the midst of a procedural event in the nation of Israel's history. 

He wants you to remember that He not only knows your name, but He also knows His desire for your life and has the ability to perform His work in your life. 

No matter if your "name has been called" for a "special" moment or not, enjoy His kindness today and respond in faithful obedience (vs. 54)
 
Serving together,
 
Pastor Paul