1 Chronicles 24 Devotional

Assignments Drawn Before the LORD

“As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.”1 Chronicles 24:31 (BSB)

Chapter 24 divides the priests, the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar, into twenty-four divisions (24:1-4). Eleazar's family had more leaders, yet the order of service was not settled by rank. Lots were cast and recorded before the king, one family from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar (24:5-6). The other Levites cast lots too, family heads and younger brothers alike (24:31).

Proverbs says every decision of the lot is from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33). These priests received their turns as assignments from God, not prizes won. And one name reaches a long way: the eighth lot fell to Abijah (24:10). Luke introduces Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah, chosen by lot to burn incense on the day an angel announced the son who would go ahead of the Lord to make a people ready for him (Luke 1:5-17). God was ordering his house long before the moment it mattered most. Your place in his work is assigned with the same care.

To think about: How might it change your attitude toward your current role if you saw it as an assignment from God rather than a position to compare?