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Chronicles chapter 9 discusses the repopulation of Israel after their
Babylonian captivity. In many ways this represents the Christian
life. We are called back to the relationship with God that we were
created for. The chapter begins, “The
people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because of their
unfaithfulness.
Now
the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were
some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants“.
Notice a few things, unfaithfulness lead to the captivity, but the
70 years of exile is not mentioned. God desires to do a work of
restoration in your life and that cannot happen while we are
living in the past. Isaiah 43:18
is a great reminder to those of us that have failures in our past.
“Forget
the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new
thing!”
Look
ahead, God has forgiven you.
Next the verse indicates upon the return, the nation is no longer
split into northern and southern tribes. Israel is once again one
nation. “Those
from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in
Jerusalem were…”
The world looks for things that divide us, but salvation is for ALL.
“For
there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men”
(1 Timothy 2:5).
I
am struck by the focus on a group that is rarely mentioned, but is
absolutely vital. It reminds me of our responsibility as “The
gatekeepers”
in our home, our church and our own minds and hearts. What does a
gatekeeper do, but take responsibility for what comes in and out.
This is not an easy job, in fact we read that they were on duty “for
seven-day periods“.
Vigilance does not get a day off. Also notice, “The
gatekeepers belonging to the camp of the Levites“.
It is interesting that these guys did not just hang out at the
temple, “their
chief being stationed at the King’s Gate“.
That was a long way from the temple. We no longer have to just
watch the doors and windows; we have to pay attention to the
electronic entrances too. We need to have our guard up in all areas
of our life. And note what they were responsible for: “guarding
the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord… for the rooms and
treasuries in the house of God… the key for opening it each
morning… the articles used in the temple service… as well as the
flour and wine, and the oil, incense and spices“.
We need to be diligent that our regular worship is based on God’s
Word, but also the extra spices we add to our day are not overlooked.
The
chapter points out, “The
priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able
men, responsible for ministering in the house of God“.
This is one of the first and largest groups to return to the Promised
Land. They were going into hostile territory and they expected to be
attacked. These men were “able
men“,
they were not the slackers. In fact this phrase is translated as
“men
of valor“.
We will have our daily skirmishes, but do not forget our battle
has already been fought. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross by
willingly paying the debt that separates us from God. Now, we need
to remember Philippians 4:6-7, “Let
your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus“.