READING FOR JUNE 18, 2025: 1 CHRONICLES 24, EPHESIANS 3, PSALM 55:20-23 1 CHRONICLES 24 David continues his administrative work for the future servicing of the temple, which his son Solomon would build. His concern for his son’s success and, even more important, the right worship of God far past his lifetime are remarkable. Once again, it causes us to consider what legacy are we leaving for others who will come after us? David and the two head priests at that time, Zadok and Ahimelech, who were also trusted allies, develop a division of labor for the priests. Twenty-four heads of households who were also decedents of Aaron were assigned a division by lot. As we read in Luke 1, each division apparently served an appointed period of time during which each specific priest or family of priests ministered in the temple: “Now it happened that while he [Zechariah] was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division [the division of Abijah-lot #8] , according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense” (Luke 1:8). It seems that David’s plan was still in place after all these centuries and played a role in Jesus’s birth. Who said we don’t need good administrators?
After the divisions of priests were chosen by lot, 24 divisions of non-Aaronite Levite decedents were likewise chosen by lot to serve as assistants to the priests. They were chosen for this appointment without their having any say in the matter. They were selected for these less prominent tasks due solely to their family background with no opportunity to advance to the priesthood. If folks were locked into this supporting role today, likely they would file a lawsuit. However, the Levites’ acceptance of their role is really an example to us and one that Jesus embodied: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bondservant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross” (Phil. 2:3-8).
EPHESIANS 3 Paul begins the chapter with the words “for this reason,” which begs the question, for what reason? Going back a few verses, we see Paul elaborating on the theme of the Gentiles and Jews now joined together in the church. Paul once again clarifies that his mission for Christ is to the Gentiles. He mentions that he briefly wrote to them earlier about his Damascus Road conversion, which gave Divine validation to his ministry. He also mentions about the progressive nature of God’s revelation. Aspects of God’s plan that were not clear before are now made known, in specific the inclusion of Gentile believers. This aspect had been hidden for previous ages by God can now be fully known: “so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Eph. 3:10-11).
READING FOR JUNE 18, 2025 CONTINUTED: EPHESIANS 3, PSALM 55:20-23
Note that Paul said the multifaceted wisdom of God is now known to the Church and that God’s eternal purpose was carried out by Jesus. The clear indication is that the Gospel, His eternal purpose and wisdom, has been completed as carried out by Jesus and fully communicated to us. No further redemptive action of this nature by God will be forthcoming, such as claimed in the Book of Mormon, the Koran, or anyone else’s personal revelation.
Perhaps as we finish this chapter we might pray this paraphrase of Paul’s concluding prayer taken from Ephesians 3:16-21: “Lord, according to the riches of Your glory, may Yorktown Methodist Church be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in our inner selves,so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we at Yorktown Methodist Church ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
PSALM 55:20-23 Starting with the last part of verse 19, we begin to learn more about the character of David’s tormentor. He doesn’t fear God; he responds to peaceful overtures with aggression; he breaks his promises; and his gracious speech cloaks hostile intent. David reminds himself to give all his concerns to God knowing only God can sustain him. Perhaps David’s best move is to take his focus off himself or his tormentor and place his attention on and trust in God. Focusing on God, His attributes, and His past faithfulness is always a good move.
