THE LEVITES PARTAKE OF BUILDING THE TEMPLE We saw how the author cared to show the work of David in the different ordinances of the temple before his departure from this world. Chapters 23 to 27 came with details of the activities of building the temple and organizing its services; and how chapter 27 ended with the appointment of the political and military leaderships; For David did not separate the political and the military works from the religious works; particularly the care for building the temple, and or organizing the worship in it. David believed that the work needs all kinds of people with different roles, talents, and abilities; whether they were priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, soldiers, state officials, or common people. God calls all to work; and it is befitting of all to work faithfully in their diverse positions. Ministry to God needs all, and everyone has his own importance; any disturbance in the life of any believer, (as a member of the church) will cause a disturbance in the life of the church as a whole (the body of Christ). What a person does, even if it is something of minor importance, pours a special beauty upon the church work as a whole. David was preoccupied in his last days, not with the symptoms of old age, as much as with the persistent strife; beside the afflictions that dwelt upon him even from his very beloved son Absalom. He started to deliver his responsibilities to those who could consummate his mission. He appointed his son Solomon as his successor on the throne (and the author did not refer to the struggle around the throne that came in the first book of the kings). Then he appointed the political leaderships, followed by the religious ones. Chapters 23 to 27 came to mention in detail the different commitments of them. A census according to the will of God: When Davis commanded a census (1 Chronicles 21), we saw how the Levites were not numbered, for they were exempted from military service. Now, they are numbered, not to serve in the army, but in the liturgical ministry. Although the Levites were under the priests and helped them in their ministry; yet their work was not secondary, but essential in serving and teaching the people. No wonder that the Christian church, since the first century, set the deacon system, that was like that of the Levites in the old covenant. The Levites and their role in the temple: David believed that there will be no success unless the work is done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14: 40). In this chapter, the king assigned two kinds of work to the Levites: 1- Helping the priests to prepare the offerings (23: 28-32) 2- Caring for the temple: To supervise the building activities; to work as musicians, singers of praise, gatekeepers, and store-keepers . Every Levite worked in his own specialization . And being, himself, a musician and a psalmist, David cared for the musicians and the singers of praise; with one goal, namely, to glorify God, and to give Him thanks day and night. 1- Anointing Solomon a king 1 2- David gathers the leaderships together 2 3- Caring for the Levite 3 - 11 4- Different aspects of the ministry of the Levites 14 - 23 5- The duties of the Levites 24 - 32 1 ANOINTING SOLOMON A KING: “So when David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel” (1) Feeling that his departure from this world became close, David anointed Solomon a king, to put an end to the attempt of his other son Adonijah to take the throne by force (1 Kings 1, 2); (which was not mentioned in the first book of the Chronicles). Solomon inherited the throne according to a divine ordinance. Although David was only seventy years old; and yet he was “full of days”, and well satisfied with his life in this world . Feeling that his departure was at hand, he ordained what is good for the kingdom before his death; and was pleased to see how the church (the congregation of believers) and the state were well established. While the author did not mention the details of the enthronement of Solomon, as it came in the first book of the kings, he mentioned in full details the different ministries assigned to the priests and the Levite. 2- GATHERING THE LEADERSHIPS TOGETHER: “And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites” (2) Solomon was anointed a king in the presence of a revered gathering of the leaders and the people of Israel; which made the attempt of Adonijah to take the throne by force look more rude and foolish. Here we notice that securing the throne for the sake of the temple was the greatest blessing for the people, as well as a source of pleasure to those about to depart from this world. The way David cared to gather together what he could of the building materials, the expenses for the building, choosing the location of the building, and its architecture, he also cared to gather together the human resources and the civil leaderships, to work together with a spirit of unison. 