This chapter tells how David organized and allotted duties to the Levites.
“The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 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. 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. 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.” (v1,3-5)
In the OT, casting lots was how people often sought to determine the will of God. It is written: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (16:33). Casting lots is now no longer required to know God’s will, because of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Regardless of how the duties were assigned, all duties assigned to the Levites were important, because they were all in direct service to God.
Today, every follower of God has been called into His direct service. As we talked about last week, our roles will differ, yet our goal is the same: to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves (see Mt 22:37-39).
I encourage us today to embrace those two greatest commandments and live them out with the Holy Spirit’s help (we cannot keep them on our own). By partnering with the Holy Spirit we can learn the will of God (no casting lots required), become equipped with spiritual gifts (see devotional on 1 Chr 23), and receive the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal 5:22-23). With those attributes we have everything we need to fulfill those two greatest commandments, and be effective servants of the Most High God.
Father God, our Glorious King and Sovereign Lord, great and mighty is Your name. Father we praise You for Your gift of the Holy Spirit, whose myriad of duties include guiding and equipping us. Thank you for blessing us so greatly, and we long to serve You in response. Please help us to embrace Your many gifts, and live out the two greatest commandments with the abilities and guidance Your Spirit provides. In the name of Jesus who made all of this possible, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training