Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
1 Chronicles 9:1b-34
Nehemiah did a bit of record-keeping for the sake
of future generations. He documented the leaders of the people who returned
from exile and where exactly they lived. While these lists may seem unimportant
to us, to the Jews, who keep careful records of their family history, the lists
would have been a great service to them.
As I was reading the records, I was intrigued by
a group of people that I had never before given much attention. Of course, the
priests and Levites get a great deal of coverage in the Bible and rightfully
so; but the servants that caught my eye today were the gatekeepers. I’d like to
point out two things — their family history and their responsibilities.
First, gatekeepers were descendants of “the clan
of Korah” (1 Chronicles 9:19). Korah was a notorious
villain in Israel’s history (Numbers 16). He defied Moses’
authority and incited a rebellion against him. Though the Lord quickly
squelched the insurrection, the whole thing was a disgraceful event for the
people of God, one they would like to forget. How embarrassing it must have
been for anyone to say that they were descendants of Korah. It would be like saying
you were a descendant of Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus.
However, the Lord is gracious and kind. He does
not hold grudges, but He forgives; and He chooses to
use the descendants of Korah, despite their past sins and shortcomings. On
display here, in the use of the gatekeepers in the Temple work, was the mercy
of God, particularly in light of what gatekeepers did, which leads me to my
second point.
Gatekeepers “were responsible for guarding the
entrance to the Temple sanctuary, just as their ancestors had guarded the
Tabernacle in the camp of the Lord” (1 Chronicles 9:19-32).
“They were stationed on all four sides... The chief gatekeepers were in an
office of great trust, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries
at the house of God. They would spend the night around the house of God, since
it was their duty to guard it. It was also their job to open the gates every
morning. Some of the gatekeepers were assigned to care for the various utensils
used in worship. They checked them in and out to avoid any loss... Others were
responsible for the Temple furnishings, the items in the sanctuary, and the supplies...
Some members of the clan of Korah were in charge of preparing the bread to be
set on the table each Sabbath Day.”
Wow! While all eyes were on the priests and Levites
and the ceremonial sacrifices and offerings, these faithful
gatekeepers were behind the scenes serving the Lord in very important ways.
Guarding the sanctuary, keeping the furnishings and utensils, and protecting
the money and food — they must have been trustworthy individuals to have been
given such important responsibilities; and, yet, they are a group that we hear
very little about.
Daily Reflection
I am so thankful for the men and women who
volunteer every week in our church. Though all eyes are on those leaders on the
stage, there are countless “gatekeepers” with important responsibilities. Our
church could not function properly without their faithful service.
I am also grateful that God uses me to do His
work, a sinner with a checkered past, with many flaws and failures. Praise God
that He does not hold grudges, but in His mercy, He uses imperfect people to do
His work. What about you? Are you a faithful gatekeeper? Have you acknowledged
His mercy in using you to do His work? Believe me, He is recording your service.
BiAY.org |Day 264 — 101 Days to Go
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