Recently I've been reading the Old Testament, starting with Genesis, and
currently in Job. Dare I say it? Parts of Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers and 1 Chronicles are very repetitive: very detailed descriptions
of the tabernacle, furniture, priestly clothing, sacrifices and the
temple; lists of people and their positions. I have to admit it, I
skimmed over those chapters this time. But the excruciating details and
lists of obscure people communicate some important things.
First, the God who created everything "good" should be served with our
best skills, with our full attention and With our complete respect.
Second, while many of the people in the lists are obscure, unknown, to
us God knew them and recognized them by mentioning what they did in His
word. God won't be listing us in the Bible, but He does know us and He
does know what we do. God cares about even us "nobodies"!
On another tack, encouraging and sobering, God uses those who are
available to Him, flaws and all. It's comforting, because I'm certainly a
very flawed person! It's sobering, because God even used some REALLY
flawed people. Being used by God is no "badge" of goodness or spiritual
maturity; it is, however, a "badge" of God's grace.
One of the very detailed lists of people and functions/positions is in 1
Chronicles 21. What stood our for me, though, was that this was a
reorganization of people done by David in preparation for the building
of the temple (which would be done by his son, Solomon). Similarly, I
believe, God will prepare His people before He does significant things!
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