Numbers 1:54, "And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they." 

Numbers 2:34, "And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers."

The first three chapters of numbers are chapters that comprise a census of the tribes, how the tribes would organize themselves around the tabernacle, and the designated work of the Levites as they ministered for the Lord.  There were 603,550 men above the age of twenty (Numbers 1:46), another 22,000 Levite males above the age of one month (Numbers 3:39), in addition to these there were women and children.  This is a very large group of people estimated to be around 2 to 2.5 million in number. Things had to be organized if they were going to run smoothly and efficiently.

God is a God of order!  In the first six days of creation God carried out a thought out plan.  He determined at the end of His work that it was "very good."  God had a plan for man's redemption, even before man sinned in the Garden, Jesus was the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8) God compels us through the words of Paul the Apostle, "Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40). Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible states, "the words of 1 Cor. 14:40 may be considered as a general rule for the decent and orderly management of all things relating to the worship of God, and discipline of his house; that in all things a good decorum, and strict order, be observed, that nothing be done contrary to the rules of decency, and the laws and commandments of Christ."

We need to do our best to do the work of God in a decent manner.  We need to organize our work and ourselves to accomplish the will of God in our churches, and in our families.  Our nation, our churches, and our families suffer because we fail to obey God, including our failure to do things decently and in order "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1 Cor. 14:33)  Satan is the master of confusion, while God is the God of order.  How are you going to live your life?

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  How would you describe your life? 

2.  Would you say your life is filled with peace?  why, or why not?

3.  What can you do to better organize your life, and your family?

4.  Who is the Master of confusion?  What are the consequences of confusion?