So Moses listed them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded. (Numbers 3:16 ESV)
Habit
It is unfortunate that we often perform our duties differently in different situations. Particularly, we might work more carefully if the boss is observing. Or we might clean our car’s interior more thoroughly before a date. Or perhaps we are more polite to ‘important’ strangers than we are to our own family.
But not Moses. This verse shows us what motivated Moses. He appears to have done most things ‘as onto the Lord.’ Here we see Moses listing male Levites. A long and tedious task, before computer programs and typewriters.
Moses did it, though, according to the word of the Lord. Moses did it as he was commanded.
Moses certainly messed up during his life. He certainly sinned. He certainly disobeyed. Scripture describes some of those incidents, lest we think Moses was sinless.
But Moses had a habit of obedience. Big things or little. Significant things or insignificant. When someone was watching, or when Moses worked alone, making lists.
That’s a good habit to cultivate. The good news is that when we fail, Christ already paid for that failure. The good news is that when we fail God’s love does not diminish. The good news is that habits do not save us.
But such habits as obedience help us know God more. I think that is why Moses had that habit.