1 Chronicles 23-24

Read 1 Chronicles 23-24

Verses for meditation: 1 Chronicles 23:4-5 ESV

"Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 shall be officers and judges, 4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.”

Reflect

What more is there to learn about David from these chapters?

What lessons can be derived concerning serving in the temple?

What could be the reason behind the lowering of age limit from thirty to twenty?

What experiences can be drawn from being a makeshift as well as permanent temple?

What strikes the most when reading the passage?

Relate

At first glance, what appear to the casual reader are a few long lists of names. There seems to be much credit given to those on the lists. It makes one wonder if they were well earned. And could this be how it looks like in the book of life. Anyway, that's for another day.

In these chapters, David is mentioned for his role in putting things together and a system in place concerning the affairs of the temple. Despite being advanced in years, he had shown no lack of determination in ensuring that the running of the temple went on without a hitch. He was, on all counts, the forerunner when it comes to the builder of the temple.

He had in the latter years of his reign conscripted 38, 000 Levites who were 30 years and older, majority of whom he put in charge of the work of the temple. Some of them he also made officials and judges. And still others, he assigned the role of gatekeepers. 4,000 were tasked solely with the responsibility of praising the Lord in the temple. He spared no expense in manpower. And even 

instituted shifts and a fair rostering system to boot.

Contrary to what others think, a lot of administration actually goes into planning worship. But anyone else would have been easily caught up in its details, but not David who did it all in the spirit of worship. Everything he did was for the God whom he worshipped. They were not mere lip service nor an attempt to win the approval of others. Most of all, he did not let worship slide a bit in the process. At all times, he was reminded of the centrality of worship, that it is all about God.

I've told a few friends that there are two characters in the bible, which grip my attention as well as curiosity. One of them is Paul in the New Testament. And the other is David in the Old Testament. From Paul, I would like to learn all there is about ministry. And from David, all there is about worship. 

As a church, we've experienced our fair share of what it's like to be a makeshift church where we would bring out instruments and props only to keep them back where we took them from right after service. This was besides accommodating the dim lightings in the cinema halls. Soon, together with all the other limitations, they began to take a toll on our spirits. 

Since returning to our own building some four years ago, we've begun to think long - term again. We've even considered reviving the young adults ministry among a few other things. We would really like to see our youths and young adults being more involved in life of the church. We do not wish for any one of them to drop out nor lose any one of them. This could probably be the same reason behind David's decision to lower the age limit from 30 to 20 as he wanted to involve the young in the work of the Lord. And what better way than this to instruct the young in the ways of the Lord. Furthermore, since the days of moving the tabernacle, with the ark and all, from place to place were over with the temple soon to be ready, the fear of the young men committing a faux pas with the sacred items was no longer a dreaded concern. 

However, this whole concept of permanence and temple would later be challenged and redefined by Christ who is the eternal embodiment of the temple.

Suffice to say, the thing that strikes the most on closer study is the work, the cost, the thought, the priority as well as the emphasis given to worship. So, as David had done his part, to what lengths then would we go?

Rest

Lord, we thank you for making it so much easier now for us to worship. Heighten then our experience of worship. Broaden then our understanding of worship. Deepen then our love of you, the One and Only whom we worship.

Naville Chia