Doorkeepers in the House of God
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel (Chronicles 6:31-33).
Dear Friends,
Remember Rahab the Harlot? Why is it that the writers of Scripture include the words “the Harlot” when they mention her? Could it be Rahab herself preferred this description because it was one way of declaring the faithfulness and mercy of God? Once she was a harlot; now, she is a daughter of the King.
Perhaps this is why the sons of Korah carried Korah’s name four hundred years after Korah’s rebellion against God’s selection of Moses and Aaron as leaders of the Israelites. The rebellion ended when God opened up the earth and swallowed everyone who shared Korah’s sin. This horrific event terrified the Israelites and seared into their memories the consequences of sinning against their Lord. Yet there is a “PS” attached to this tale. Instead of going down into the depths of Sheol with their father, the sons of Korah escaped God’s wrath. God removed their shame and placed them in positions of honor. Though once their name was a mark of dishonor, the seventh generation of Korah’s family-owned their forefather’s name as a means of reminding the Israelites of not only the justice but also the mercy of God.
You may not have heard of the Sons of Korah before reading about them in this devotional. But you most likely know the prophet Samuel’s story. The prophet Samuel comes from the line of Korah. Sadly, Samuel’s sons rejected the faith of their father and “did not walk in his ways, but turned after gain.” These men were more like their ancestors, Korah. But, the grandsons of Samuel separated themselves from the sins of their fathers, and God rewarded them with the honor of caring for the tabernacle as well as leading worship:
“These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel” (1Chronicles 6:31-33).
In time, our gracious God restored many of the sons of Korah to the very position despised by their forefathers. Instead of discontent or jealousy, the Sons of Korah display great humility and hunger for deeper intimacy with our God. Eleven Psalms were either written by the sons of Korah or for the Sons of Korah, and knowing their history helps bring even more beauty to the message of God’s glory and redemption.
Seeing them lead worship by God’s decree should give each of us a deeper awareness of who our God is. Though dead, let the Sons of Korah encourage you to remember our Lord is merciful and long-suffering. He knows we are frail and doesn’t treat us as we deserve.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Read several of the Psalms written by or for the Sons of Korah: Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, and 87-88. Look for hints of their past and how the sin of their forefather drove them to a deeper appreciation for God’s mercy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 19 June 2022.
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