Ezra 2:40-54: a reflection

40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four. 41The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight. 42The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine. 43The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, 44the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, 45the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, 46the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan, 47the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, 48the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, 49the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, 50the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim, 51the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, 52the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, 53the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah, 54the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

In the list of those who returned from exile to rebuild the temple, this passage records not only the priests, but a whole array of others who served in God's house: the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants who did the humbler tasks. Each group is named and counted; each had its role in the worship and work of God's house. The singers who led praise, the gatekeepers who guarded the doors, the servants who did the menial work, all were recorded, all had their place.

Notice the variety of roles in God's service, and that all were valued and recorded. Not everyone was a priest; there were singers, gatekeepers, servants, each with a different task, some prominent, some humble. And all were named and counted; the gatekeepers and the temple servants who did the lowly work were recorded alongside the rest. God's service was not made up of one grand role, but of many, from the singers to the servants; and each role, even the humblest, had its place and was valued.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can imagine that only the prominent roles in God's service matter. We can think that unless our role is visible or important, it counts for little; that the humble tasks, the behind-the-scenes service, do not much matter. But in God's house the gatekeepers and servants were named and counted alongside the singers; every role, even the humblest, had its place and was valued. Do not despise your role in God's service because it is humble or unseen; the gatekeepers and temple servants were recorded alongside the singers, each valued for their part. Serve God faithfully in whatever role is yours, humble or prominent, knowing that every role in his service has its place and is valued by him, as the many who served in his house, from singers to servants, were each named and counted. God values the humble roles as well as the prominent; serve faithfully in yours, whatever it is.

Lord, in the list of those who returned from exile to rebuild the temple, this passage records not only the priests, but a whole array of others who served in your house: the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants who did the humbler tasks. Each group is named and counted; each had its role in the worship and work of your house. Show me the variety of roles in your service, and that all were valued and recorded. Not everyone was a priest; there were singers, gatekeepers, servants, each with a different task, some prominent, some humble. And all were named and counted; the gatekeepers and the servants who did the lowly work were recorded alongside the rest. Your service was not made up of one grand role, but of many; and each role, even the humblest, had its place and was valued. Take that to my heart, for I can imagine that only the prominent roles in your service matter. I can think that unless my role is visible or important, it counts for little; that the humble tasks, the behind-the-scenes service, do not much matter. But in your house the gatekeepers and servants were named alongside the singers; every role had its place. Keep me from despising my role in your service because it is humble or unseen. Help me serve you faithfully in whatever role is mine, Lord, humble or prominent, knowing that every role in your service has its place and is valued by you.