These two chapters of Numbers are all about who is in charge of what and where they are to camp. All of which is in relation to the centrepiece of the nascent Israelite nation, the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is the centre of the camp, it is the centre of the relocation procession, it is the moral, spiritual, social, and even legal centre. The lives of the Israelites were intertwined with the life of the Tabernacle.
And so there were many capable men enlisted to take care of it. One group of thousands of men was tasked with care and transport of the Tabernacle fabrics. Another group of thousands of men was responsible for the structural supports for the Tabernacle. And a final group of thousands of men was tasked with the care and transport of the Tabernacle furnishings.
So then, why do I say today’s devotional is about leadership?
Simple, really. Because at the end of this lengthy passage about who is responsible for what, we are told that Moses (along with his brother Aaron, and Aaron’s sons Eleazar and Ithamar) is in charge of all of the Tabernacle.
No matter how leaders delegate tasks to responsible people, those leaders are still the ones responsible for making sure those tasks are actually completed. A good leader will deal with irresponsible or lazy people over which they are responsible, but a good leader will never blame their workers for the job not being done. A good leader will take responsibility. This is what Biblical Leadership is. It is not about power and authority, but about responsibility and answerability.
What leadership have you been tasked with? Do you take it as seriously as the Lord does?