Context No. 2978 of 4322 · 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 24:20-31: in context

20Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 24The sons of Uzziel: Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25The brother of Micah: Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno. 27The sons of Merari by Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29Of Kish, the son of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. 31These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites, the fathers’ households of the chief even as those of his younger brother.

This is a genealogical list of the remaining Levites, organized by their families, who cast lots for their duties alongside the priests, in the presence of David and the leaders, the head of a family treated the same as his younger brother.

It is another dense list of names, but two things are worth noticing. The service of God's house was organized fairly, by lot, so that no family could seize the positions it wanted through influence; the lot leveled everyone before God. And the note that the eldest was treated even as the youngest brother means that seniority did not automatically win the better assignment. Even in the ordering of temple duties, God's people were to be fair, impartial, and orderly, trusting the outcome to the lot rather than to human maneuvering and favoritism.

In the places where I could pull rank or use influence to get the position I want, am I willing to let things be decided fairly, trusting God with the outcome?

Sources

1 Chronicles 24:31: "These likewise cast lots... the heads of the fathers' households of the chief even as those of his younger brother."
Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."
Acts 10:34: "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism."