1 Chronicles 9:10-16: a reflection

10Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, 11and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; 12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; they were very able men for the work of the service of God’s house. 14Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15and Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph, 16and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

Among the records of those who returned to serve in the house of God, the priests are described in a way that notes their fitness for the work: they were very able men for the work of the service of God's house. These were not merely present, filling a role; they were able, capable, competent for the work they were given. The service of God's house was worth doing well, and it was done by those who were able for it, who brought capability and diligence to the work. The account commends not only their willingness but their fitness for the work, being able men for the service God had called them to. God's work was to be done capably, by those able for it.

Notice what is commended: they were able men for the work of God's service. It was not enough merely to occupy the role; these men were able, capable, fit for the work they did. The service of God's house deserved to be done well, not carelessly or incompetently, and these were able men, bringing real capability to the work. There is a value in being not merely willing but able, in bringing competence and diligence to the service of God, in doing his work well. God's work is worth doing capably; and these are commended as able men for it. Their fitness for the work, their capability, is noted with approval; the service of God was done by those able for it, and done well.

That is worth taking to heart, for God's work deserves to be done capably, and we do well to be not merely willing but able for it. We can think that willingness alone is enough in serving God, neglecting to develop the capability, the competence, the diligence that the work deserves; but these were commended as able men for the work of God's house. God's service is worth doing well, capably, not carelessly. Do not think willingness alone is enough; bring capability and diligence to the work of God, being not merely willing but able for it, as these were able men for the service. Be not merely willing but able and diligent in the work of God's service, bringing real capability to it, as these returned priests were commended as very able men for the work of God's house; for God's work deserves to be done well, and there is value in being competent and diligent in his service, not merely present, so that we do his work capably.

Lord, among the records of those who returned to serve in your house, the priests are described in a way that notes their fitness for the work: they were very able men for the work of the service of God's house. These were not merely present, filling a role; they were able, capable, competent for the work they were given. The service of your house was worth doing well, and it was done by those who were able for it. Show me what is commended: they were able men for the work of your service. It was not enough merely to occupy the role; these men were able, capable, fit for the work they did. The service of your house deserved to be done well, not carelessly or incompetently, and these were able men, bringing real capability to the work. There is a value in being not merely willing but able, in bringing competence and diligence to your service. Your work is worth doing capably; and these are commended as able men for it. Take that to my heart, for your work deserves to be done capably, and I do well to be not merely willing but able for it. I can think that willingness alone is enough in serving you, neglecting to develop the capability, the competence, the diligence that the work deserves; but these were commended as able men for the work of your house. Your service is worth doing well, capably, not carelessly. Keep me from thinking willingness alone is enough; help me bring capability and diligence to your work, Lord, being not merely willing but able for it, as these returned priests were commended as very able men for the work of your house.