Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 6
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Importance of Roles.”
This large chapter is devoted to the tribe of Levi, and is of major significance within the framework of the book. The key theme of this narrative is the life of David, with particular reference to his desire to build the house of God. Priests were necessary for that temple to function, and so there is here a record of the priesthood, and details of the three divisions of the tribe of Levi, each of which had its own specific sphere of activity in the conduct of temple worship. These first fifteen verses focus mainly on the sons of Aaron, those who should have followed in his steps as high priests in Israel. Somewhere along the line the succession strayed, and the opening chapters of 1 Samuel see Eli functioning as high priest, a man who according to secular accounts was descended from Ithamar and not Eleazar. Abiathar was in Eli’s line but was deposed by Solomon because of his treachery. I t was all in accordance with the sentence of judgment that was passed on Eli’s wayward household. (1 Kings 2:27) Verse 16 gives details of Levi’s immediate family, his three sons being Gershom, Kohath and Merari. These three branches of the family held responsibility for the tabernacle as decreed by God in Numbers 3-4. The sons of Gershom(n) took charge of the coverings and hangings. The Kohathites had responsibility for the Ark of the Covenant and all the other vessels. Merari’s descendants looked after the heavy items such as the boards and sockets. There are one or two notable names in this section. Korah was responsible for spearheading a rebellion against Moses that ended in the rebels and their property being swallowed up as “the earth opened her mouth.” (Num 16:32) It appears that their grievance stemmed from discontentment with their God-appointed task. Korah had ambitions to be a priest! His mind-set is replicated in the New Testament when Diotrephes aspired to be noticed and prominent in the church and exclude gifted teachers whom he perceived as rivals (3 Jn 9-11). Sadly, these ancient attitudes have not gone away. We seem to still fight them in the church today. Mercifully, Korah’s descendants rose above their tragic family history, and some of the delightful Psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah. May we apply apply the lessons. In the context of New Testament assemblies, the function of spiritual gift is likened to the various activities of the human body. (1 Cor 12:14-19) The foot has a function distinct from the hand; the ear has a function distinct from the eye. Neither should covet the role of the other, the attitude that proved to be the downfall of Korah. Be content to exercise your own God-given gift.
Personal Prayer Request:
- Lord, please help me to always be content in the role and responsibilities you have given me.
- Lord, please do not let me shirk my responsibilities or be found unfaithful to the role you have given to me by your grace.
- Lord, please help me to lead my family and the wonderful folks at Faith to be content in their God given roles.