Who guarded the temple treasure? Is the Gospel a wonderful treasure? How faithful are our gatekeepers in guarding the words of Jesus and the apostles? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 26.
Who were the gatekeepers, guards, janitors among the Levites?
The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh. Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sakar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.) (1 Chr 26:1-5 NIV)
Let’s continue the list of gatekeepers, guards, janitors in the temple?
Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability. The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men. All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom. And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men. Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen. (1 Chr 26:6-11 NKJV)
Was guarding the gates to the temple part of the duties of these faithful men? Do we guard the gates of our hearts from those who would pervert the Gospel?
These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the Lord. They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots. The responsibility for the east gate went to Meshelemiah and his group. The north gate was assigned to his son Zechariah, a man of unusual wisdom. The south gate went to Obed-edom, and his sons were put in charge of the storehouse. Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate and the gateway leading up to the Temple. Guard duties were divided evenly. Six Levites were assigned each day to the east gate, four to the north gate, four to the south gate, and two pairs at the storehouse. Six were assigned each day to the west gate, four to the gateway leading up to the Temple, and two to the courtyard. These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the clans of Korah and Merari. (1 Chr 26:12-19 NLT)
What were other related duties of the Levites in the temple? Is the Gospel among our treasures? Do we guard it from thieves and keep it free of junk?
Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house and over the treasures of the dedicated things. The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of Yahweh’s house. Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasuries. His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. They dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair Yahweh’s house. All that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth and of his brothers. (1 Chr 26:20-28 WEB)
What were the duties of the Ezharites and the Hebronites outside the temple? Did David mix church and state duties?
From the Izharites: Chenaniah and his family had responsibilities over Israel outside the temple as officials and judges. From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were put in charge of Israel west of the Jordan concerning all of the Lord’s affairs and the king’s service. From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites according to the family records of their households. In the fortieth year of David’s rule, a search was made and capable men were found among them in Jazer in Gilead. Jerijah’s relatives, capable men, were 2,700 heads of households. King David put them in charge of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh concerning all of God’s and the king’s affairs. (1 Chr 26:29-32 CEB)
Do we guard the teachings of Christ and the apostles as a wonderful treasure? Do we clutter it with junk, or allow heretics to steal the Gospel?
Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model. You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. (2 Tim 1:13-14 CEV)
Who guarded the temple treasure? Is the Gospel a wonderful treasure? How faithful are our gatekeepers in guarding the words of Jesus and the apostles? You decide!
