Lions and tigers and Numbers, OH MY!
I know I’ve mentioned this in a previous post, but I’m reading through the Bible in a year, and we’re in the middle of Numbers. Everything is so unbelievably specific. The details can be overwhelming and hard to understand. Why in the world did the LORD want this to be part of His Word for all of time and humanity to read? I mean, couldn’t that part have just gotten lost? We don’t even need it anymore (specifically all the rules and genial lineage after Jesus). I know that sounds heretical, but those are my knee jerk, honest thoughts.
But on one of my morning runs, as I was praying about what I had just read a little earlier that morning, a thought popped into my head. Isn’t it crazy to think that each of the tribes had a specific job for the Tabernacle? And you were stuck with it for like, ever. So if your father was a descendant of Aaron, your job was to be a priest in the tabernacle. You didn’t get a say. That’s just what you did.
And after chewing on that a while, I realized something else. If you WEREN’T a descendant of Aaron, but you really, really, really wanted to be, you couldn’t. And if you’d try, you’d die. Literally.
It gives so much more depth of insight to the sentiment: Duty, Privilege, and Honor.
The LORD is intentional
Obviously, I realize the jobs of running the Tabernacle and all those sacrifices are not anything we need to think about in our culture today. However, I think it’s safe to say that the LORD is always intentional about what He allowed to be included in His Word. There were specific things he required of the Israelites that aren’t required now, but the general sentiment remains.
Clearly we have so much more freedom now. Praise the LORD for that! In His sovereignty, we live in a time when we don’t have to do what our father’s did for work. We can do what we want, essentially. But this can be a good and bad thing. Let me explain! The mantra, “You can do whatever you want” or “You can be whoever you want” is part of our Western lexicon. Although to a degree this is a positive outcome, we have lost the enormous importance of Duty.
But I want to do what I want to do!
This reminds me of the movie Ella, Enchanted. It’s a very cute movie that my kids loved. But the one part where the elf was frustrated because he wanted to be a lawyer rather than an entertainer came to mind and perfectly illustrates my point. He didn’t want to be an entertainer, he wanted to be a lawyer. And at the end of the movie, that’s just what he was allowed to do.
I guess it’s a good thing that Aaron’s descendants weren’t elves.
Duty
My point in sharing all of this is that there needs to be a healthy tension between duty and will. The LORD allows us all to choose what we would like to do in so many ways. But He also calls us to fulfill certain duties as Believers, no matter who we are.
Just a few things that come to mind are that children are to care for their elderly parents (or more specifically, their widowed mother; 1 Timothy 5:4). Or we’re to share our faith and make disciples for the LORD (Matthew 28:19-20). A controversial take that is biblically sound is that those of us who are married are to embrace the possibility of children since we’re called to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28) (in contrast to embracing being a DINK – dual income, no kids).
Duty seems to contrast and conflict with our will. But I would argue we need to hold onto them both and embrace the tension between the two. Duty is a good thing that has been greatly devalued in our culture. Duty is both beautiful and necessary, no matter if we think we know better.
What the LORD has called us to do and be
Sometimes we may not want what the LORD has called us to do. But it’s the most foolish thing in the world to disregard what a clear calling is, and simply “live our truth.” I would assume it wouldn’t cost us our lives as it could have within the Israelite camp, but I can guarantee we will miss out on great blessings.
Other times we may not want who the LORD has called us to be. Whether that’s married or single, a plumber or a doctor, God’s ways are always best. But most of all, we must all ooze Who’s we are. It’s not just when it feels good. It’s ALL the time, whether or not we want to or understand.
I hope we can all remember to consistently point out the flawed logic of certain sayings and mantras, and instead, point to Jesus and His Word. God’s ways are always better.
Amen?
