Day 117—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 117 – 1 Chronicles 6 – (the genealogies of the priestly tribe of Levi)

Reading all these unusual-sounding names may be difficult and boring, but the lists were crucial to Israel. After they were exiled to Babylon for 70 years (verse 15) and returned, they needed to know where their portion of land was located. They needed to keep track of the kingly line in Judah, through which the Messiah would come. And the Levites needed to know their portion of work in the newly built temple.

The three priestly clans of Levi are listed: Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. From Numbers 4, we read about each having their work in the Tabernacle service and in the packing up and carrying of the parts of it when they “wandered in the wilderness.”

It’s interesting to see that the prophet Samuel was a Kohathite. By God’s specific choice, he was able to offer sacrifices even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. (Verses 22-28)

Also interesting are the men David chose to be in charge of “the service of song” in the house of the LORD after the Ark rested there. He chose one from each of the Levite clans: Herman, a Kohathite, Asaph, of Gershom, and Ethan of Merari. (Verses 31-48) Yesterday we read three of the songs written by Asaph. Asaph wrote twelve in all (Psalms 50, 73-80).  Herman wrote Psalm 88, and Ethan wrote Psalm 89.