1 Chronicles 1:1 - 9:44
At the end of today's reading, we see a section about the gatekeepers of the house of the Lord. (1 Chron 9:17-34) We will see the gatekeepers again in 1 Chron 26:1-19. They were few in number, but their responsibilities included
Guarding the house of the Lord,
Safekeeping of the treasuries in the temple, and
Opening the gate for access to God.
Even today as believers we have the first two responsibilities. As we mature in our faith we are responsible for guarding the house of the Lord which is in our heart. We must guard against sin's attacks at the gate. We must protect the gate with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. These enable us to cast a discerning eye on all things that want access to our lives and protect the treasure of our relationship with God.
Without them we allow entrance into our heart for things like pride, jealousy, hate, selfishness, dissension, fear, etc. As these sins enter into our tabernacle, they will steal and devour the treasures that God has placed there. They steal away the intimate relationship with God.
It is very important we realize that the passage includes a sharing of duties. There are times in our lives when we are weak and unable to protect the gate. It is these times that we need to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us protect the treasures that God has placed in our hearts.
The last responsibility of opening the gate and gaining access to God belongs to Jesus. He is the the gate and the only one with the key.
John 10:7 "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep."
John 10:9 "I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved."
The only one that can grant access to Almighty God is Jesus.
The gatekeepers to the house of the Lord held an extremely important job. We don't have the key to the gate. We don't decide who can enter the gate. But we can be a doorman and show people the gate and who holds the key.
Psalms 84:10b "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
