Our Heavenly Destiny - God's Holy Royal Family

The King and His Gatekeepers

(1 Chronicles 26, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, April 22, 2018)

[1] As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. [2] And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, [3] Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. [4] And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, [5] Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him. [6] Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers' houses, for they were men of great ability. [7] The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah. [8] All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom. [9] And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen. [10] And Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief), [11] Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

[12] These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the LORD. [13] And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates. [14] The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. [15] Obed-edom's came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted the gatehouse. [16] For Shuppim and Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch. [17] On the east there were six each day, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse. [18] And for the colonnade on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade. [19] These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

[20] And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. [21] The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.

[22] The sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. [23] Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites—[24] and Shebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. [25] His brothers: from Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, and his son Jeshaiah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth. [26] This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers' houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. [27] From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the house of the LORD. [28] Also all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated—all dedicated gifts were in the care of Shelomoth and his brothers.

[29] Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to external duties for Israel, as officers and judges. [30] Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 men of ability, had the oversight of Israel westward of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king. [31] Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was chief of the Hebronites of whatever genealogy or fathers' houses. (In the fortieth year of David's reign search was made and men of great ability among them were found at Jazer in Gilead.) [32] King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of fathers' houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

David and the Gatekeepers, Treasurers, and the Officers and Judges in Charge of External Duties

In First Chronicles 26 and 27 we read of the arrangements David made for the religious and civil order during his lifetime. This week in chapter 26 we will look at the Levites and consider the king and his gatekeepers with a view toward orderly administration in the kingdom of God. When we eventually get to chapter 27 we will hear the names of a second set of leaders for military and other administrative purposes, not from the Levites, but from the other tribes. That will allow us to consider David's care for life beyond the temple which we face now in our relationship with the world outside of the church. God surely cares about all of that too, and Christ is truly Lord of all, but today we look at the administration within the kingdom of God, using David's attention to necessary organization to lead us to similar topics in this life and beyond.

Chapter 26 speaks of gatekeepers and other Levitical officials that kept charge over property. A gatekeeper for the temple precincts of the Lord was a very important position of trust, greeting people who were permitted to be there, but also providing for the security of the temple by being guardians of holiness who were ready to keep out those who were not allowed in (2 Chronicles 23:29). Gatekeepers had the keys to the kingdom of God for that era of divine worship.

Others had their important callings. There would be much in the temple treasuries and among the dedicated gifts of the people of Israel that would have been desirable to thieves. Men were required to guard these valuable items to ensure that they were used for God's purposes and not to enrich corrupt and greedy people. Some of the wealth that had been dedicated to the worship of the God of Israel had come through the free gifts of Israel's leading men. Much was given to Israel through the defeat of her enemies. All of it required the careful oversight of honest men of ability. All these Levites served the king and the king's God.

Jesus, Elders, Shepherding, the Keys of the Kingdom, Deacons, and Everything Else

Jesus has given shepherds to the church. These pastors, teachers, and elders have a responsibility for the spiritual care of all those in the household of God and they guard the gospel and the house of God. The apostles and eventually the elders of the church have been given the “keys of the kingdom” to use in accord with the word of Jesus, the Son of David (Matthew 16:18-19, Matthew 18:15-20, John 20:22-23, Hebrews 13:17). The Lord also has given the church deacons and other trusted leaders who take charge of property, poverty relief, and every other matter by which the light of the kingdom of God shines in a dark world (Acts 6:1-7). The mission and ministry of the church is governed by the Word and Spirit of the King, with the happy consent of the worshipers.

Our Heavenly Destiny – Leaders and Servants in God's Holy Royal Family

Sermon Point: It is a great privilege to be welcomed into eternal glory. (John 1:12-13)

1. The church is not a business looking for customers, but a royal family far beyond our reach. We are saved only by the righteousness and grace of God (Matthew 22:1-14 and Romans 4:5-8). We have a great King over the house of God. Much of His work had to be done by Him alone. We did not help with His cross. We added nothing to the resurrection of Christ. Those saving events happened long before we were born. We are beneficiaries of much hard work that we receive today only as His gift. We are blessed!

2. What will our lives be like in glory? We will have spheres of responsibility and service in eternity (Luke 19:17, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11). Hard to fathom? Of course. How can we prepare? Be filled with the Spirit. Rejoice, give thanks, and serve (Ephesians 5:18-20).

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 54 – He has delivered me from every trouble

Gospel Reading—John 20:19-23 – A job for kingdom gatekeepers: The forgiveness of sins