1st Chronicles 27 ORDER AND ADMINISTRATION For the Jews who returned from Babylon to get on with the rebuilding of a properly functioning nation, and more specifically, a nation conscious of their spiritual heritage as the people of God they needed guidelines. The chronicler, for the most part, gave the positive side of the nation's history to give them understanding for the present need. We can learn by mistakes but we waste effort and time dwelling on the past mistakes we have made. Successful succession will happen when action is taken on principles that have been tried and proven and are now applied to the present.
In view of establishing the spiritual life and order in the temple, lists of names of suitable people in the past was given that would define areas of responsibility in temple worship and the people who were qualified to meet that need. In this chapter the military, tribal leaders, financial and agriculture business, and counselors were identified with the purpose that order and administration of life as a society might function smoothly. In the house of God, the order needed for effective worship and service depends on the quality of leadership among us. Some have natural leadership qualities but have little spiritual discernment. For us to have elections and choose who we want as leaders would make an assembly of no more value than a business. The spiritual life and purpose of a New Testament church cannot work right that way. That is why the Holy Spirit is the One who raises up divinely appointed leadership.
The safety of Israel was pressured by a "National Guard" of 288,000 men. 24,000 men were called to national service each month to be armed and ready to defend the nation from disorder within or attacks from without. On the occasion of a national emergency they could be called. Because of their military service for a month each year they would be trained and ready to act in defense of the people. Of particular importance in this military organization was the leaders. Those leaders were David's "mighty men" and others who had proved themselves to be trustworthy in their "service for the king." They were loyal men whose allegiance to David was unquestioned and who could take initiative on their own when it was obviously called for.
Among God's people today the Holy Spirit raises up those to lead who have been tried and proven to be reliable and trustworthy in difficult circumstances. They are loyal to the Lord and His people and take initiative in furthering the work of the Lord. Their example is worth following and is often seen when their own sons follow their father's walk of faith. They are qualified to lead the saints of God by their character and experience. Such men are not novices who have the answers but don't know the problem. Any changes they would initiate have been well thought through as to why and how things could be made better, and more importantly, what the results would be in the long run.
For order to be maintained in all areas of assembly life, we need to make sure those who are raised up to lead have been given the necessary training and appropriate opportunity to contribute significantly to the work of God. Those what are mature believers need to mentor those who are younger so that when the time comes, or the need arises, there are those qualified people the Holy Spirit can raise up and use to guide God's people. Those under twenty years old in Israel weren't conscripted or under the obligation associated with leadership, but were not ignored as if they had no responsibility or purpose. God saw the people as "stars" in number. We can probably see one million stars with our naked eyes when we look up at night. God knows each one of them by name, how much more each of us.
Those in charge of the safety of the nation of Israel were qualified by their character and experience. Those leaders of the tribes were qualified by their connections to their heritage of Israel's sons. They were family members who had the same interests and attitudes toward those with whom they had a shared heritage. A person who comes among God's people from some other group or religious persuasion needs to be proven by the passing of time and practice to represent what the assembly holds to be true and practices in public testimony.
When one says, "We didn't do it that way where I came from," or "Everybody else does it differently," or "You are really old-fashioned," you know there is one among you from a different heritage. That doesn't mean they can't be part of the assembly but they are not able to be one who leads the Lord's people. Confusion and division come when one tries to impose practices that are not tried and proven locally. The autonomy of an assembly suits it to the locality in which it is found. Assemblies are not franchises designated and controlled by a central authority except that of our Risen Lord and presided over by the Holy Spirit.
True, there is obvious likeness in scripturally gathered assemblies of God's people, but there are also differences. A rural population thinks and acts differently than those who live in a big city. Different languages and different nationalities carry out public testimony in ways suitable to them and the place where they live. There are a lot of different stars in the heavens, but they are all stars and are kept in order and position by divine control. We are limited by our humanity as to who we are, where we are and what we are like. The only way to maintain order and administration in an assembly is to see the people through God's eyes as much as possible. This can only be done through reading the scripture and applying what it teaches to the present event in this particular location.
David had a lot of people he was responsible for, not only as their leader but also their provider. Those who served in his army would be able to meet their own needs during the eleven months of the year they were home tilling their own land and providing for their own families. But there were also those who served the king continually. To provide for them the king had stewards who tended the financial and agricultural affairs of his government. Those identified were given areas of responsibility that were quite precise. Warehousing and finances needed people who were trusted to keep careful accounting of everything lest there be pilfering and stealing. Trustees over assembly property and finances should be those who can be counted on to deal as carefully with the things of God and others as they would over their own business.
Skill in one area of life does not mean one person can do everything. Those who were administrators over the laborers knew what should be done and how to do it. Those who grew the grain in the fields had a different proficiency in agriculture than those who grew the grapes in the vineyard. One who knows how to tend vines is not necessarily good at knowing how and when to trim the trees of an orchard to best produce fruit and/or olives. One who knows how to breed cattle and feed them best is not likely able to train touchy camels or stubborn donkeys. There is even a difference as to how and where feed sheep and goats.
God knows who we are and where we can be best used in His service. It may take quite some time before we find the niche we are to fill, but the training process is very important and is not time wasted. In our anxiety to get on with life and be productive, we naturally have a tendency to want to rush forward before we are ready. David knew the king of Israel was not to have horses lest they depend on the horses to give victory and rush into a thing without being qualified or ready. Each person needs to be ready - and waiting - until the opportunity comes to use our stewardship in the right place for the right reasons.
Not every person who offers advice is a person of insight. David had an uncle named Jonathan whose counsel was able to be trusted, and was willing and able to put down in writing those things that were said. Advice is always needed but the source is important. Insight is gained by experience or as a particular gift from God. Insight is not an "off the cuff" comment, but has been thought out carefully and adapted to each situation in a way that is suitable to the event. A variety of viewpoints is always useful to get the best perspective of anything before taking action.
To get wise counsel we need to consult with those who are most knowledgeable in various fields of expertise. David had one who knew the law, one who knew the people, one who knew what they were capable of accomplishing, one who knew the spiritual condition of the people - and likely other things as well. Not everyone knows all about anything. Usually people know a little about a lot of things. That is why there is safety in a multitude of counselors. The Lord Jesus Christ gave gifts that were actually people who were able to be effective communicators. The Holy Spirit gave gifts that are the capacity to do what is needed in an assembly when coordinated with one objective of bringing glory to God and benefit to His people. God gave gifts to be used in faith without even knowing what the final outcome will be.
When order is maintained with grace and truth, and the ministry of service in the on-going affairs of God's people is consistent, impartial, fair and effective then there will be peace and strength. Exercise of heart and daily fellowship with the Lord on the part of qualified leaders, helps us to maintain healthy assembly fellowship. In that way the assembly in turn can be a blessing to others.