(1Chronicles 9 : 17 – 32)

In today’s reading passage the Chronicler gives the name of four gatekeepers : Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman (v 17). The Chief of the gatekeepers had the honor of responsibility for the gate used by the king (Eze 46:1-2). All the gatekeepers traced their origin to Phinehas (v 20). The list of gatekeepers are also listed in 1Chronicles 26 and Ezra 2:42
Altogether 212 Levites according to the genealogy were chosen to be the gatekeepers at the thresholds (1Chron 9:22).

WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF THE GATEKEEPERS❓
🎀 The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel .
1) The gatekeepers were to guard the gates of the house of the Lord (v 23)
2) To look after the rooms and the treasuries in the house of God (v 26; 26:20)
3) To guard the house of God (24×7) and for opening the gates in the morning (v 27)
4) They had the charge of the chambers and supply rooms (v 28-30)
5) They were responsible for the preparation of baked goods (v 31- 32 ; Exo 25:30 ; Lev 2:5-7; 7:9)

🎀 The divisions of gatekeepers through their chief men were cast by lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike (1Chron 26:1, 12-13)

🎀 They take it as honor, privilege and a blessing to render their duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord (1Chron 26:12)
🎀 In NT, Zechariah had the privilege to serve in the temple (” .. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom..” Luke 1:8-10)

📝 Therefore, the psalmist writes, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere ; I would rather be a DOORKEEPER in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” 📕 84:10

💞 Beloved Church, the psalmist in Psalm 84 would rather work as a humble DOORKEEPER, guarding the entrance to the temple than enjoying life elsewhere.

Do we too rejoice in the privilege of spending time with the Lord and long to SERVE HIM❓

As a DOORKEEPER are you guarding your BODY – the TEMPLE OF GOD❓

Glory to God 🙌
✍🏻 Mark Boje
Arunachal Pradesh, India 🇮🇳