Monday's Devo - Order in the Court

Read 1 Chron 23
This chapter reminds me of the list of critics at the end of a movie. I use to wonder who reads those. But if one of my son's names was on it I would sit through 100 names to read his. This is a list of all the Levites from Moses till now. Why is this relevant to us? Zech. 14 explains what will happen when Jesus comes back to earth. The temple will be restored and Levites will be put back in their order. They'll need these chapters to help them organize.
The Levites were divided into 4 parts. Most (24,000) were needed for the work of God's house. I think those are the majority of us all doing our part whether it is teaching children, hosting a group at our home, using our gift at our local church and wherever we go. Six thousand were leaders: the pastors, priests, and teachers. Four thousand were porters. Those are the prophets, intercessors, discerners of spirits; people that spiritually stand at the doors and allow things to come in and go out. Four thousand were in charge of worship: the singers, players of instruments, worshipers. David himself created some of the instruments they used. They all had their part- the one they were created to do.
The sons of Levi were divided into 3 courses lead by Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Gershon means "a refugee". His son's names meant they were the ones who went high with God and were famous with him. Their chief"s name meant "captive (or returned) of God". They remind us that our home is not in this world but in heaven. Jesus prayed that God's will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Kohath means "to ally oneself". They were to burn incense before the Lord. These were the intercessors. Incense is the aroma of prayers of the saints. His son's names meant things like "anointing oil"; "high people".
Merari means "to make bitter". He was the discerner of spirits; the judge. In the Old Testament if a woman was accused of adultery she was brought before the priest and made to drink bitter water. If she was guilty her stomach would swell and rot. This speaks of righteous judgment. Not pretty, but needed. It is called reaping what you sowed in the New Testament. We need accountability and consequences. It produces a healthy fear of God.
These 3 men represented the things we need in every local body in order to be complete.
Lord we ask you to set up the Levites in their order in the church. May we all find our God-designed place in the body and do the work we were created to do.