3- CARING FOR THE LEVITES: “Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand” (3) Near the end of David’s reign, he made a census of the Levites from the age of thirty years and above; the age at which they start their service. While the last census was unacceptable to God, and ended in a tragedy (1 Chronicles 21); on account of that it was done by David out of a desire for knowing his human possibilities and resources, with a spirit of haughtiness and trust in his military might;. This census, on the other hand, was only for the Levites, for the sake of organizing the ministry in the temple of the Lord; It was, therefore, for edification and not otherwise.. The priests and the Levites, according to the law, practice work at the age of thirty years (Numbers 4: 3). Yet they were assigned for certain duties at the age of twenty-five (Numbers 8: 24), as a kind of training and preparation for their future responsibilities. But with the increase of the work load, they were allowed to start working at twenty years of age (23: 24). Changing the minimum age was referred by some to the change of circumstances, among which were: a- Delaying the work of the young Levites until past 25 years of age, led to that many of them, having much time on their hands, were addicted to pleasures and bad habits, something unbefitting of their reputation, and would come against assigning them to ministry later on. To avoid such tendencies, God allowed for assigning them in the earlier age of twenty years. b- The work of the Levites in the wilderness required physical strength to carry heavy loads; being committed to carry the tabernacle of meeting on moving from one place to another; as well as the two altars, the lampstand and all the holy vessels. Hence God did not allow them to work until they become physically stronger. In ministry and in labor, God does not let us work beyond our endurance. Concerning the ark of the covenant, it was carried by the priests by poles coated with gold. After building the temple, there was no more need to carry heavy loads; but other needs showed up for ministering the temple. c- Now, as God gave comfort to His people, and made Jerusalem His dwelling place forever; there was no more need to carry the tabernacle of meeting and its utensils from one place to another; and the ministry became easier, and could easily be done by twenty years old Levites. In the days of Moses the number of the Levites from thirty years of age to fifty (Numbers 4: 2-3), were 8580 (Numbers 4: 47-48). But now they grew four times as many, as it did for the rest of the tribes. Those engaged of the tribe of Levi were 38,000. In the new covenant there is no prior condition of age, but rather for the spiritual, mental maturity, together with reason, understanding, and flaring zeal for the salvation of souls, and the edification of the kingdom of God. “Of these, twenty-four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the Lord; six thousands were officers and judges” (4) The Levites were distributed according to their assignments (4-5), to let all work; as there is nothing worse than an idle Levite; and so that every part of the work will be elaborately done. What a great honor to have such a large number ministering to the Lord’s house!. As the honor of the great men is measured by the multitude of their entourage; we can see how great was the house of Israel, looked after by God Himself. Those working to the account of the kingdom of God, represented the servants of the heavenly throne, and the cloud of angel-like men beyond count. How great was Israel’s honor to have such a great number of those assigned to minister to God among them. … Now, if the worship of God in Israel happen to deteriorate, the reason would not be the lack of laborers, but would most probably be slothfulness and unfaithfulness on the part of those assigned to do the work. The Levites numbered 38,000, were divided into four main groups according to the kind of work allotted to them: a- 24,000 – the great majority, or about two third, to look after the temple, to lead the work in the house of God; They had to attend to the priests in the task of preparing the sacrifices, of slaughtering, skinning, washing, cutting and burning, to prepare the burnt offering, to remove the ashes, to cleanse the vessels and containers, to bring everything back to its proper place; and to run the ministry in its proper order. They were divided into 24 groups, 1000 every week. This system continued for 400 years until the time of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35: 4). b- 6000 officers and judges, not to solve any problem that might happen in the temple, as such would be the task of the priests; but to solve the problems of the congregation all over the land according to the statutes of God. They were distributed on several regions in the kingdom to help the leaders and the elders of every tribe in running justice. They were the ‘Shethorim’ referred to in (Deuteronomy 16: 18; 1 Chronicles 26: 29) c- 4000 as gatekeepers and guards to keep anything unclean from entering into the temple, to examine those who intend to enter, and to keep anyone who attempt to enter by force; they, therefore, might probably been armed for their task. d- 4000 singers and musicians to lead the congregation in a joyful worship; Although that was a new ministry initiated by David who cared much for music; yet it was through a divine inspiration; and they were in contact with David through his prophets (2 Chronicles 29: 25).. “Four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praise the Lord with musical instruments, ‘which I made’ said David, ‘for giving praise’” (5) The gatekeepers were assigned to guard the tabernacle of meeting and the sanctuary, to keep away anyone not allowed to enter; and to keep even those allowed from going beyond certain limits (32). They were assigned as well to guard the sons of Aaron, and to help them in their work. They were called ‘their brethren’ to let the priests remember that, even though they proceed them in rank, yet they all come from the same rock like the regular Levites; hence they should not feel superior to them, but treat them like brethren. The choir of musicians praising the Lord were 4000 Levites. In the old covenant the concentration was on the musical instrument to support the worshippers; But now in the new covenant, the concentration is on humans