1 Chronicles 26:1-11: a reflection

1For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. 4Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6Sons were also born to Shemaiah his son, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor. 7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose relatives were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah. 8All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom with their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service: sixty-two of Obed-Edom. 9Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, eighteen valiant men. 10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), 11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

Among the many divisions of those who served in the house of God, this passage lists the doorkeepers, the gatekeepers who guarded the entrances of the temple. It is easy to pass over such a list, but it is worth noticing that these humble servants, the doorkeepers, are named and numbered with honor alongside the priests and the singers. They were able men, valiant men, and their service, keeping the doors, was recorded and honored as part of the service of God's house. Of one, Obed-Edom, it is even noted that God blessed him. The doorkeepers' humble service was named, numbered, and honored in God's house. Even the humble service of guarding the doors was honored before God. The doorkeepers, though their service was humble, were named with honor. Humble service in God's house is honored and recorded.

Notice that the doorkeepers, whose work was humble, are honored in this record. Keeping the doors of the temple was not a glorious task like offering sacrifice or leading the singing; it was a lowly, practical service, guarding the gates. Yet these doorkeepers are named, numbered, described as able and valiant men, and honored as part of the service of God's house, their work recorded alongside that of priests and singers. This tells us something about how God regards humble service. The lowly, unglamorous tasks, done faithfully in God's house, are not overlooked or despised by him; they are honored, valued, recorded. There is honor in even the humblest service done for God. We can think that only the prominent, visible service matters, that humble tasks are beneath notice; but God honored the doorkeepers. To serve God faithfully in a humble task is honorable in his sight. The humblest service done faithfully for God is honored by him. God values and honors even the lowliest faithful service. There is real honor in humble service done for God.

That is worth taking to heart, for God honors even the humblest service done faithfully for him, as the doorkeepers of the temple were named and honored alongside priests and singers. We can think that only prominent, visible service matters, that humble and lowly tasks are beneath notice or unworthy of honor; but God honored the doorkeepers, naming them, numbering them, valuing their humble service of guarding the gates as part of the service of his house. There is real honor in the humblest faithful service. Do not despise the humble task, or think only prominent service matters; serve God faithfully wherever you are, knowing he honors even the humblest service. Serve God faithfully even in the humblest task, knowing he honors it, as the doorkeepers who guarded the temple gates were named, numbered, and honored alongside the priests and singers as part of the service of God's house, with one of them, Obed-Edom, noted as blessed by God; for we can think that only prominent and visible service matters and that humble, lowly tasks are beneath notice, but God does not overlook or despise the humblest service done faithfully for him, honoring and valuing it, so that there is real honor in even the lowliest faithful service, and we do well to serve God faithfully wherever we are, in whatever humble task, knowing that he honors it as he honored the doorkeepers.

Lord, among the many divisions of those who served in your house, this passage lists the doorkeepers, the gatekeepers who guarded the entrances of the temple. It is easy to pass over such a list, but it is worth noticing that these humble servants, the doorkeepers, are named and numbered with honor alongside the priests and the singers. They were able men, valiant men, and their service, keeping the doors, was recorded and honored as part of the service of your house. Of one, Obed-Edom, it is even noted that you blessed him. Show me that the doorkeepers, whose work was humble, are honored in this record. Keeping the doors of the temple was not a glorious task like offering sacrifice or leading the singing; it was a lowly, practical service. Yet these doorkeepers are named, numbered, described as able and valiant men, and honored as part of the service of your house. This tells me something about how you regard humble service. The lowly, unglamorous tasks, done faithfully in your house, are not overlooked or despised by you; they are honored, valued, recorded. There is honor in even the humblest service done for you. I can think that only the prominent, visible service matters, that humble tasks are beneath notice; but you honored the doorkeepers. Take that to my heart, for you honor even the humblest service done faithfully for you. Keep me from despising the humble task, or thinking only prominent service matters; help me serve you faithfully wherever I am, Lord, in whatever humble task, knowing you honor even the lowliest faithful service as you honored the doorkeepers who guarded the temple gates.