SOAP 05/08/2016; 1 Chronicles 24:4

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25*

S) "⁴ Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households."

1 Chronicles 24:4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Chronicles 24

O) David was in the middle of assigning, or reassigning, temple duties for the Levites. He was going to have twenty four officers in the temple, selected by casting the lot. Eleazar and Ithamar were the two surviving sons of Aaron, who served as priests after their father. After time, the families that descended from Eleazar were larger that those from Ithamar, so they took more officers from that side of the family. All of them were still Levites. All of them were still descended from Aaron.

A) This verse seems to warn me, because it seems to be included as an explanation. This verse seems to be answering a whiny question, "Why do they get more officers from their family?" Even the public recording of the names, as noted in v.6, seems to be a matter of covering liability, or something. Ultimately, when it comes to a choosing of any kind, I must be humble enough that not getting picked is not going to ruin me. If another family has more than me, even twice as much, that should never be an issue. As long as I am in relationship with Christ Jesus, nothing else should matter. It's tempting to compare and contrast, but that only leads to bitterness or arrogance, and I don't want either of those things.

P) Father, You are perfect and holy. Your judgments are sure and righteous. You never call someone by mistake, and Your plans are beyond scrutiny. Let me always be content in my relationship with You, God. Let me always be humble, that I am never bothered by the successes of others. Let me always be humble, that I am never thinking more highly of my own successes than I ought. In Christ, I am chosen to be conformed to His image, and there is no greater destiny that I could ever have. Let Your will be done, and let me be content with my place in it. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.