with their bodies, souls, holy emotions, feelings, and thoughts; They are like heavenly harps that present a symphony of love, acceptable to the Father in our Lord Jesus Christ. “And David divided them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, ad Merari” (6) Again we find a genealogy of the Levites: a- The Gershonites 7 -11 b- The Kohathites 12 -20 (including Moses and Aaron) c- The sons of Merari 21-22 Specific priestly works were assigned to Aaron and his sons (13); to burn the incense, and the ministry in the sanctuary. Concerning the ministry in the Most Holy Place, and offering the blessing in the name of Jehovah (Numbers 6: 23- 27), it is the task of the high priest alone. “Of the Gershonites: Laadan and Shimei” (7) “The sons of Laadan: the first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel – three in all” (8) “The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran – three in all. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Laadan” (9) “And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the four sons of Shimei” (10) “Jahath was the first and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, therefore they were assigned as one father’s house” (11) The Levites were distributed within their families and relatives so as to work in harmony and love, to work together as one spirit, and to be easy to spot anyone who is slothful in doing his duty. That is why the Lord Christ sent his disciples every two together, and He even sent two brothers together. Here two families were assigned as one father’s house (11); the weak were gathered together to have more stature. “The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel – four in all” (12) “The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him, and to give blessing inHis name forever” (13) It is worth noticing in numbering the families of the Levites, that the descendants of Moses, the great prophet, were numbered on the same level of any regular Levites, and were given no extra privilege or honor; whereas those of Aaron were assigned to priesthood and “to sanctify the most holy things” (13). It is mentioned that the sons of (Rehabiah), a grandson of Moses were very many (17). When God said to Moses: “Let Me alone that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make you a great nation” (Exodus 32: 10; Deuteronomy 9: 14); Moses declined and interceded for their sake; hence God rewarded him by increasing his descendants, and those of the tribe of Levi. The task of the priests is to sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him, and to bless His name forever. The Levites, on the other hand had no right to interfere in the task of the priest; Yet they had enough good work to do to which they were assigned (4-5). God raised Aarons household above the rest of the people, as a reward for his denial of himself. For while making his younger brother a god to Pharaoh, he (Aaron) was made just a prophet and spokesperson, to look after his younger brother, and to do according to his commands. We never heard that Aaron opposed Moses; nor sought the right of the firstborn, but accepted with pleasure what God assigned him to do. He submitted to Moses, and sometimes even called him ‘his lord’. Having submitted himself to his younger brother according to the will of God, God raised his household above that of Moses. …. Those who are content to condescend to a lower level than their own, would have the chance to rise. 4- DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE MINISTRY OF THE LEVITES: “Now the sons of Moses the man of God were reckoned to the tribe of Levi” (14) Moses was called “the man of God”; a magnificent title, that reveals someone who perpetually enjoys the divine presence, and in whose life, behavior, and thoughts, God occupies the position of prominence. The work to the account of the kingdom of God in all generations is in need of “men of God”, whose life reflects the presence of God, His splendor, and His divine might. In spite of what Moses had of a unique role of leadership; also of that of his brother Aaron, the first high priest of the people; the two books of the Chronicles did not assign a special chapter for them, on account of having such a prominent position above the rest of their tribe; but are mentioned among the other Levites and priests; for their role is not separate from the rest of them.. Moses behavior was a role model of self-denial; For, although he had favor in the sight of God and men, and he could easily raise the prestige and wealth of his household, yet he did nothing of the sort, and did not leave them with any trace of special privilege; a sign that he had the Spirit of God, and not that of the world. In the previous chapter David gave instructions concerning the building of the temple; Here in the following chapters, he establishes the ministry in the temple. In the early days of David, during the periods of wars, we assume that the ministry of the Levites was running, yet not with the supposed accuracy smoothness, and beauty ; But now, David as a prophet and a king, through an assignment of the divine care, set in order all the aspects of ministry in the temple. “The sons of Moses were Gershon and Eleazer” (15) “Of the sons of Gershon: Shebuel was the first” (16) “Of the descendants of Eleazer: Rehabiah was the first. And Elieazer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many” (17) “Of the sons of Izhar: Shelomith was the first” (18) “Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth” (19) “Of the sons of Uzziel: Michah was the first and Jesshiah the second” (20) “The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazer and Kish” (21) “And