1 Chronicles 26 lists the gatekeepers and treasurers in Israel. Again, the lists are long, and the details minute, because this information was quite important to the Chronicler. As we read through the names and duties, they might not seem so important to us, but if we were Levites, priests, musicians, gatekeepers, or treasurers in Israel, or our ancestors were, these lists would be quite important to us, too.
1 Chronicles 27 lists the military leaders and the tribal leaders over the twelve tribes of Israel, along with some of the key counselors in the nation. 1 Chronicles concludes in chapter 28 with David’s charge to the people of Israel regarding the construction of the Temple, which would fall to his son, Solomon. Then chapter 29 concludes with David giving a charge to Solomon concerning his supervision of the construction of the Temple. To the Chronicler, the Temple and everything concerning the Temple and the priesthood were of paramount interest. While other biblical writers focused on these matters, the Chronicler paid particular attention to the Temple and the priesthood. This is the same as any of us who have a particular interest in a specific area of life, as I do with sports, and specifically baseball. I tend to know more facts about baseball than any other sport, because I have focused on it my whole life. While the illustration breaks down a bit, because there’s nothing divinely inspired about my knowledge of and interest in baseball, the Chronicler’s knowledge and inspiration came from the LORD!
Matthew 19 begins the same way as Mark 10, with the Pharisees coming to Jesus to ask whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. While the order of the response is changed by Matthew, he offers the same response from Jesus as Mark: No. It was not God’s intention for a man to divorce his wife. God ordered it in creation for a man and woman to leave their families of origin and be one as husband and wife. When the disciples questioned Jesus about this matter, He told them not everyone can receive this message, and that some in hearing it would even become celibate in service of the LORD. (He used the term become a eunuch.) This passage speaks clearly to those who say Jesus made no comment about homosexual relationships. He didn’t use the term homosexual, but He spoke clearly about marriage being as God ordered it in Genesis 2 between one man and one woman.
Matthew 19 follows the same order as Mark 10, as after this conversation about divorce, some parents brought their children to Jesus for Him to bless them. When the disciples rebuked the parents, Jesus told the disciples to let them come, because the Kingdom of Heaven is made up of such as they.
Finally, as in Mark 10, Matthew 19 records Jesus’ interaction with the rich, young man who wanted to know what to do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him to obey the commandments, the man responded he had obeyed them all his life. Then Jesus told the man he lacked one thing: he needed to give away all he had to the poor, then he would have riches in heaven, and he could come follow Jesus. The man couldn’t part with his riches, so he parted company with Jesus. When Jesus told the disciples it was hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they were amazed, because they had been taught riches were a blessing from God. That idea is still prevalent in many places around the world, including the United States of America. When Jesus told the disciples it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they asked in amazement, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus told them it was impossible in human terms, but possible with God. Finally, Peter asked Jesus what the disciples would receive, because they had given up everything to follow Him? Jesus responded anyone who had given up homes or family or land for Him or the Kingdom, would receive many times as much in return, and eternal life. (Mark adds that in this life we will face persecution with it.) Jesus concluded with the statement, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” As always, Jesus wanted us to understand the way we think things are isn’t always the way they are. The ways of God’s Kingdom are often strange to our ears and challenging to our hearts. It’s important for us to understand, though, His ways are always best for us. Only then will we put Him and His Kingdom first in our lives.