1 Chronicles 25:1-8; 1 Chronicles 26:13-19
The gifts, the responsibilities and the different activities are given by the Head of the Church, as we recalled yesterday. But the believer is invited to desire these gifts, and to ask the Lord for them. "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy . . . He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 14:3). Is it truly the desire of each one of us so to be used in the service of the Lord? Then let us ask Him to give us one of these spiritual gifts – not to make ourselves important, but for the good of the Assembly and for the glory of the Lord Jesus. After those who prophesied (ch. 25), we have named afresh the porters or overseers (ch. 26). This is a service equally to be desired! "If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work" (1 Timothy 3:1).
Here we again find Obed-Edom with his eight sons and his sixty-two descendants. He had reverenced the ark. At the present time it is God who honours and blesses him (1 Chronicles 26:4-8; 1 Chronicles 26:15). He entrusts to this family the house of Asuppim (or storehouse). On them will depend the food of the priests, a picture of teaching in the Assembly. An important responsibility indeed! (see Matthew 24:45-46).