Eleazer died, and had no sons, but only daughters, and their brethren, the sons of Kish took them as wives” (22) It was written that the daughters of Eleazer married their brothers (22); but it is obvious that they married their cousins; for the term ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ was also used for the cousins. In the new covenant, it was said about the cousins of the Lord Christ that they were His brothers; the same way in the Christian tradition, including the reform movement of the protestants in the sixteenth century; that they considered that St. Mary who was sanctified by the Son of God incarnate in her womb, remained a virgin all her life. “The sons of Mushi wereMahli, Eder, and Jeemoth – three in all” (23) 5- THE DUTIES OF THE LEVITES: “These were the sons of Levi by their father’s houses – the heads of the fathers’ houses as they were counted individually by the number of their names who did the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and above” (24) “For David said, ‘The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever’” (25) “And also to the Levites, ’They shall no longer carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles of its service’” (26) The Levites no more carried the tabernacle of meeting and its furniture; as the temple became the perpetual dwelling place of the Lord. “For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above” (27) As the ministry in the temple needed more manpower, In his last words, David made the Levites start ministry from twenty years of age; “Because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of service of the house of God” (28) Those assigned to take care of the work in the house of the Lord (4), had to help the sons of Aaron (28); they had to do the hard work, if we should call any work in the house of the Lord as such; They had the duty to keep the house, its pass ways, and chambers, neat and clean; to put things in their proper place to be ready to use in their proper time; They had to prepare the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering; and to make sure that everything is at hand for the priests to use. We can put the main lines of the ministry of the Levites (28-32) as such: a- To take care of the courts and the chambers (28) b- To purify all the holy things (28) c- To minister to the house of the Lord (28) d- To prepare the showbread (29) e- To prepare the fine flour for the grain offering and the unleavened cakes (29) f- To make sure of the accuracy of all kinds of measures and sizes g- To praise the Lord on a daily basis day and night (30) h- The ministry bound to the set feasts, like the Sabbath, and the new moon, according to the law (31) i- To guard the temple “both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes, and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed, and with all the kinds of measures and sizes” (29) “To stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise in the evening” (30) There were two daily liturgical services: a morning and an evening service; which were basic to the Jewish society. Those were adopted by the Christian church according to what suits the service of the new covenant, and were called in the Coptic church:, ‘The offering of evening and morning incense’. “And at every presentation of a burnt offering to the Lord on the Sabbath and on the new moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the Lord” (31) The work of the singers was to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord in the morning and the evening offerings; beside the other offerings in the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the set feasts, etc. for which Moses commanded blowing the trumpets (Numbers 10: 10). Yet, as the sound of the trumpet was a little disturbing, David replaced it with singing the psalms of praise. Growing from its infanthood, the Jewish church became more reasonable in its worship; until, reaching to the right of the gospel, to “put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13: 11; Galatians 4: 3-9). “And that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the Lord” (32) ------------------------ AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 23 GRANT US, O LORD, THE FELLOWSHIP OF WORK TO THE ACCOUNT OF YOUR KINGDOM + Who is worthy, O my God, to work to the account of Your kingdom? Grant us the wisdom of David in preparing for building Your house; He was preoccupied, not only with gathering together gold and silver; But with motivating his son, the leaders, the priests, and the Levites to work together; Do not allow for the presence of any slothful man among us; Grant us to join the gatekeepers at the entrances of Your house; Grant our hearts to sing Your praise together with the musicians. + Grant us the love of the prophet Moses; He, who loved his people more than himself, his children, and all his household; He, who sought Your forgiveness for their rebellion, lest they perish; He, who sought Your forgiveness for their sin; or else, blot him out of Your book. He, who sought from You, O King of kings, to lead the procession in the wilderness; Or else, he would stand still and not move forward; Grant me such a heart, wide enough to love all mankind. + Grant me, O King of kings, the humility of Aaron; He, who was not disturbed when you said that his younger brother be his god; He, who did not count this as a loss of his firstbirth rights, nor an insult to his seniority of age; By whose humility, You made his descendants priests and high priests; Glory be to You, who works with the old and the young to the account of Your kingdom
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