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1 Chronicles Chapter 24 (ESV)
3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar…
19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
REFLECTION:
- There were 16 heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, double that of eight of the sons of Ithamar. There were 3 reasons: (1) Eleazar’s two brothers, Nadab and Abihu, were burnt to death when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (c.f. Lev 10). Eleazar inherited the birthright of the first born. This birthright included double portion of inheritance from his father. (2) His descendants were more than the descendants of Ithamar. (3) His descendants had more leadership talent.
- There were 24 divisions of priests organized according to the appointed duties in their service. Each division served for two weeks in the temple in a year, and the rest of the time they served in their hometown. This system was extended until the time of Jesus (ref Lk 1:5-9). Zechariah was of the division of Abijah. When he was serving in the temple, an angel revealed to him and prophesied that he will have a son and that was John the Baptist. From this we know that the service in the temple has precise organization. Such organization would not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit but provided the condition for worship systematically.
- Sometimes we consider strategy and organization to be unspiritual acts and could hinder the spontaneous worship. On the contrary, the precise program and organization could allow our free response to God. Reflect on our church worship today how the systematic preparation could help us experience unconstrained joy and glorify God in our worship.
PRAYER:
Pray to God about our church worship and ask God to give the worshippers more passion and wisdom. Help our church worship to be more organized and allow the worshippers to experience God’s presence and heavenly joy.
HYMN:
House Of The Lord – youtu.be/IqfV0zeEvT8?si=LrHKkclzWdZE3Kvd
