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William T. Howe Ph.D.

May 2, 2024

Rēad to Read …Again


Daily Reading: I Chronicles 6

 

I Chronicles 6:54

Now these are the dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.  

 

It may seem dry to the average reader, but this chapter is rich in its content. Its focus is on the priestly tribe of Levi, especially the branch of the Kohathites. Not only is their genealogy given, their responsibilities in service to the Lord are given and their dwelling places are given.

 

As far as their service was concerned there were three areas highlighted.

 

1.       Their Singing service, vs. 31

2.      Their Serving work, vs. 48 (the care of the basins, cleaning of the Temple, etc.)

3.      Their Sacrificing work, vs. 49 (offering the atoning sacrifices in the Temple.)

 

As far as their dwelling places, there are at least three reasons why they are included.

 

First of all, their dispersal throughout all the land of Israel is a direct fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy of their tribe as found in Genesis 49:7.  …I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

 

Second, by being scattered throughout the land, the Levites were able to minister to the people where they were. A careful study will reveal that each tribe that inherited a section of the Promise Land had Levite cities therein. They were close to those who needed them to be close. This is why there are so many churches in so many locations today. They are where they need to be to reach and teach all people everywhere. God knows where he has “much people” (see Acts 18:10) and He sends pastors/preachers there to do His work.

 

Thirdly, the cities given to the Levites were for the maintenance of the Levites. They were not farmers, ranchers, or merchants, they were the priests, Temple workers, and Synagogue workers. They sang, served, and sacrificed for the Lord. In return He provided for them through the tribe’s donation of cities to them. Their cities were some of the most considerable in all of Israel. This pictures the need for local churches to care for their pastoral staff. It has always been God’s plan to care for His pastors and preachers through those that they serve. To not care for a man of God, who has forfeited all opportunity to earn a living in the world system, is wrong on many levels. One level is that it is a blatant rejection of the teaching of such in God’s Word. Paul touched on this when he wrote these words to the church at Corinth: If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Then a few verses later he added, Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (see the entire section on this matter in I Corinthians 9:7-14)

 

Yes, this chapter may be a tedious read, but it is filled with nuggets that are well worth digging out.

 

Dr. William T. Howe

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