Day 710: 1 Chronicles 24- Prepare The Priests!

The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers' houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father's house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. 27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses. 31 These also, the head of each father's house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites.
 
Meditation
Peter reminds Christians of our core identity: We are a priesthood of believers called to mediate the blessings of God in a broken world (1 Peter 2:9). This is an ancient description of the DNA for God’s people (See Exodus 19) and a reality that must be cultivated from generation to generation.
 
As we’ve seen, David prepared for the next generations work of building God’s temple. Today’s section focuses on the formation of priests who had “appointed duties in their service to come into the house of the Lord” (19). David organized them according to these appointed duties (3) so their priestly purposes would prosper.
 
The Apostle Peter says our purpose as priests is to, “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Christians are missionaries, priests in every profession and place God has called us. Christians must prepare the next generation to faithfully respond to God’s priorities through detailed discipleship.
 
David’s detailed organization should inspire us. David is rooted in God’s word and focused on optimizing God’s glory through the next generation prospering in their purpose. Likewise, Christians must root discipleship in developing the next generation of God’s holy priesthood solely in the soil of Scripture to grow for God’s glory. God’s purpose is for us to proclaim His excellencies! And His design is for His people to pass this down to the next generation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Who are you discipling? Are you developing God’s DNA in them, deepening their understanding of their priestly role in the world?
 
-Why is it important for Christians to think intentionally about the next generation of believers?
 
-How can you respond to God’s grace by growing in intentionality in developing the next generation of God’s holy priesthood? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.