1st Chronicles 6 THE SERVICE OF GOD 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 there are a series of lists that distinguished those who were given specific work on behalf of all of the Lord's people. When we understand the variety of positions our Lord has designated for His people to fill in their public testimony, that enables us to be content with what our role is in the work. Divine Persons have gifted us to be able to do what by nature we couldn't and then He arranges the opportunities to use that gift and calling. The use of these gifts keeps us united as we each realize the need of us as individuals to fulfill our responsibility to God and His people.
The first list is of the 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 that in spite of 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.
Priests and Levites were dispersed to all parts of Israel and they were able to use their influence in positive ways for the benefit of the Lord's people where they were place. Not all priests are mentioned in the list of names. Some of the Levities 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 had influence on the God's people , and apart from some serious lapses on the part of each, they were a blessing to the Israelites. Moses had God-given leadership capacities that were unmatched. Aaron was a smooth-talking capable man who wanted to please the people but was willing to stand up for what was right when he was propped up by Moses. 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 and underlying vindictive spirit toward her younger brother Moses. One who leads God's people are not perfect people. 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 was fatal. Aaron and Miriam on the other hand, had occasions when their moral weakness brought temporary consequences.
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 with confidence, knowing that they are acting under divine guidance and authority. They should do what is right and we should be able to emulate them gladly.
Eleazar and Phinehas were priests who could confirm God's word in an uncompromising way and yet correct wrongs with tact and integrity when it was appropriate. Integrity is not based on heavy-handed demands of adherence to the law, which is necessary at times, but also wisdom is needed in situations where there is controversy because of a difference of opinions. Those engaged in spiritual leadership need to be strong and compassionate at the same time. 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 well as when they do wrong. Those costs are part of what is expected when we are actively engaged in the service of God.
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 free-lances but are accountable to God, to His people, to their designated calling and to those who labor closely with them. Gershon, Kohath and Merari each had specific responsibilities when the cloud lifted off the tabernacle as the sign 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.
In temple service everything from moving the animals to the appropriate place for sacrifice, to the singing of appropriate "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" was done by the Levites. They were trained from generation to generation to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. It is incumbent on those who have been ministering to the Lord and His people in some appointed way, to make sure that work is continued by qualified and exercised younger people. They have a right to know why the work they do is important 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 work is neglected or not accomplished as it should be.
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. Discordant music has a negative effect on worship and testimony. The words of a hymn or a Gospel song needs to be well-sung and heard clearly when the people of God are assembled. The fact of the changing of sounds in music coordinates the variety of voices so, that by saying the same words at the same time, the truth being conveyed is easily understood. This cannot be done in a chant or when words are overpowered by instruments. Mere sounds are not the point of music in assembly gatherings. Scriptural truth is able to be made 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.
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 in spite of 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 the restoration of public worship and also having the Levites move to areas designated by lot. Lots would leave the results with God, and would preserve from charges of favoritism or nepotism as to who lived where.
The six cities of refuge which were likely mainly inhabited by Levites, they 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 to show 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. It instructions are important 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, has an effect on 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.