AP

1 Chronicles 23:25-26  For David had said, “Since the LORD, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.

This chapter in 1 Chronicles lists for us how the various worship responsibilities  of the 38,000 30 year -old male members of the tribe of Levi were to be divided up among them as the nation of Israel settled into life in Jerusalem as God’s Covenant People.  Because this was now to be their permanent home ‘forever’, there was no longer any need constantly to dismantle, carry and pitch the cumbersome Tabernacle (tent) that had been their centre of worship for 40 years in the Wilderness, so the duties of the Levites had to be reallocated.

It is interesting that David set his heart on building the permanent Temple because he was embarrassed about living in a palace when the LORD only had a ‘tent’, but God told him, through Nathan, that he was not to do so because he, the LORD, had only ever lived in a tent, and he, the LORD, would be the One to build David a ‘house’ (dynasty)!

So our connection with God should never be centred on bricks-and-mortar buildings but on personal relationships.  The meaningful sequel to all this is that when the True Eternal King, Jesus, came among us, the Apostle John explained it like this: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling (literally, ‘tabernacled’ or ‘pitched his tent’) among us.” (John 1:14a)  Let us also keep in mind that the author of Hebrews reminds us that “here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)

“All my hope on God is founded; he doth still my trust renew.  Me through change and chance he guideth, only good, and only true.  God unknown, he alone, calls my heart to be his own.  Pride of Man and earthly glory, sword and crown betray his trust; what with care and toil he buildeth, tower and temple, fall to dust.  But God’s power, hour by hour, is my temple and my tower.”  (Joachim Neander)

– Bruce Christian