A God of Order

The New Testament teaches us that God is a God of order. But where does that idea come from? The Old Testament. Especially in the book of 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 27:1 (ESV) This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000:

We learn from this chapter that order is important to David because as God's chosen king, the nation had to stand ready to defend itself and also prepare for the people a habitation to meet with God. 12 divisions of 24,000 soldiers took one month each to serve the king in this capacity. 

The Bible is big on 12, 24, 7, and 3. These numbers run through the scriptures in heavy doses. It is no coincidence that these numbers are what govern our time. Consider that we eat three times a day (or regard three times of the day - morning, afternoon, and evening), each week is 7 days, each day is 24 hours, and the year is comprised of 12 months. The very order of our lives is influenced by the scriptures. Communist secularists in Russia and China tried to change the length of weeks and number of workdays, they were colossal failures. God's Word is at the very core of our existence in every way. History divides on Jesus Death and Resurrection. You cannot escape this. 

So what are we to make of this chapter which lists the assignments per month per division of the army? A simple point should be approached first. If we will not order our lives in God's word we will suffer the consequences. We will be out of sorts with the very nature of reality. 

Continuing in the chapter we see leaders over the tribes:

1 Chronicles 27:16 (ESV) Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; (and on and on). 

Finally, there are assignments for leadership in the foodstuffs that would be served in the King's palace and the Temple. 

1 Chronicles 27:25–27 (ESV) Over the king’s treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.

Now let us consider the context of these lists and all of these orderly assignment throughout the nation. This is all in preparation for the Temple to be constructed. I find it incredible that David was so orderly in these matters to prepare Solomon to build a house where God woud dwell among His people. Yet the larger truth for us is that orderliness and leadership and oversight matter in the New Testament church as well. People must come to a place and worship where it is safe, structured, and set aright. Disorder is not God's agenda at all, that's the devil's plan. If the Church looks disordered and chaotic, who is really at the root of that picture? I think this text makes it clear. 

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV) all things should be done decently and in order.