Date: 03-11-2021

Title: Priests Among The People

(S) cripture:
    Numbers 35:1-3 (NLT2) While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites from their property certain towns to live in, along with the surrounding pasturelands. 3 These towns will be for the Levites to live in, and the surrounding lands will provide pasture for their cattle, flocks, and other livestock.

(O) bservation:
    Moses has just told the people how to divide the land for each tribe. The Levites were not given a portion of land, but each tribe was to provide them cities and pastureland for their animals and crops. This way the priests, the religious leaders, would not be centralized in one portion of land but would be living throughout the land among the people.

(A) pplication:
    This is an important concept for the church also. As pastors, called by God to lead the church, we should not be in a central location but rather living among the people we are to serve and lead. It is important to know the challenges and joys of the people in order to serve them best. Each place we have served Becky and I have purchased a home so the people knew we were owners and not just passing renters. We were fortunate to serve churches that allowed us the privilege of home ownership. Living among the people was a great asset to our ministry

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for calling me to lead a congregation in your church. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to live among the people I was called to serve. Amen