SERIES K --- ISRAEL’S GOLDEN AGE --- LESSON 20

MINISTRY FOR ALL

THE DOORKEEPERS AND OFFICERS OF THE TEMPLE

From 1 Chronicles 26

A number of men were appointed as doorkeepers or guards of the temple. One group was from Asaph’s family, which was descended from Korah. The leader of this group was Meshelemiah, the son of Kore. His assistants were his seven sons: Zechariah, Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel, Elam, Jehohanan and Elioenai. Another group was made up of the sons of Obed-edom. Their names were Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar and Peulthai. Obed-edom was richly blessed with these eight sons. Shemaiah, the oldest son of Obed-edom, had some outstanding sons who were leaders within their family. Their names were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad. Their brothers Elihu and Semachiah were also outstanding men. Altogether, Obed-edom had sixty-two sons and grandsons, all highly qualified men. The eighteen sons and brothers of Meshelemiah, who also served as doorkeepers, were highly qualified for their work too. Hosah, who belonged to the family of Merari, put his son Shimri in charge of his other sons, even though he was not the eldest. Some of Hosah’s other sons were Hilkiah, Tebaliah and Zechariah. Altogether there were thirteen of them. The doorkeepers, who served at the temple, were assigned as guards at certain gates by casting lots. No preference was shown to anyone because he was older or more experienced. The guards were all Levites and were considered ministers at the temple, just as other Levites were. The various divisions of the guards, or doorkeepers, were named for their leaders. By casting lots, the leaders chose Shelemiah and his followers to guard the eastern gate. The north gate went to his son Zechariah, a man who had great insight, the south gate to Obed-edom and the storehouse to his sons. The west gate and Shallecheth Gate on the upper road were assigned to Shuppim and Hosah. Each day six guards were posted at the east gate, four at the north gate, four at the south gate and two at each storehouse. Each day six guards were posted at the west gate, four at the upper road and two at [the parbar] [an area which is not known today, all these guards were from the families of Korah and Merari. Ahijah was put in charge of the temple treasures brought as gifts or offerings. Others under his leadership included men from the family of Ladan, which was part of the family of Gershom. These were Zetham and Joel, sons of Jehieli. Shebuel, son of Gershom and grandson of Moses, represented Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel as the chief treasure officer. Shelomith and his brothers were placed over all the treasures which David and the Israelite leaders, including the clan leaders and military officers, gave to the temple. They were descended from Eliezer through Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram and Zichri. These leaders of Israel gave the treasures gathered in war to the ministry of the temple. Shelomith and his brothers were also in charge of all given by Samuel, Saul, Abner, Joab and other distinguished leaders. Chenaniah and his sons, from the family of Izhar, was appointed as recorders and judges for the people of Israel. Hashabiah and seventeen hundred of his family members from Hebron, all outstanding men, were placed over the territory west of the Jordan River to serve in the work of Adonai and the king. Also, twenty-seven hundred other outstanding men from the family of the Hebronites, led by Jerijah, were placed in charge of the affairs of Adonai and the king in the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These men were all highly qualified and were chosen because of their families and because of their military might at Jazer in Gilead during the fortieth year of David’s reign as king.

COMMENTARY

GATEKEEPERS OR GUARDS, FOR THE TEMPLE

Each family of the Levites had a special task to perform in the temple ministry. Whether a Levite served as a guard at the gate or was in charge of temple treasures, each person’s contribution was important. Hundreds of Levites were needed to keep the tabernacle and later the temple, in operation. The Levites contributed the high priests and the other priests, but they were also responsible for the day-to-day chores that kept the temple operating smoothly. They cleaned and cared for the courts and rooms, prepared the grain offerings and showbread, cleaned the vessels and utensils used for sacrifices and provided the music. David, with the assistance of the prophet Samuel, appointed two hundred twelve Levites to act as gatekeepers. All from the Korah and Merari clans, their family tree had to be well established before they could serve. These men guarded the four entrances to the tabernacle; east, west, north and south. They were appointed to their particular gate by casting lots. There were four chief gatekeepers, who were in charge of the offices and the treasures of the shrine. They lived nearby, so that they might watch over the shrine and keep it open to the public every morning. Their relatives were sometimes assigned to help with their duties for a week at a time. Divisions of the guards or gatekeepers were named for their leaders. Duties were to count the sacred utensils as they were taken out for service or as they were returned, to care for the shrine furniture and mix the incense and to watch over the supplies of fine flour, wine, oil, incense and spices. Mattithiah made the flat cakes used with some sacrifices. The gatekeepers also keep account of the valuable gifts brought to the shrine and guarded them. These gifts sometimes included rich loot which was taken in war and given to keep up the work of the sanctuary.

