Today’s reading is a collection of odds and ends! It starts with the remaining genealogies of 1 Chronicles. Then, there is a preview of Israel’s return from exile for their idolatry. Next is a section revealing the scope of service required for the house of the LORD. The reading wraps up by reviewing Saul’s death, summarizing the end of Saul’s kingship—God turning the kingdom over to David. That’s a lot of jumping around for my brain! As I read these chapters, the section on temple service stood out to me.
1 Chronicles 9:22–34 describes 212 gatekeepers “in those days,” whose ancestors were initially appointed by David and Samuel. Remember that 1 Chronicles was written five hundred years after the time we are currently in as we read chronologically through the Bible. The Bible says that these gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrance to the house of the LORD. They were stationed on all four sides—north, south, east, and west.
These gatekeepers guarded the house of the Lord day and night, seven days on duty before someone would relieve them. They were responsible for protecting the treasuries. They would open the gates every morning. They were tasked with caring for the various items used for sacrifices and worship, keeping track of them to avoid any loss. They were also responsible for the furnishings and the supplies for sacrifices, such as choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense, and spices. I get the sense this was tedious work, maybe even mundane work—not glamorous! Not headline-worthy, earth-shattering, picture-perfect #instagrammable lives! I just don’t see #frankincense trending in Israel!
Yet, what’s interesting is that Psalm 84 describes the gatekeepers’ perspective on their duties. It was anything but mundane and boring for them! Psalm 84:1-4 details how they longed to go to work, and in poetic language, their souls “fainted” for the courts of the LORD. And then there is the verse that is quite familiar to most: verse 10 says…
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10, ESV)
These gatekeepers did not feel like they were missing out on anything! Sure, #frankincense may not have trended well in Israel, but it was #heaven-stagrammable for their souls.
Believers, as our lives revolve around the Lord, as our souls long for fellowship and worship in His courts, is it not our testimony that a day with God, a day as a Christian, is better than a thousand elsewhere? As our lives revolve around our Saviour and His righteousness, they may not trend well in this world, but are they not #blessed? Are they not #heaven-stagrammable?
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! … whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. (Psalm 84:4–5, ESV)
Child of God, rejoice that a day with God is better than a thousand without Him…that is #heaven-stagrammable!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Chronicles 7-10.
Oh the blessings! To be able to rejoice rejoice rejoice! Amen