Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Chronicles+023
1 Chronicles Chapter 23 (ESV)
25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 29 Their duty was also to assist with the showbread, the flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering, the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity or size. 30 And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31 and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. 32 Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.
REFLECTION:
- The priests and the Levites had different responsibilities in the temple and its surrounding. The priests had the right to offer sacrifice while the Levites were assigned to assist the priests. Responsibilities of the Levites included serving in the house of the Lord, cleansing all that was holy, house-keeping, praising the Lord, moving, repairing and keeping charge of the tent, etc. Both the priests and the Levites came from the tribe of Levi but the priests have to be the descendants of Aaron, the first High Priest (c.f. Exod 28:1-3).
- Both the priests and the Levites shared the tithing from the Israelites and received funding from the cities given to them. If it was not because the priests and the Levites led the religious rituals in unity, the Israelite would not be able to worship God in the temple. Their responsibilities might be different but they were both important roles in God’s plan.
- No matter what role you play in the church, your service will benefit the congregation. Reflect your role in serving in the church and whether you have done your best. No matter if the task is important or insignificant, will you do it faithfully because it is pleasing to God and beneficial to the congregation?
PRAYER:
Pray that God will help you know your gifts and talent, and the role you should play in the church; Ask God to give you a faithful and truthful heart that you are willing to serve God with all your heart and all your strength. May God’s name be glorified and may you be a good witness for God.
