DELEGATED DUTIES. 1st Chronicles 26 In a theocracy such as Israel was at the time of the building of the temple, there was no division between secular and sacred matters. The national treasury was the temple. Important events were held at the temple, not in the king's palace. A true theocracy is a government of a nation ruled by "divine guidance" by officials who are expected to be guided by a divine mandate. Iran, Saudi Arabia, and some other Muslim countries today claim to be theocracies. Such nations assert Allah governs them through Ayatollahs, kings, or priests who claim to have been given leadership by divine authority. Josephus used the word theocracy to define the government of the Jews who had left slavery in Egypt under the invisible leadership of the Lord God of Israel. The nation was subject to His divine authority, and His word was communicated to them through prophets, the greatest of whom was Moses.
The fact that a church is a "kingdom of Priests" is not well accepted in this day of democracy. The United States of America fights to preserve "government by the people, for the people." In reality, the church is a body, not an organized system brought together like building an automobile. The living body of which Christ is the Head consists of a variety of parts created by a common Source without human intervention.
We cannot give life to a blade of grass, let alone to such a complicated unity as a body. There is a sense in which the rule of a benevolent dictator best describes the ideal government. However, that can only be accomplished by the Benevolent Creator in the way of His choosing. He has the right to form it as He wishes, so it will best fulfill the purpose for which it was made.
The testimony of creation, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork," reveals the reality of our great God. The survival of the Jews as a unique entity for thousands of years among nations that seek to annihilate them, along with the testimony of the Bible and the transformed lives of those who believe in Him, all provide evidence of God. The love of Christ, demonstrated at the cross, and the actions of those who have placed personal faith in Christ as their Savior, testify to what God is like. The returning Jews who had been captives in Babylon needed to learn about the nature of the government of which they were a part and the authority under which they were to conduct their lives.
Priests, Levites, and singers were all identified, and their roles in national life were defined. They understood that their obligation to the nation would require them to be away from home for two weeks of service at the temple, in addition to the time needed for travel to and from the capital city of Jerusalem. The remainder of the time was theirs to work and provide for their families. Occasionally, there were national emergencies in which they were expected to do what was necessary for the good of the nation as a whole. Additionally, they had the obligation to observe the national holidays (feasts of Jehovah) at certain times throughout the year.
Structure is essential for society to function properly, and those who returned to Israel could read from the Chronicles about how things had been accomplished in the past. In this way, they would gain a general understanding of what God desires in the present and future. The passage of time inevitably leads to the deterioration of everything; that is one of the laws of thermodynamics. Therefore, nothing is quite as good as it was when first created. They would build a temple, but it would not be as elaborate as the one Solomon constructed. However, the order of things affecting the people does follow a consistent pattern because it is effective.
Our duties as members of God’s family require us to fulfill our assigned service. The Holy Spirit knows each of us, what we are capable of doing, and gives us the ability to accomplish that service. There may be times when leaders of the Lord’s people ask us to do something they believe we can do. The Holy Spirit has given these men that responsibility. Receiving praise from people for doing a delegated job is not to be expected because we are, at best, unprofitable servants. We serve the Lord, and He knows what we have done and why. Our moral obligation is to do what we do for the Lord. We are never off duty in His service.
In the last year of David's reign, "porters" (gatekeepers) were appointed; these were trained, qualified men tasked with preserving the integrity of the temple of God and protecting the worship that took place there. Temple servants were not very visible among all the people who came to the temple to worship God. The priests and musicians were “out front,” but the temple servants ensured everything happened in an orderly fashion. They kept the treasures in the temple safe and served in the work of the Lord “for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.” There was no division between secular and sacred work, and no tensions between God’s and the king’s work.
Obed-Edom had been faithful when he kept the ark of God in his house. Shortly before the temple was built, David entrusted Obed-Edom and his sons and grandsons with administrative responsibilities that aligned with their abilities. They were to guard the center of the nation's activities and treasures. The eight sons were a result of "God blessed him" by giving him "mighty men of valor" who were "strong" and "able." Their courage, bravery, physical strength, and skills made them the kind of individuals who could safeguard the national treasury. Additionally, they could discern who should be allowed into the temple and who should be kept out.
Training younger people by older, experienced individuals is the means by which we can pass on "the things that are most surely believed among us" from one generation to the next. God has given gifts to His servants for the benefit of the entire body and the local assemblies of His people. Those whose faithfulness has been tested and proven, and in whom justifiable confidence is placed, represent God's way of maintaining and promoting His work.
The areas of responsibility to be filled do not depend on one's social status or educational background. Social standing is neither a help nor a hindrance to being given a role in the house of God, and the same is true today. An individual's background may assist in their training, but it is not a qualification for spiritual work. One man was noted as a "wise counselor." He would not be one who looked at things through the lens of the world's system but would recognize spiritual needs when he saw them and could provide counsel from the best possible source.
