Protectors and guardians of the Temple

I Chronicles Chapter 26

For the Temple, as many as 4,000 gatekeepers were named- see verses 1 through 11. These divisions of gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served the house of the Lord. They were assigned by families for guard duty at various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was decided by sacred lots.

The responsibility of the east gate went to Meshelemiah and his group. The north went to Zechariah, a man of unusual wisdom. The south went to Obed-edom, and his sons were in charge of the storehouses. Shupppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate and gateway leading up to the Temple. Six Levites were assigned each day to different gates. Last were the divisions from the clan of Korah and Merai.

The treasuries needed to be protected too. So other Levites, let by Ahijah were in charge of the treasury storerooms. The list of clans and leaders can be read in verses 21 through 28. The men dedicated some of the plunder they gained in battle to the house of the Lord.

In addition, from the clan of Izhar came Kenaniah and his sons, who were appointed to serve as public administrators and judges throughout Israel. From the clan of Hebron came Hashabiah and his relatives, seventeen hundred strong, to be in charge of the Israelite lands west of the Jordan and for all matters relating to the Lord and in service to the king. Also from this clan came Jeriah, who was leader of the Hebronites according to genealogical records. A search of these records was made during David's reign and capable men from the clan of Hebron were found in the land of Gilead. Tweny-seven thousand relatives of Jeriah were sent by David to the east side of the Jordan and put in charge of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manesseh.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The gatekeepers were Levites and did many jobs as well. They checked out equipment and utensils and used them each day and made sure they were returned. They did storing, ordering and maintaining the food supplies for all the priests and the sacrifices. They cared for the furnishings, mixed the incense that was burned daily and accounted for the many gifts brought. Plus many other duties.

Plunder from war belonged to the victorious army, but these soldiers gave their portion to the house of the Lord to express their dedication to God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In verse 5, it states that Obed-edom had sons with great authority and God had richly blessed Obed-edom. This leads us to see that God considered children a gift from the Lord and never a burden. His love of children never wobbles- as is shown throughout the Bible. I hope you can feel that way about your own children. They may give us headaches and they may give us sunshine, but they are loved by us and by the Lord.

This chapter also tells us about the army giving a portion of their plunder to the Lord. In those days, soldiers in the army probably didn't have much in the way of material possessions. So to give from what little they had, meant a great deal to the Lord. How about you today? Can you see that we are all obligated to give what we can and rejoice in giving? Give as a response of joy and love for God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.