The Bible has a lot to say about order, structure, and organization. God is a God of order, not chaos, and He desires His people to live orderly lives as well. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses that discuss the importance of order:
Genesis 1 – God Creates Order Out of Chaos
In Genesis chapter 1, we read about how God created the heavens and the earth. At the beginning, the earth was “without form and void” (Genesis 1:2). But God brought order through His creative work over 6 days. He separated the light from the darkness, the waters above from the waters below, the land from the seas. He created an orderly universe with structure, rhythm, and cycles of day and night, seasons, etc. God’s creation reflects His orderly and organized nature.
Genesis 1:31 – And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Exodus 40:4 – God Instructs Moses to Construct the Tabernacle in an Orderly Fashion
When God was instructing Moses to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, He emphasized doing things in the right order according to the pattern shown. God did not want haphazard construction, but rather organized assembly.
Exodus 40:4 – And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps.
Leviticus 10:10 – Priests Instructed to Distinguish Between Holy and Unholy
God instructed the Israelite priests to model discernment and order in their service. They were to distinguish between the holy and unholy, the clean and unclean. Making proper distinctions reflects God’s orderly design.
Leviticus 10:10 – You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean.
Numbers 2:1-34 – Israelites Encamped Around Tabernacle in Organized Fashion
When the Israelites were encamped in the wilderness, God told them to arrange their tents in a very specific order around the Tabernacle. Judah was to be on the east, Reuben on the south, Ephraim on the west and Dan on the north. There was an orderly structure dictated by God.
Numbers 2:2 – The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses.
1 Chronicles 23:31-32 – Levites Ordered for Temple Service
King David ordered and organized the Levites regarding their duties in the temple. The Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites all received their assignments in an orderly fashion. Serving God includes doing things His way.
1 Chronicles 23:32 – And so they shall keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and shall attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.
Job 10:22 – Orderly Progression from Light to Darkness
In his suffering, Job remarked on how there is an orderly progression in God’s world from light to darkness. Evening comes systematically after day.
Job 10:22 – The land of gloom like thick darkness, like deep shadow without order, where light is as thick darkness.
Psalm 110:4 – Christ as High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek
This prophetic Psalm speaks of the Messiah who would serve as a priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” Jesus is our great high priest who serves in a divinely ordered succession.
Psalm 110:4 – The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Proverbs 25:11 – Value of Orderly Presentation
Solomon observed how important orderly delivery is when presenting an idea. A word fitly spoken at the right time is like golden fruit. Organization matters.
Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Isaiah 9:7 – Christ’s Coming Kingdom of Perfect Order
The prophet Isaiah looked ahead to the day when Jesus would reign on David’s throne, establishing a Kingdom of perfect justice, righteousness and order. All will finally be arranged correctly under Christ’s rule.
Isaiah 9:7 – Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
Jeremiah 31:35-36 – God’s Orderly Design of the Sun, Moon and Stars
God points to the ordered workings of the sun, moon and stars as a reminder that He remains firmly in control of the universe. His unseen hand upholds all things through orderly laws and design.
Jeremiah 31:36 – If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.
Daniel 3:26-30 – God’s Servants Promoted in Orderly Fashion
After Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar promptly promoted them to high positions in Babylon. He increased their authority in an orderly, structured progression.
Daniel 3:30 – Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the Pure in Heart
In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who are “pure in heart.” Purity of heart indicates an upright, ordered, well-maintained inner life. Moral order pleases God.
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Mark 6:39-40 – People Arranged in Groups
When Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, He first instructed the people to sit down in groups on the green grass in an orderly fashion. Jesus appreciates organization, even in small details.
Mark 6:40 – And they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.
Luke 1:3 – Luke’s Orderly Account
Luke began his gospel account by stating his intent to write an orderly account of Jesus’ life and ministry. His careful research was done in a systematic fashion.
Luke 1:3 – It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.
John 13:4-5 – Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet in Orderly Manner
When Jesus washed the disciples feet during the Last Supper, He did so in a purposeful, methodical order. First He laid aside His garments, then poured water, then washed and dried their feet one by one.
John 13:4-5 – He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Acts 11:4 – Peter’s Orderly Account
When Peter returned to Jerusalem after preaching to Cornelius’ household, he gave an orderly sequence and account of all that had happened. He communicated the events in a structured way.
Acts 11:4 – But Peter began and explained it to them in order.
Romans 13:1 – Orderly Governing Authorities
Paul instructed the Romans to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that even imperfect human governments are ordered and established by God for society’s benefit.
Romans 13:1 – Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 – Orderly Worship Services
Paul gave extensive guidelines to the Corinthians about how their church services should be conducted in an orderly, edifying manner. Things should be done properly and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:40 – But all things should be done decently and in order.
Colossians 2:5 – Paul Praises Order in the Colossian Church
To the church at Colossae, Paul remarked positively on the order they maintained as a congregation. Their orderly corporate discipline was evidence of their strong faith.
Colossians 2:5 – For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – Living Peaceful, Orderly Lives
Paul instructed the Thessalonians to live quietly and mind their own affairs. An orderly, peaceful life of diligent work pleases God and reflects well on the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
1 Timothy 3:1-13 – Orderly Church Leadership
Paul spelled out the orderly qualities and qualifications for overseers and deacons who would lead in the church. Godly order and discipline should characterize church leaders.
1 Timothy 3:2 – Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
Titus 1:5 – Orderly Leadership Appointments
Titus was instructed by Paul to appoint elders in every town in a well-ordered, structured manner. The early church exhibited orderly processes guided by the apostles.
Titus 1:5 – This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.
Hebrews 5:5-6 – Christ’s Orderly Appointment as High Priest
The book of Hebrews explains how Jesus was officially appointed by God as our Great High Priest, in the orderly lineage of Melchizedek. It was a formal, orderly process.
Hebrews 5:6 – As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 5:10 – Order of Melchizedek
Jesus serves as High Priest for God’s people after the ancient order of Melchizedek. His priestly role represents orderly continuity from Old to New Testament.
Hebrews 5:10 – Being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20 – Christ’s Orderly Ascension to Heaven as Priest
After His finished work on earth, Jesus ascended orderly and properly to take His place as our High Priest in God’s presence, at His right hand.
Hebrews 6:20 – Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:11 – Order of Aaron and Levi Replaced by Christ
The author explains that Christ’s priesthood replaced the old Levitical priestly order under the law. His ministry is superior, eternal and divinely ordered.
Hebrews 7:11 – Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:17 – Eternal Order of Melchizedek
Jesus serves as High Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, which is eternal and unchanging, unlike the previous temporary priestly order.
Hebrews 7:17 – For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 9:6 – Orderly Arrangement of Temple
The author describes the original tabernacle’s orderly arrangement into two holy places. The furnishings were carefully placed by God’s design.
Hebrews 9:6 – These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties.
2 Peter 1:5-8 – Growing in Godly Virtues in Orderly Progression
Peter exhorts believers to diligently grow and increase in godly virtues, built up in a logical order one after another. Discipleship should be orderly.
2 Peter 1:5-7 – For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
So in summary, there are many verses throughout Scripture that emphasize the value of order, structure, proper arrangements and orderly progression. God is not a God of disorder, confusion or chaos. As His followers, we are to model order in our lives by making wise plans, being disciplined, keeping proper priorities, exercising self-control and shunning laziness and procrastination. An orderly life and household is a blessing and honor to God.