There were four thousand “gatekeepers” whose “behind-the-scenes” work was necessary. Gatekeepers were well-rounded men who could be relied upon because their hearts were in the work. They understood their responsibility for holy things and took it seriously. They knew what utensils were needed for each day’s events and ensured they were in their proper places, returned, and made ready for the next time.
The responsibilities of those whose names are listed here included providing food for the priests and animals for the sacrifices, maintaining the furniture in the temple, making sure incense was ready to be used, and being accountable for gifts and finances. There was no question as to who was in charge of each matter.
The four gates of the temple came from four directions. The eastern gate was the most frequently used, so there were six doorkeepers there and four at each of the other three gates. One was accessed by a paved highway that the king would use. Some of those men were known as “mighty men of valor;” others as “strong” men, and others as “able men for strength for service.” The men suited the roles they were to fill.
In whatever place one serves the Lord, let us do it "with our might, as unto the Lord, and not unto men." Comparing my place of service with that of others serves no good purpose in our Lord's sovereign plan. He knows who is best suited for a particular place and work. Knowing that I am in the right place, doing the right thing for the right reason is a source of joy. The results are up to our Master. Inside the temple, the nation's treasures were kept. Dedicated items, spoils of war, and the precious materials of the temple itself were to be protected and used for the right reasons. The gatekeepers ensured that all daily utensils were returned and stored correctly. They stored food supplies, cared for the furniture, mixed the incense, and did whatever was necessary to maintain the temple and its service. Moses' grandson was the chief treasurer who knew what was available for temple use. Others were present to keep track of everything, noting where items were needed and how they were to be used.
The house of God today, the local assembly of God's people, is a place of great treasure. Finances need to be carefully tended to and used consistently with the purposes of the assembly. However, there are spiritual treasures as well. Careful accounting is performed when multiple people are responsible for the treasures belonging to the house of God. Spiritual treasures relate to fellowship and how it should be maintained.
The welfare of the saints, along with the care and support of each individual, falls under the responsibility of those in charge of the treasury. "Tithes and offerings" are wonderful testimonies to the faithfulness of God's people toward one another and society at large. We are to "do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith." Our young and old, our poor and bereaved, and our widows and orphans all require our care and concern.
Even before he died, David understood the importance of having the nation unified and kept safe and orderly by officers and judges throughout the country. The judicial system was structured to provide recourse for upholding the law and maintaining order in every area of the nation. It appears that the region east of the Jordan River was of particular concern because there were more judges and officials there than in other parts of the nation. There could have been an "us versus them" attitude that is quite common today. Sometimes it arises from geography or whether one lives in urban or rural areas.
Wisdom is essential for administering justice. Officers enforce the law while judges define and interpret it. When both are functioning correctly, society remains peaceful. In the house of God, order is taught and practiced, especially as we carry out the teachings of the truth of God, learned each time the scripture is opened.
Those whose spiritual maturity and experience qualify them to provide instruction, correction, and comfort will apply truth to individuals on a personal basis with spiritual wisdom. When handled properly, conflicts between individuals are resolved personally, with one or two witnesses, and do not need to be known by the entire church. Properly performed delegated duties contribute to God's people's fruitful and normal life, making it a joy.
Sometimes, services are performed because God has gifted us to do them. At other times, God utilizes what is inherent in our nature, which he forms. Some people possess natural skills and expertise. In the work of the Lord we are called to, there is a place for all of these abilities. Some are strong and capable of handling heavy tasks. Such individuals are typically willing to do whatever is asked of them. They understand their capabilities and perform their work as if for the Lord. Whatever work God gives us, He will reward it.
Some possess a natural wisdom to see more than what is in front of their nose. Not everyone sees the big picture, but the wise are among those who know when to move ahead with a project because they understand what to do. Once a task has started, they are there to see it through. The mighty men of valor are not intimidated or afraid. They have learned to trust God personally and focus on the work ahead. Their joy comes from witnessing a victory in which they played a part. They are wise enough to recognize that God initiated that work.
In the house of God, we need those who are skillful in word and deed. Able men know what must be done and will step forward to lead. They know how to start a task and see it through to the end. They are also able to unite diversity and use what God sends. The strong in body and faith are a great asset to the work of God’s house. They will accept a designated task and ensure it is carried out. There is no tendency to slack or leave their assigned work undone. They finish the part of the work they’ve been given even when left alone.
Wise counselors are needed when problems arise. They hear all the issues surrounding a problem, and then they can apprise the situation and find the solution to reach a reasonable conclusion. When necessary, they may take advice from others in serious collusion. The mighty are on guard; they stand their ground against an implacable foe. They have learned by experience to act in faith, so they are not afraid to go to the source of the evil that threatens to stop the work of the house of God. Each one fills the work given and does it for the Lord.