Fly The Flag High

“Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.” (Nu 2:2 AV)

When we see drawings of the Jewish encampment while in the wilderness, there is usually a banner or ensign at the head of the encampment.  It was usually large.  According to the above verse, each head of the family was to fly the standard of their tribe and ensign of their family.  Think of the custom of some European nations that have a family crest.  There is a national flag.  But the family crest has a bit more significance.  This family ensign or crest has a good deal to do with history and estates.  Or in the case of Israel, inheritance.  This inheritance was not merely land.  This inheritance also had to do with each family’s place in the overall nation of Israel.  This ensign gave definition to the overall family and a sense of purpose to a generation yet unable to fulfill a purpose.

The question arises, why fly a flag?  Why not simply fulfill the purpose for which God intended and leave it at that?  Why the public display of God’s purpose?  A simple yet clear way of illustrating this is titles.  The family crests of England also come with titles.  The lady of Windsor.  The prince of wales.  We have our titles as well.  We have Doctor, President, Senator, Judge, Professor, Pastor, or Secretary.  I served in a part of the country that eschewed labels of distinction.  Physicians, Politicians, Clergy, etc were called by their first name.  Although this is not a treatise on the appropriate use of titles, it is a reminder these titles are not a distinction of accomplishment, but rather, purpose.  Having said that, there is an application here to be made for all who are God’s children.  There should be a clear distinction of the purpose for which God created you and that distinction of purpose should be clearly seen.

 The toe does not look like the finger.  The nose is uniquely shaped as not to confuse it with the ear.  The knee, although similar to the elbow, has enough distinction so as to tell it apart from the elbow.  Whatever it is that God has called us to be should be clearly and easily visible.  Not only to those whom we serve among, but also to those who are observing from a distance.  Anyone looking at the nation of Israel could clearly see the distinctions of tribe and family.  They could clearly see who the leaders were.  They could clearly see who the military was.  They could clearly see which families of Levi were assigned to each responsibility of Israel’s spiritual welfare.  What ever it is that God has called you to, own it and wear it.  Specially if you are called into full-time service.  Wear the identification.  Do not hide it.  Let others see clearly that you are what God created you to be.