Temple Ministry

As I read through these three chapters I had this question; what was the practice of casting lots about? It had been confusing to me because of the scene at the cross when the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments. In that situation it was not to inquire of the Lord. The practice had turned into a sort of game. I learned that the practice of casting lots is mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. God allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation. They first prayed and sought the Lord to answer before casting lots. They trusted the Lord to control the outcome. With the Holy Spirit and the Bible to guide us we do not need to cast lots to know God’s will. In chapter twenty-five they cast lots to determine their duties in the music ministry. Lots were cast to divide the gatekeepers in chapter 26.
Another part of this text that caught my attention was the twenty-four groups of twelve musicians appointed to serving in music ministry. The notes in my study bible says “the musicians were divided into 24 groups to match the 24 groups of Levites(24:7-25). This division of labor gave order to the planning of the temple work, promoted excellence by making training easier, gave variety to worship because each group worked a term, and provided opportunities for many to be involved.” I wanted to emphasize that last part because I noticed that there was variety in their worship while still order and it provided opportunity for many to be involved. I like that! Our God who created all things loves His creation. He made us all different and unique, with special gifts and talents for worshiping Him. We need to use our gifts and talents for Him.

Chapter twenty-six tells about the gatekeepers. These were strong, able-bodied men who guarded the Temple gates from those who were unclean. It was a very important position. This causes me to think about our own “temple.”

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Just like the gatekeepers who protected the temple, we must protect the temple (our bodies) because there is an enemy who seeks out those unguarded gates.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:88

Chapter 27 gives us the list of leaders of the twelve groups of troops, twelve tribal leaders, the stewards of David’s property and the people who served in his court. David was certainly prepared for war. Are we prepared for war - spiritual war? "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph 6:12-13