DBG - May 7 - I Chronicles 6

In this chapter we look at the genealogy of Levi and their various roles and cities.

vs. 1-15 – The descendants of Levi begin by focusing in vs. 3-15 on the line of the high priests, from Aaron to Jehozadak who held the office when the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.  It is Jehozadak’s son Joshua that is the first high priest when the Temple is rebuilt in 516 B.C. 

vs. 16-30 – A broader look at the descendants of Levi beyond the high priests.  The three sons of Levi bring three divisions to the tribe, each with their own responsibilities and duties.

vs. 31-47 – One of David’s greatest innovations was the inclusion of music into worship.  He established three men as leaders, one from each of the tribal divisions: Heman the Kohathite (grandson of Samuel the prophet!), Asaph the Gershonite, and Ethan the Merarite. 

vs. 48-53 – The work of the priests from Aaron’s descendants are highlighted.  The genealogy of the high priest is repeated through Ahimaaz.  No reason is given for this truncated repetition, possibly it simply serves as segue to the next section.  Some think it is from a different source than the previously stated information, but there is no real reason for it.

vs. 54-81 – The cities given to the Levites in Joshua 21 are repeated with some minor variations in name or spelling.  If you are paying very close attention, there are a few cities not listed but still counted.  The exclusion seems to indicate that those cities were utterly destroyed and unhabituated in Ezra’s time. 

One of the reasons Ezra wrote this book and included these genealogies is because they were attempting to reestablish the Jewish identity after the Babylonian Captivity.  Of all the family information given, this chapter is the most important because it marks those who could serve as priests when the Temple was rebuilt.  Not just anyone could be a priest or Levite.  You had to have the proper pedigree.  I am thankful that such things are not important today.  It does not matter who your great-great-great-great-grandfather is because anyone can serve God.  Indeed each of us are in a sense priests serving under our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. 

Our hymn today was written by John Mason and first appeared in 1683 under the heading, “A Song of Praise for Christ”.  I have chosen it because it speaks in part about Christ as our great High Priest.  We have spent today reading about mortal priests, I think it is only fitting that we look beyond them to our Immortal Intercessor.

I've found the Pearl of greatest Price,
My Heart doth sing for Joy:
And sing I must, a Christ I have;
O what a Christ have I?

Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life,
The Way to God on High,
Life to the Dead, the Truth of Types,
The Truth of Prophesy.

Christ is a Prophet, Priest and King,
A Prophet full of Light,
A Priest that stands 'twixt God and Man,
A King that rules with Might.

Christ's Manhood is a Temple, where
The Altar God doth rest;
My Christ, he is the Sacrifice,
My Christ he is the Priest.

My Christ he is the Lord of Lords,
He is the King of Kings;
He is the Sun of Righteousness,
With Healing in his Wings.

My Christ, he is the Tree of Life,
Which in God's garden grows;
Whose Fruit does feed, whose Leaves do heal;
My Christ is Sharon's Rose.

Christ is my Meat, Christ is my Drink,
My Physick and my Health,
My Peace, my Strength, my Joy, my Crown,
My Glory and my Wealth.

Christ is my Father, and my Friend,
My Brother and my Love;
My Head, my Hope, my Counsellor,
My Advocate above.

My Christ, he is the Heav'n of Heav'ns,
My Christ what shall I call?
My Christ is First, my Christ is Last,
My Christ is All in All.