THE SERVICE OF GOD. 1st Chronicles 6 The role of those who serve God on behalf of His people and serve the people for God is very important. In this long chapter, a series of lists distinguishes those given specific work on behalf of the Lord's people. Understanding the variety of positions our Lord has designated for His people to fill in their public testimony enables us to be content with our role in the work. Divine Persons have gifted us the ability to do what, by nature, we couldn't, and then He arranges the opportunities to use that gift and calling. Using these gifts keeps us united as we each realize the need for us as individuals to fulfill our responsibility to God and His people.
The first list is of priests who all came from the tribe of Levi. Levi and Simeon, the sons of Jacob, had acted in cruelty, bitterness, and hatred against the men of Shechem and were consequently not given territory of their own in the promised land that they could claim for themselves and their posterity. Simeon was blended into Judah, and some of them went north as far as Dan. Levi had stood for God when others failed, so despite the wickedness of the original son of Jacob, they had been given a special role to fill in the nation of Israel. A lesson for us to learn is that even though there is a dark past in the lives of some of God's people, there is a work for them still in the service of God.
When God saves us by His grace, He begins with us there, at that moment in that place and in that situation, and adapts us into our new life in a way that best pleases Him. We do not realize this at the time, but when we look back over life's history, we face the fact that there may still be consequences we have to accept because of sin in our lives before we were saved. Some things we have to live with, and some areas of service we will not be able to participate in. But that does not mean we are useless and have nothing to contribute to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
In the various lists in this chapter, some names are repeated because of the purpose of the list. For instance, the first list traces the line of the Levites from Aaron, the first priest, through Eleazar, his third son, to those descendants that we carried away into Babylon. Aaron’s first two sons died because they offered “strange fire” at the altar. Ithamar’s branch of the family was rejected because of Eli’s sons.
Families are usually marked by genetic characteristics, habits, or traits passed on from previous generations. The Levites were supposed to be representatives of God to the nations around them and of the nation to God. A Levite had the responsibility to maintain an exemplary life and conduct and be faithful to God.
Priests and Levites were dispersed to all parts of Israel and could use their influence positively to benefit the Lord's people where they were placed. Not all priests are mentioned in the list of names. Some of the Levites stand out. Amram was a man of faith. He and his wife, Jochabed, had three children who were each different in personality and ability. Each one influenced the God's people, and apart from some serious lapses on the part of each, they were a blessing to the Israelites. Moses had unmatched God-given leadership capacities. Aaron was a smooth-talking, capable man who wanted to please the people but was willing to stand up for what was right when Moses propped him up. He could handle the public priesthood quite well. Miriam was a good singer and seemed to be a good leader of women, even though she had an underlying vindictive spirit toward her younger brother, Moses.
One who leads God's people is not a perfect person. We all fail in some way, but that does not necessarily mean we are finished. However, in the case of Nadab and Abihu, the consequences of their willful and casual attitude toward holy things were fatal. Aaron and Miriam, on the other hand, had occasions when their moral weakness brought temporary consequences.
Eleazar and Phinehas were priests who could uncompromisingly confirm God's word and, when appropriate, correct wrongs with tact and integrity. Abiathar and Zadok had their times of testing in their priestly ministry. There is a price to be paid by some when they do right and when they do wrong. Those costs are part of what is expected when we are actively engaged in the service of God.
Our lives and conduct represent God and His people to those around us who know us. We should be able to be trusted and upright in business. Our word should be reliable and binding. Those who know us should know we are committed to our Lord Jesus Christ and are faithful to the assembly we are a part of. Fellowship and faithfulness in the Gospel cannot be compromised because it may be inconvenient to us or others.
It is right to expect those who lead God's people and are given the privilege to speak for Him to conduct themselves in moral, physical, and spiritual ways that are consistent with the high standard of righteousness God desires. People should be able to look up to them and follow them confidently, knowing they are acting under divine guidance and authority. They should do what is right, and we should be able to emulate them gladly.
The second list of Levites traces the descendants of Levi in a more general sense. These people served at the tabernacle and temple but were not priests who offered sacrifices at the altar. In this list is Samuel, whose father, Elkanah, is called an Ephraimite. Perhaps that was because of the geographical location of his home. Samuel was able to make sacrifices as a priest. He was the last of the judges and was God’s spokesman to the nation of Israel.
Israel was in the last stages of moral and spiritual collapse when Samuel became God’s chosen leader to bring the nation back from ruin. He had experienced a personal relationship with God when he was a child, and it was obvious God was with him throughout his life. God brought revival through Samuel’s guidance, and the people were brought again to focus their attention on what God wanted.
Integrity is not based on heavy-handed demands of adherence to the law, which is sometimes necessary. Still, wisdom is also needed in situations where there is controversy because of a difference of opinion. Those engaged in spiritual leadership need to be strong and compassionate at the same time.
The service of the Levites included tending to the needs and maintenance of the tabernacle and the temple. Those returning from captivity needed to know that the people of God are not freelancers but are accountable to God, His people, their designated calling, and those who labor closely with them. Gershon, Kohath, and Merari each had specific responsibilities when the cloud lifted off the tabernacle, which was a sign that it was time to go forward. When each person fulfilled their assigned task, it was like the tabernacle melted and moved from being a structure to a parade of material crossing the desert. At the appointed spot, when the cloud stopped, the material would rise before the eyes of those looking on like a miracle being performed until it was a unique building put in the right place in the right way, and then the cloud would come down right on top of the tabernacle.
