1 Chronicles 6:31-81 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Chronicles 6:31-81. Let’s go!
1 Chronicles 6:31-32 (NIV)
31 These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there.
32 They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.
On verses 31-47: As part of describing the Levites, the Chronicler singles out three Levites whom King David put in charge of the music in the temple. There’s Heman who wrote Psalm 88. Asaph who wrote Psalms 50, 73-83. And there’s Ethan who wrote Psalm 89. These men used their musical gifts and their heart of worship to lead the Israelites into the presence of God through song.
What can we learn from this? The fact that the Chronicler would spotlight the music ministers of the temple shows how important music was to the Israelites’ worship of the Lord. Music does not equal worship, but music can be a powerful tool for worshiping God.
One of the things I find so awesome and beautiful about Christ’s kingdom is how much music plays a part in our worship of God. It seems to me that there is a much richer and much more diverse musical heritage in Christian worship than in any other faith in the world. Other religions and even atheists and agnostics as a whole are not as well known for using music to express what they believe. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit keeps inspiring great music in those who worship Jesus. In fact, some of the most beautiful and influential music ever produced has been in the context of Christian worship. Even much of pop music today finds its musical roots in gospel music.
Why is that? I believe it’s because God Almighty whom we worship is a creative Artist and a Musician Himself. His presence is so full of joy it gives us reason to sing, dance, shout, and create. His love is so real and passionate that we are invited to bring our full range of emotions to Him through song. Music has always been God’s instrument for us to more deeply engage in His presence and connect with Him on a spirit level. Music reminds me that I’m not to come to God with cold-hearted pride, but with the humility and simplicity of a child who just enjoys spending time with His Abba Father. God wants His church to be filled with excellent and beautiful music.
So don’t ignore the role music can play in your worship of God. When you go to a church service, don’t just sit through the music and wait for the sermon. Use music as your tool to engage the presence of God. When you spend time with God one on one, take advantage of the gift of music. Play your favourite worship music in the background as you pray. Sing a new song to Him. When you do, your heart will soften. You’ll give room for the Holy Spirit to speak to you. You’ll be reminded that our faith is not just cerebral or academic; rather it involves our whole being, including our emotions and our spirit. As Jesus says, it’s in spirit and truth that we worship Him.
Here’s a song I’ve been listening to as I draw near to God in my GAME time today: https://www.youtube.
1 Chronicles 6:64-65 (NIV)
64 So the Israelites gave the Levites these towns and their pasturelands.
65 From the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin they allotted the previously named towns.
On verses 48-81: Here in these verses the Chronicler describes Aaron and his descendants (v50-53), the lands that they were allotted (v54-60), as well as the lands that the rest of the Levites were given (v61-81). Notice especially verses 60-81 how the Levites were given substantial lands from all the other tribes of Israel For example, the Levites are given land from the tribes of Benjamin (v60, 65), Manasseh (v61-62), Issachar, Asher and Naphtali (v62), Reuben, Gad and Zebulun (v63), Judah, Simeon and Benjamin (v65), Ephraim (v66-67).
What can we learn from this? Here are two lessons I learned from these verses:
1. God wants His people to take special care of those who dedicate their working lives to serving the church. God never intended that His servants who work in the church be poor, deprived, just getting by. He wants those who work in the church to be well provided for. How well do you and your church look out for and provide for those who work in the church while the rest of us do other work? That’s why God’s Word commands us to tithe. It’s because whether or not you tithe has a direct impact on how well your church can provide for those who have dedicated their working lives to serving God, you and all the people in your church. So be a faithful tither, trusting God’s promise that as we seek His kingdom first He will add everything we need.
2. Why did God give the Levites territory that was dispersed throughout Israel? Some scholars believe the reason is prophetic, that this was to fulfill Jacob’s prophecy over Levi in Genesis 49:7 (“I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel”). I believe there’s another reason God gave the Levites different pieces of land throughout Israel instead of concentrating them all in one place: it’s because God wants every person in every region of the country to have access to a community where they can hear God’s Word, participate in worship and be led to Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the greatest Artist and Musician and for giving us the gift of music to draw us near to Yourself. Thank You for my brothers and sisters in my church and around the world who use their musical gifts to lead us to You. Also, may I be a faithful tither so that those in my church who have dedicated their careers to serving You may be well provided for, and so that Your church can reach more people with Your love. For Your heart is to reach every person in every region of every country. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
