The first two verses in Chapter 9 tell us that Judah was carried away because of unfaithfulness to God . . . and now the first (of the returned exiles) that come to dwell again in the cities of Israel were the priests, Levites, and temple servants. It goes on to repeat the story of Saul's death and how David became King.
We now look back (before the exile) at the temple, the priests and the Levites and see their specific duties outlined: gatekeepers, those in charge of the temple vessels, the furniture, the sacred utensils, preparing spices and things baked in pans (shewbread), and singers (which were on duty day and night - wow, what a job!) Each person was important and each task that they were assigned was equally important. It is not so in our church? There are many "committees" and "ministry teams" - hospital, kitchen, missions, building and grounds, ushers, finance, teachers, deacons, nursery workers - all are important and have their specific areas and duties to perform. We all work together for the building up of the church and to glorify the Lord. It reminds me of Paul's words regarding the "body of Christ" in the church in I Corinthians 12. Each job is important and should be done with care - even the smallest tasks come together to make the big picture. When we all work together, things run smoothly and grand things are accomplished.
A FEW GOOD MEN . . . When you hear the words "Mighty Men" who do you picture in your mind? Superman, Sylvester Stallone, Babe Ruth, Hulk Hogan? Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah (those names are listed a little differently in II Sam. 23). David's Three Mighty Men. Yes, there were 30 others listed, but these were the cream of the crop, i.e., the U. S. Navy Seals, the Blue Angels. (It was interesting to me that Uriah the Hittite was listed in the 30, yet David had him killed. How sad.)
Jashobeam killed 300 men at one time with his sword (II Sam. says 800, but who's counting?), Eleazar staved off a Philistine army alone in a field while his hand clung to the sword and his cohorts fled; and Shammah bravely saved a field of lentils by himself so that the Israelites would not starve for food. (I once heard a sermon called "Staying in the Pea Patch" about standing up and sometimes standing alone and fighting for things you believe in.)
What would make these men so brave, so determined, so trustworthy? They fought for their King, for what they believed in, and for who they followed. God gave them deliverance, gave them victory, gave them strength for the task, and He does the same for each of us if we but ask. Fight the good fight - and remember, if God be for us who can be against us?
There is an old hymn that you hardly ever hear anymore, but I believe the words are worthy of mention:
Am I a solder of the cross, a follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause, or blush to speak his name?
Sure I must fight if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.