There is another list of those who led the music in the temple. Among those involved in that service was Asaph, who wrote several of the psalms sung in the temple. Each family of the tribe of Levi had a role to fill in the service of the Lord. In temple service, the Levites did everything from moving the animals to the appropriate place for sacrifice to singing appropriate "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." They were trained from generation to generation to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. When Heman from the family of Kohath led the music, he needed Asaph from the family of Gershon, the music coordinator, at his right hand, and Ethan of Merari at his left.
It is incumbent on those who have been ministering to the Lord and His people in some appointed way to make sure that the work is continued by qualified and exercised younger people. They have a right to know why their work is essential and how to do it best. They should also be made aware of what will happen if they get careless and seek to do things in their own way. They should know why certain things should not be done and why the consequences can be very serious if a task is neglected or not accomplished as it should be.
In our service for the Lord, we need to commit ourselves to doing what we have been appointed to do in the right way. Each believer has a work to do, and when all the divinely appointed roles are coordinated by the Holy Spirit, worship, service, and testimony can do the work in the kingdom of God that He expects of His people.
Discordant music has a negative effect on worship and testimony. The words of a hymn or a Gospel song must be well-sung and heard clearly when the people of God are assembled. The changing of sounds in music coordinates the variety of voices so that the truth being conveyed is easily understood by saying the exact words at the same time. This cannot be done in a chant or when instruments overpower words. Mere sounds are not the point of music in assembly gatherings. Scriptural truth can be personal to every person who participates when they sing the words together. No longer are they merely listening, but by singing words, it has a personal effect of edifying themselves and others.
Elkanah, Samuel's father, was a Levite living in Ephrath, where Bethlehem is located. Samuel's father would have been involved in tabernacle service in his turn, so Samuel's service to the Lord by serving Eli would not have been strange to him. When the musicians led the music, Heman, the grandson of Samuel, was there doing his service for the Lord despite the failure of his father Joel's sinfulness.
So that those returning from exile would know what to do and where to go, the chronicler listed the tribe of Levi, designating those of the priestly work. Then he listed those who had the responsibility of the temple, those who were responsible for the music, and the duties associated with Levitical service. There was a list to tell the Levites where they were to live. The resettlement program included restoring public worship and having the Levites move to areas designated by lot. Lots would leave the results with God and preserve from charges of favoritism or nepotism as to who lived where.
Then there is the list of the cities of refuge designated for the Levites, with pasture and farmlands to meet their physical needs. This list includes six cities, three on the west side of the Jordan River and three on the east side, to provide a place of safety for those who accidentally killed someone. These cities were positioned throughout the whole land so that any Israelite was within a few miles of safety.
Shechem was a special city because Abraham built his first altar in the land there. Jacob bought land there when he returned to Canaan, which was also the first capital city of the northern tribes. Kadesh was the northernmost of the cities of refuge west of the Jordan; Bezer was the farthest south, east of the Jordan River. Hebron was the city designated as the place for the priests to live.
The six cities of refuge, which were likely mainly inhabited by Levites, would be the judges for the most part and thus would be more impartial than those who were kin. Local tribal interests or disputes would not be a major concern to the Levites because their service for God was distinct. To some, this may not have seemed important until an accident happened. The Levites would hold a preliminary hearing outside the gate to determine the next step to take in a dispute. The accused person had to remain inside the city walls. Even if the death of a person was accidental, the one who caused it had to stay inside the city until the high priest died. Justice and mercy go together, and those engaged in the leadership of God's people are responsible for showing both.
We think some things are insignificant and/or petty, but when the unity and fellowship of God's people are at stake, nothing should be considered unimportant. Even the details given that seem small and irrelevant have to be considered to have a clear understanding of an issue. If instructions are essential enough to have been placed in the scriptures by the Holy Spirit, we need to know them and apply them to situations in which we are found or are called upon to make a wise judgment.
God identified His servants by name in the past, whether they were priests, those who gave out hymns, or those who prayed. Some made decisions that affected many, and others affected one or two people, but none were irrelevant to the Lord. We live today in a similar public reference where what one of the Lord's people does affects the public testimony of an assembly. Some decisions are made that have far-reaching effects. As those who serve a living Savior, we need to remain unified with the Lord's people and still do that to which we have been called without interfering with another man's line of things.
The Levites had a work God had given them to do, and they dared not leave God’s dwelling place until that work was completed. Each knew the role he had to fill, the burden he had to carry, and the official duties that claimed their time. They were not to tarry. Aaron’s family went to the altar; their work was that of priests to offer sacrifices and perform priestly duties. Asaph’s family stood on the right, to keep the musical score and make sure the psalms and hymns were sung appropriately. Merari’s family stood on the left, each ready to assist in maintaining the order lest anything significant be missed.
They also had their families to maintain and their own work back home to do, but when it was their turn to serve, they went to the Lord’s house as representatives of the people. They lived among the other tribes but had a separate identity because it was their calling from the Lord to serve Him faithfully.
That practice and order should still be maintained among God’s people. Not everyone who serves the Lord knows how to participate in holy things until he is shown by others the order of God’s work and how assembly work is done. Older folks should take the time to guide the younger ones and explain the reasons for each event and how it is best done. Even the hymns we sing need attention given to the words so they are appropriate for the occasion. We can support God’s work and give financially to the Lord without drawing attention to ourselves.
Some things may seem insignificant, but special needs must be addressed whenever the assembly meets. Some people may not realize the work each other does, but the Lord we serve knows. We do our service for Him, and He is the only one who needs to know what we do. We don’t need to compare our work with others or keep track of the time it takes. Our only concern is that it is done for the Lord; we serve for Jesus’ sake. When all the saints do their part, the work of God succeeds. The needs are met, the saints are encouraged, and the Gospel is fully preached.