Good morning!
Text: Numbers 1-3; Psalm 28
These first chapters of Numbers send a clear message that our God is a God who cares about the details. The opening words of the book, “The Lord spoke to Moses…” start a thread that commands the taking of a census (1:2), and the assignment, by name, of specific men who were to help Moses in this task (1:5);
“And these are the names…”
Think about that. Our God picks people by name to serve Him. In the New Testament, the followers of Jesus – that would be us – are called His “elect.” In Ephesians 1:4, The Word says, “he chose us…”
Stop and imagine you are “Pagiel the son of Ochran” from the family of Asher (Numbers 1:13). The LORD God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, assigned you and called you by name for a specific task. He ordered that you be the one, from His majestic throne on high! You are so special that 3,500 years from now people will read your name and know that God picked you, Pagiel, son of Ochran.
Now – imagine that you are just you. The Father of all chose you by name as well. And He gave you an assignment that is just yours (Ephesians 2:10). And your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life – immortalized. The LORD God Almighty is majestic and powerful, but He is also intensely personal. He loved you and He loved me – each and every one of His own. And called us out by name. What can top that?
in Him, Mike