“I will early destroy all the wicked of the land;
that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of Yahweh”

Ps 101

https://firstcenturychristiani....ty.net/the-new-world

Mass rituals are vital for national unity, continuity of traditions and culture. #leviticus 8:3 #tzav

While I believe the USA is already gone, the principles in this article are sound. Maybe we can learn something for the next opportunity God gives us to live in a free country.

https://www.americantorah.com/....2015/03/31/remember-

First Fruits Ministries presents "Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness,” the eighth part in a multi-part Bible-study series about the fruits of the spirit: or This Bible study presents more depth about the gentleness of the Lord and the gentleness He expects from us as we await the coming of His kingdom. This is something He helps us with through His Holy Spirit. The rest of the series is also available on Odysee, Rumble, and YouTube. Download the presentation slides:

First Fruits Ministries presents "Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness,” the eighth part in a multi-part Bible-study series about the fruits of the spirit: or This Bible study presents more depth about the gentleness of the Lord and the gentleness He expects from us as we await the coming of His kingdom. This is something He helps us with through His Holy Spirit. The rest of the series is also available on Odysee, Rumble, and YouTube. Download the presentation slides:

Aaron and sons had no choice in becoming priests. They were chosen whether they liked it or not. Sometimes God doesn't just call you. He takes you. #leviticus 8:2

When the priesthood was inaugurated, they underwent a mikvah, which in part symbolized the shedding of one life and donning of another. The Hebrew mikvah is the ultimate origin of the Christian tradition of #baptism. Leviticus 8:6

If men had designed the ceremony to inaugurate the priesthood, it probably would have been very different. Blood, oil, fat, organs, boiled meat... How odd! But God's commands aren't arbitrary. Every Word is purposeful, and you can't approach God on your terms. "God knows my heart" is a copout.

https://www.americantorah.com/....2018/03/20/humility-

SERIES K --- ISRAEL’S GOLDEN AGE --- LESSON 19

MINISTRY OF PRAISE

THE PRIESTS AND THEIR DUTIES

From 1 Chronicles 24:1-19: 25

The priests, who had descended from Aaron, were divided into two groups, named after Aaron’s sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. Aaron’s other two sons, Nadab and Abihu, had died before their father and left no children. All the descendants of Aaron came through Eleazar and Ithamar. With the help of Zadok, who was the leader of the Eleazar group and the help of Ahinlelech, who was the leader of the Ithamar group, King David divided the two groups of Aaron’s descendants into several sub-groups. David divided Eleazar’s descendants into sixteen groups and Ithamar’s descendants into eight groups, for it was a known fact that Eleazar’s descendants had more good leaders than Ithamar’s descendants. The priests were assigned their work by casting lots. In that way, no one was favoured above anyone else, for there were high officers of the temple in each group. Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe wrote the names in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the other leaders of the priests and Levites. Each task was to be carried out by two groups from the Eleazar division and one group from the Ithamar division. Here is the way the work was assigned, with the number of each group and the name of its leader:

1 --- Jehoiarib, 2 --- Jedaiah, 3 --- Harim, 4 --- Seorim, 5 --- Malchijah, 6 --- Mijamin, 7 --- Hakkoz, 8 --- Abijah, 9 --- Jeshuah, 10 --- Shecaniah, 11 --- Jeshuah, 12 --- Jakim, 13 --- Huppah, 14 --- Jeshebeab, 15 --- Bilgah, 16 --- Miner, 17 --- Hezir, 18 --- Aphses, 19 --- Pethahiah, 20 --- Jehezekel, 21 --- Jachin, 22 --- Gamul, 23 --- Delaiah and 24 --- Maaziah.

