1 Chronicles 24:3–4: “Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service. There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.”

September 12th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The priestly duties were divided into 24 divisions: 16 for Eleazar and 8 for Ithamar. Each served for a week, twice a year. In the New Testament Gospel of Luke, almost 1000 years later, we find that the Levite priest Zacharias was serving in the temple according to the divisions David had set up here in this chapter. Many believe that the heads of these 24 divisions were the chief priests so often spoken of in the New Testament. Obviously David was hearing correctly from the Lord since 1000 years later God was still blessing the system he initiated. The concept that our actions, the work of our hands, can have an impact for years to come is often forgotten in our modern world of fast food and 3-minute car washes. What might God want us to do today that will leave a godly, lasting impact on others?

Many years ago, Christian professor Stuart Blackie of the University of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented oral readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, “Take your book in your right hand, and be seated!” At this harsh rebuke, the student held up his right arm. He didn’t have a right hand! The other students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and with tears streaming from his eyes, said, “I never knew about it. Please, will you forgive me?” His humble apology made a lasting impact on that young man. The story was told some time later in a large gathering of believers. At the close of the meeting a man came forward, turned to the crowd, and raised his right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, “I was that student. Professor Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could have done it if he had not made the wrong, right.” Sometimes simple humility and admitting to someone that you are wrong may provide an opportunity to lead them to salvation.

“LORD, lead us today into an opportunity where we can leave a lasting impact on someone else for eternity.”

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1 Chronicles 24 KJV

¹ Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ² But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office. ³ And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. ⁴ And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. ⁵ Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. ⁶ And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.  ⁷ Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, ⁸The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, ⁹ The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, ¹⁰ The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, ¹¹ The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, ¹² The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, ¹³ The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, ¹⁴The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, ¹⁵ The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses, ¹⁶ The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, ¹⁷ The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul, ¹⁸ The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. ¹⁹ These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. ²⁰ And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah. ²¹ Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah. ²² Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.  ²³ And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first , Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. ²⁴ Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir. ²⁵ The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah. ²⁶ The sons of Merari wereMahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno. ²⁷ The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. ²⁸ Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons. ²⁹ Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel. ³⁰The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers. ³¹ These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.