1st Chronicles 26 DELEGATED DUTIES In a theocracy such as Israel was at the time of the building of the temple there was no division between that which was secular and that which was sacred. The national treasury was the temple. The important events were held at the temple, not at 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 and Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim countries today claim to be theocracies. Such nations say they are governed by Allah 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 which was Moses.
The fact that a church if 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 that has been brought together like building an automobile. The living body of which Christ is the Head is made up of a variety of parts created by a common Source without human intervention. We are not able to give life to a blade of grass let alone 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 done by the Benevolent Creator in the way of His choosing. He has the right to form it in the way He wants so it will best fulfill the purpose for which it is 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 testimony of the survival of the Jews as a unique entity for thousands of years among nations that want to annihilate them, the testimony of the Bible and the testimony of the changed lives of human beings who believe in Him all show evidence of God. The love of Christ that was demonstrated at the cross, and the actions of those who have put 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 the nature of the government they were a part of and under whose authority they were to conduct their lives.
Priests, Levites and singers were all identified and their role in national life was defined. They knew their obligation to the nation would require them to be away from home for two weeks of service at the temple plus the time it would take them to go and come from the capital city of Jerusalem. The rest of the time was their own to work and provide for their families. There were occasionally national emergencies in which they were expected to do what was needed for the good of the nation as a whole. Also, there was the obligation to observe the national holidays (feasts of Jehovah) at certain times of the year.
Structure is needed for a society to function properly and those who came back to Israel would be able to read from the Chronicles how things had been done in the past. In that way they would have a general idea as to what God wanted in the present and the future. The passing of time inevitably brings about deterioration of everything. That is one of the laws of thermodynamics. So, nothing is quite as good as it was when it was first made. They would build a temple, but not as elaborate as the one Solomon built. However, the order of things that affect the people does have a pattern to be followed because it works.
In the last year of David's reign there were "porters" (gatekeepers) appointed who were trained, qualified men to preserve the integrity of the temple of God and protect the worship that took place there. Obed-edom had been faithful when he kept the ark of God in his house. Shortly before the temple was built David gave Obed-edom, his sons and grandsons administrative responsibilities that were consistent with their ability. They were to guard the center point of the nation's activities and treasures. The eight sons were because "God blessed him" by giving him "mighty men of valor" who were "strong" and "able." Their personal courage and bravery, their strength physically, and ability made them the kind of people who could keep the national treasury safe. They were also able to discern who should be allowed into the temple and who should be kept out.
Training of younger people by those who are older and experienced is the way we can pass on "the things that are most surely believed among us" from one generation to the next. Gifts have been given by God to His servants to be used for the benefit of the whole body and the local assemblies of His people. Those whose faithfulness has been tried and proven, and in whom justifiable confidence is placed, are 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 was neither a help nor a hindrance in being given a role to fill in the house of God. The same is true now. The background of an individual may be a help in their training but it is not one of the qualifications for a spiritual work. Gatekeepers were well rounded men who could be counted on because their heart was in the work. They knew they were responsible for holy things and they took that seriously. One man was noted as a "wise counselor." He would not be one who looked at things through the eyes of the world's system, but would recognize spiritual needs when he saw them and could give counsel from the best possible source.
The four gates into the temple came from four directions. The eastern gate was the one most used so there were six doorkeepers there, and four at each of the other three gates. One was entered by a paved highway that would be used by the king. In whatever place one serves the Lord, let us do it "with our might, as unto the Lord, and not unto men." To compare my place of service with that of others serves no good purpose In our Lord's sovereign plan of things. He knows who is best suited for a particular place and work. It is a reason for joy to know I am in the right place, doing the right thing for the right reason. The results are up to our Master.
Inside the temple was kept the treasures of the nation. Dedicated things, spoils of war, the precious material of the temple itself was to be protected, and was to be used for the right reasons. The gatekeepers would make sure that all the utensils that were used each day was returned and stored in the right place. They would store food supplies, care for the furniture, mix the incense and do whatever was needed to maintain the temple and its service. The house of God today, the local assembly of God's people. is a place of great treasure. There are finances that need to be carefully tended to and used consistently with the purposes of the assembly. But there are spiritual treasures are well.
Moses' grandson was the chief of the treasurers who would know what was there for temple uses. There were others there who kept track of everything, where it was needed and what it was used for. Careful accounting is done when there are a number of people responsible for the treasure that belong in the house of God. Spiritual treasures are related to fellowship and how it is to be maintained. The welfare of the saints and how each one is cared for and helped is part of the responsibility of those who are in charge of the treasury. "Tithes and offerings" are wonderful testimonies to the faithfulness of God's people toward each other and society in general. We are to "do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith." Our young and old people; our poor and bereaved; our widows and orphans all need our care and concern.
Even before he died, David understood the need of having the nation unified and kept safe and orderly by officers and judges throughout the whole country. The judicial system was such that in every area of the nation there was recourse to upholding the law and maintaining order. It appears that the area 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 is because of the geography or whether one lives in the city or rural areas.
Wisdom is needed when carrying out justice. Officers enforce the law, and the judges define and interpret the law. When both are functioning properly, there is a peaceful society. In the house of God order is taught and done when we carry out the teaching of the truth of God we learn every time the scripture is opened. Those whose spiritual maturity and experience qualifies them to give instruction, correction and comfort will apply the truth to individuals on a personal basis with spiritual wisdom. When done properly, difficulties between people are settled personally with one or two witnesses, and never needs to be known by the whole church. Delegated duties performed in the right way make the fruitful and normal life of God's people a joy.