1st Chronicles 24 TEAM WORK Those who returned from Babylon were beginning a whole new way of life as individuals that could have made the coordination of the restored group difficult. The historical account of how temple worship began would have helped them understand how a whole group of individuals can use their unique differences to benefit everybody in the nation. Continuity of the past temple worship and service was being passed on to them. The value of doing things in a certain way is because it works right. It works right because it is what God arranged and He knows and decides what is right or wrong.
Beside the visible temple worship and service, was the fact that the unseen responsibility to the law and the prophets who spoke for God, was to be kept. Outward visible practice is indicative of inward appreciation and worship. Obedience to God and His word is much more than a form. We can go through the motions of doing what is right, and still be far away from God. Those unseen parts of our life are far more important and valuable then submission to a form or a king. The returned Jews did not have a king but they had the Lord God of Israel, His word and His revealed will by the law and the prophets who spoke for Him.
Israel's hope lay in the concern of individuals for "all Israel," and the promise of a new day when the Messiah would come and fulfill all the promises of God to His earthly people. Our present-day hope and our commitment are not to what pleases or makes me fulfilled, but what pleases God and blesses His people through my participation in worship and service. When my part in the things of God is done in coordination with others, the whole company of saints is blessed. This legacy which we have been left of worship and service as a testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ is best served and kept when there is order maintained. Order in the work of God is able to be maintained by delegated responsibility.
The list of priests begins with the sixteen sons of Eleazar and the eight sons of Ithamar. The sin of Nadab and Abihu is not mentioned here because it would serve no purpose in establishing the order and structure of the priestly ministry that was to begin again. When things are done "decently and in order" we are free to respond to the guidance of the Holy Spirit without confusion. The Spirit controls the participation in ways that are appropriate to the event and the need. In that way we can bring glory to God, and there is a calmness and freedom because preparation in advance has opened the under divine guidance.
Eleazar had the place of the firstborn after his elder brothers died. He had the double portion of the firstborn and the leadership responsibility that goes with that position. He had a larger number of sons than Ithamar, and they perhaps had better leadership ability, that was passed on to his progeny. Zacharias the priest who was the father of John the Baptist, was one of the future priests from Eleazar's son Abijah. He was living in the "hill country" of Judea and got word of the miracle of John's birth when he was fulfilling his course in the temple. Each of those priests had a two-week shift to fill as their "course." Then they were free to return to their homes and families. John was a prophet from the priestly family.
The Levites listed in this chapter would have been those who had specific assignments to fulfill in their shifts at the temple. The variety of duties was quite clear so each one who came to do his service would know what to do to maintain continuity in the flow of temple service. In assembly life there is plenty of opportunity for service for all who love the Lord and want to participate in whatever way they can. Not everyone has the "out-front" work of public speaking or public service. There is equally important work to do that is really only known by the Lord and He is the One who counts when it comes to making our lives count.
There were those who served as administrators, like supervisors over the work, and there were judges. Those who were responsible for the ministry were the priests and those who assisted them. Caretakers and bakers were the service department of the temple. Financial duties were delegated to those who kept the treasury and the gifts that were given. They would have to keep close account of those things lest there be a charge of theft or fraud relating to those things that belong to the Lord.
The artistic people would be singers and musicians who had to know the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Perhaps there were also artisans who had to maintain the decorative parts of the temple. The protection detail of the temple was the responsibility of the gatekeepers who would have to know who and why people were coming into the temple, where they were going and who they would see. In the whole teamwork process, there would be an order maintained even though it may have seemed confusing at first to one looking on. That is actually what happened in the temple when our Lord was here. Order had broken down, and there were all kinds of confusion that mixed worship, business and pleasure so that there was really nothing for God in it.
In the work of the Lord today, in a similar way to the ancient days, there was specific work designated for individuals. Ezra was a scribe. Gad was a seer/prophet. There were, and still are "chief men among the brethren." These responsibilities would not run contrary to the united teamwork of the temple service. There are places for private exercise in the assemblies of God's people but it has to be consistent with the overall objectives that are guided by the Holy Spirit. This is done through those He has raised up to lead and feed the Lord's people.
"Casting lots" or impartial designation of a work to be done is to keep from showing favoritism or "respect of persons." David, the priests and the leaders of the people were all observers when lots were cast to witness to its fairness both to those who are older and to the younger.