Left Behind
Those who are left behind or overlooked in life may have a special duty to wait and watch, and their service may be the greatest of all.
George Matheson emphasizes the significance of the Levites, who were overlooked and uncounted in the census of Israel, yet held a vital role in maintaining the tabernacle. He illustrates that while they may seem left behind in the world's activities, their duty to wait and watch is crucial for the survival of the nation. Matheson reassures those who feel unnumbered or sidelined in life that their quiet service is invaluable, as it supports the greater purpose of God's work. He encourages individuals to recognize the importance of their unseen contributions, as true greatness often emerges from behind the scenes.
Text
"Thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi...The Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony..."
(Num. 1:49,53).
Here was apparently a neglected set of men--a class overlooked in the enrolment of the people. They were to be uncounted, discounted. A spectator would have said they were a specimen of those unfit for survival. In all the work of the nation they had neither part nor lot. We read, in the parable, of the Levite passing by on the other side; but here the Levite seems to be passed by. He is left behind by the stream of the world's activities; and, with the prophet, the beholder is disposed to say that his way is hid from the Lord and his judgment overlooked by his God.
And yet the beholder would be wrong. These men have not been overlooked, have not been shunted from the race of life. If they are left behind by the stream it is because there is a special duty to do which can only be done by those who are left behind. That special duty is to wait and watch. The Levites are to "keep charge of the tabernacle"--to see that no harm comes to the ark and what it contains. It seems a poor service when contrasted with the work of the numbered. In reality it was the greatest service of all. If anything had befallen the tabernacle, Israel would have collapsed immediately. The loss of ten thousand of her soldiers would have been nothing to the putting-out of her altar fire; the one might have weakened her strength, but the other would have killed her hope.
Thou who art unnumbered among the people, thou to whom there has been assigned no active work, there is a message here for thee. There is a service f or the unnumbered--for those who only stand and wait. There are Levites as well as priests in the temple of thy Father. There are those who have been laid aside from active duty--who have no district to visit in, no church to preach in, no mission to serve in. Through sickness, through poverty, through the requirement to attend on others, they have been retained indoors--their names are not enrolled. Weep not that thou art among these! Lament not that thy life has been lived behind the scenes! It is behind the scenes that all great things are born.
Sermon Outline
- The Neglected Class
- The Special Duty of the Levites
- The Importance of the Levites' Service
- It was the greatest service of all
- The loss of the tabernacle would have killed Israel's hope
Key Quotes
“If they are left behind by the stream it is because there is a special duty to do which can only be done by those who are left behind.” — George Matheson
“It is behind the scenes that all great things are born.” — George Matheson
“The loss of ten thousand of her soldiers would have been nothing to the putting-out of her altar fire; the one might have weakened her strength, but the other would have killed her hope.” — George Matheson
Application Points
- Those who feel overlooked or left behind in life may have a special calling to wait and watch.
- Their service may be the greatest of all, even if it seems insignificant or behind-the-scenes.
- We should not lament being left behind, but rather see it as an opportunity to serve in a unique way.