-Devotion by Kevin Shull (MN)
1 Chronicles 26-27 are chapters that can be easy to skim past as you are reading through the Bible. However, hidden within these lists of names and positions, we can gain a glimpse of God’s order. The Israelites were a nation that were set apart by God. This can be seen in Leviticus 20:26 and 1 Chronicles 17:21. What separated Israel from the rest of the nations was God’s Law, which provided the Israelites with the order that they needed to live a holy life.
1 Chronicles 26-27 puts a focus on the specific structure and design that God engineered for the Israelites’ success. Within these chapters we see how King David is organizing the Levites to serve in the temple. 1 Chronicles 26:1-19 details the divisions of Levitical gatekeepers. It is specific to their leading men, which gate they are assigned to, and how each watch should run. 26:20-28 focuses on the treasuries of God’s temple, and the individuals responsible for them. 26:29-32 highlights the work of the Levites outside of the temple, who are assigned to be judges and overseers for the tribes of Israel. Each listing is detailed with their families and locations.
This is continued in chapter 27, starting with the military. From verse 1 we learn that the military is to be split into twelve divisions, with 24,000 in each division. 27:2-15 then lists the commanders of these divisions by name for their appropriate division. In 27:16-22, the heads of tribes of Israel are also listed by name. The chapter continues in 27:25-31 by listing those who were placed over the king’s various affairs and property. Finally, 27:32-34 lists the king’s counselors and the commander of the king’s army.
As I was reading through these lists, chapter 27 verse 30 stuck out to me. “Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.” In the greater scope of the Bible, I would not think of these as particularly noteworthy roles that would need to be listed. But in the time of David, both camels and donkeys were vital to the success of the kingdom. Camels were of key importance for desert transport and trade. Donkeys were needed for their agricultural work and carrying heavy loads. While not particularly flashy jobs, both Obil and Jehdeiah’s work was needed within the Israelite nation.
We can apply these same concepts into our Church today. The Church needs members in different roles to thrive. We have all been given unique spiritual gifts for the purpose of serving our church. 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Not everyone is called to be a pastor or musician, but we can still find ways to serve. God has given you gifts to better your church, even if it isn’t always in the flashiest positions. 1 Corinthians 12:21 reminds us that no part of the body of Christ should be looked down upon. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” It is pivotal that we don’t lose faith by neglecting the gifts God has given us.
While 1 Chronicles 26-27 are not the most riveting chapters of the Bible, I believe they are truly just as important. God had a specific plan for the Israelites’ success, a clear order to ensure prosperity. Lists like these remind me that God used each of these individuals for a specific purpose, as hard as their names might be to pronounce. God used these people to orchestrate all the inner workings of complex bureaucracy that was David’s kingdom. In comparison to a kingdom, imagine how simple our own lives must be to him. Our God is a God of order, so why do we have such a hard time letting him lead? I pray that we will be able to let go and follow where God’s plan is taking us.
Reflection Questions
- What did you find interesting in the description of the organization of the Levites and David’s kingdom?
- Of the jobs listed in 1 Chronicles 26-27, which one(s) would you have applied for if you lived during David’s reign and why?
- How has God gifted you for service? What role do you play in the church body? Why does it need to be done? What skills does it require?
- Where have you witnessed the God of order at work?
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for creating the church as a body – not because You need us, but because we need You and we need one another. Help us to serve You well as an active, talented, giving part of the body of Christ.
Seek Grow Love 