Scripture:
The Israelites did all this just as the Lord commanded Moses. – Numbers 1:54 NIV

Observation: In the opening of the book of Numbers, we see Jehovah (YHWH) telling Moses and Aaron to take a census of the people of Israel and to break it down by tribe and family within each tribe. They were to count all men age 20 or more, who could take up arms. Moses and Aaron selected each head of each tribe to assist in the census of that person’s tribe, as the LORD commanded. The nation was assembled and the census taken. The final number of able-bodied soldiers (age 20 or more) was 603,550. Thus, the people of Israel did all that the LORD instructed them to do. They were obedient.

Application:
Have you ever worked a job where you just did not like your supervisor? I’d say that many of us have at one time or another. The one thing I’ve learned over 30+ years of working is that all authority comes from God, himself, and that He places good bosses in your life to build you up and permits bad bosses to train you up. The key to success under either leader is to learn how to subject oneself to the person in that position of authority. The scriptures remind us that if we humble ourselves under the hand of God, He will lift us up in due time (1 Pete 5:6). Since every position of authority is allotted by God, it makes sense that submission to the person in charge (authority) means submission to God’s design. Thus, the blessing of obedience will follow all that such a person does while submitted to that authority, even when the person in the position may not be Godly.

Just imagine, if you will, what would have happened had Moses, Aaron, or the Israelites not obeyed all that God commanded. We can be certain that they would have suffered the consequence of their disobedience more swiftly and harshly under the Law. We see that much later in the case of Akin when he steals and hide booty from the destruction of Jericho when God said nothing was to be taken for personal gain but to be given to Him! Akin caused the entire nation of Israel to suffer. Fortunately, now, under the grace of God through Jesus, we don’t often experience the direct punishment of sin/disobedience as in days prior to the cross and resurrection. We are still disciplined by the Father when we do wrong because scripture tells us that God chastens those He loves!

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12:5-7)

Thus, the obvious thing is that we need to be obedient to all authority over us whether it’s the government, parents, or even supervisors. When humble ourselves before God and submit to ultimate authority by doing ALL that He commands or instructs through written or spoken word, we will reap the benefit of that obedience. The Bible clearly points out time and again that blessing follows obedience, not the other way around. Therefore, if you’re having a tough go of it at work, try rethinking what’s causing the toxic environment. Is it something that you may be doing, which you can change and help make the work environs better? Is it an attitude? Is it reluctance to do things the way the boss wants versus what you think should be done? There are myriad reasons and excuses. The bottom line is that we, as disciple of Messiah, but heed the Truth of the Word. He said through his apostle, Paul to the Colossian church.

[Employees], obey your earthly [bosses] in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human [supervisors],since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. (Colossians 3:22-25)

See, even Paul tells us that when we’re obedient to the boss and do it as though unto Jesus, we will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. For, it is Jesus the Messiah that we’re serving, not just the person serving in the position of authority He created.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your grace to do the job that you’ve given me. You stated through Jesus that your grace is sufficient for me to do everything put before me. It’s my trust in you and the power of your grace that gives me courage and strength to be obedient to you first and to all those you’ve placed in authority over me, including the boss that may irritate me to no end. However, I do need more of your grace daily. I need your Spirit to guide me and correct me when I err both from the directives of work and from the guidance of your Word. My flawed humanity doesn’t excuse my choices, good or bad. It does cause me to realize that I’m still in need of teaching and enlightenment from your Holy Spirit. Help me to do my daily job as a service to you and as a ministry of service to those around me on the job whether staff, partners, or clients. I want it to be said of me that I did all that I was asked to do and done with excellence. There should be no room in my life for mediocrity! I love you, Dad! Thank you, Jesus, for making it possible for me to serve our Father and to do so in love and obedience. Help me to emulate your obedience to our Father! So be it…