"The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Chronicles 26:19,
"These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari."
Gatekeepers, among other things, were assigned duties to provide protection for the temple. In those days the Lord's presence among his people was located in the temple Solomon would build.
Today the Lord's presence among his people doesn't reside in a building, but in the hearts of his people, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" 1 Corinthians 6:16.
Where the physical temple Solomon built that would be the locus of God's presence among his people required "gatekeepers" to provide protection, I find in Scripture that God's temple today requires protection. The protection needed is not of the order in Solomon's day from advancing military threats, bandits and the like, but from those who would lead God's people off in harmful directions.
This is why I believe we find apostolic direction, such as Peter gave, to protect the flock, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders." 1 Peter 5:1-5a.
Something to think about here...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari."
Gatekeepers, among other things, were assigned duties to provide protection for the temple. In those days the Lord's presence among his people was located in the temple Solomon would build.
Today the Lord's presence among his people doesn't reside in a building, but in the hearts of his people, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" 1 Corinthians 6:16.
Where the physical temple Solomon built that would be the locus of God's presence among his people required "gatekeepers" to provide protection, I find in Scripture that God's temple today requires protection. The protection needed is not of the order in Solomon's day from advancing military threats, bandits and the like, but from those who would lead God's people off in harmful directions.
This is why I believe we find apostolic direction, such as Peter gave, to protect the flock, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders." 1 Peter 5:1-5a.
Something to think about here...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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