Each of these groups was assigned to special work in serving Adonai in His house, according to the instructions that their ancestor Aaron received from Adonai YHVH of Israel. Next David and the tabernacle officials appointed some of the families of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun to prophesy, accompanied by the music of lyres, harps and cymbals. These were the people and their work: Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s direction, led his own sons, Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelab. The six sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, Zen, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah; were under the leadership of their father, who prophesied in praise and thanksgiving to Adonai. YHVH gave Heman fourteen sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth and also three daughters. Their work was to play cymbals, harps, and zithers under their father’s leadership, serving Adonai in the tabernacle. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were directly responsible to the king. They and their families were all expert singers, and all two hundred and eighty-eight of them were appointed to their specific jobs by casting lots, thus no favour could be shown to older people or people with more fame. The first lot was for Joseph, who was from Asaph’s family. The second through twenty-fourth lots were for the following leaders, each with twelve sons and brothers:

1 --- Gedaliah, 2 --- Zaccur, 3 --- Izri, 4 --- Nethaniah, 5 --- Bukkiah, 6 --- Jesharelah, 7 --- Jeshariah, 8 --- Mattaniah, 9 --- Shimei, 10 --- Azareel, 11 --- Hashabiah, 12 --- Shubael, 13 --- Mattithiah, 14 --- Jeremoth, 15 --- Hananiah, 16 --- Joshbekashah, 17 --- Hanani, 18 --- Mallothi, 19 --- Eliathah, 20 --- Hothir, 21 --- Giddalti, 22 --- Mahazioth and 23 --- Romamti-ezer.

COMMENTARY

THE SINGING OF PSALMS

Service in the House of YHVH included music and praise as well as labour. Every talent of YHVH’s people found expression in worship of Adonai. The singing of psalms played a large part in the religious life of the Israelites. It was a regular element of worship in the temple and in daily life. David himself was a musician; he wrote many psalms and probably accompanied himself on the harp when he sang. There were basically three different kinds of psalm singing: directed, responsive and unison. During the directed psalm, the leader chanted the words and a group of Levites or the full congregation repeated them after him. Psalm 124 falls into this group. When the responsive; or antiphonal; psalm was sung, the leader or a group of Levites sang each verse and another group then responded with a phrase that was repeated each time; the refrain. Psalm 136 is an example; its repeated refrain is [for his steadfast love endures forever.] Unison psalm singing meant everyone sang the same words at the same time. It probably was the most popular kind. The Songs of Ascents -- Psalms 120-1 34, were very likely sung by the pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem for the festivals. In the courtyard of the temple that Herod the Great built, the Levites sang these psalms as they went up the fifteen steps separating the Women’s Court from the Court of Israel. By about 250 B.C., one special psalm was assigned to each day of the week in temple worship. They were the following:

Sunday = Psalm 24; / Monday = Psalm 48; / Tuesday = Psalm 82; / Wednesday = Psalm 94; / Thursday = Psalm 81; / Friday = Psalm 93; / Saturday [Shabbat] = Psalm 92.

These were each sung after the daily sacrifice was made. On special festivals, other psalms were added. These were called the [Hallel] because they usually begin with [Hallelujah,] which means, [Praise Adonai.] They were -- Psalms 113-118 and were sung at the Feasts of the New Moon, Passover, Shavuot, Tabernacles and Dedication. Psalms were also sung in the synagogue, where the Israelites assembled and sometimes worshiped when they did not use the temple. Musical instruments were played as accompaniment to the singing of psalms. During David’s time, four instruments were particularly popular. The harp first, was a stringed instrument, made of wood, often highly decorated; it had eight or ten strings and was plucked or strummed. The lyre resembled the harp, though it was probably smaller; it may have had a lower tone. Horns were made from animal’s horns; the ram’s horn, [shofar,] was used only on special occasions. Cymbals were metal or wooden cups or plates that were struck together. The rich tradition of psalm singing is carried through in the singing of hymns in the churches of the modern world.