One verse today, just before we reach the great “Passover” event in Ezra chapter 6, at chapter’s end.

In review …

The altar of worship has now been built.

The Temple completed as well.

And a resultant time of celebration enjoyed!

But now, the workers in the sanctuary (spiritual ministers) must be once again “organized!”

So … “They set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.” Ezra 6:18

The priests in their “divisions.”

And the Levites in their “courses.”

For the “service” (meaning “work, manual labor” even) of God!

Let’s talk about these numerous “workers” for a while today.

King David during his reign arranged the priests and Levites into orderly groups. 1st Chronicles chapters 23 and 24 describe that effort. (The Levites in chapter 23 and then the priests in chapter 24.)

With the “new” Temple now functioning many such men would be needed. (Preparation of animals for sacrifice, maintaining the Temple furniture, grounds, etc. As well as the actual officiating at the worship events themselves!)

But our Text (Ezra 6:8) does not mention David’s so dividing these men into groups! It mentions “the Book of Moses,” the Pentateuch one assumes (Genesis through Deuteronomy).

So (surprisingly) we must now look to Scripture written earlier than David! Passages like Exodus 29 (the Priests’ ordination ceremony) and Leviticus 8 (ordination again) and Numbers 3 (the many varied duties of the Levites, then a census of their ranks) and Numbers 8 (the consecration of the Levites), etc.

This new Temple, Zerubbabel’s, and its daily “operation” must have been on a much larger scale that we first imagined! Worshipping God with all one’s heart is that important! And must be laced with obedience to His Word, to the Bible!  

By the way (the practical part of today’s lesson) … let’s thank God for the multiple (thousands upon thousands, worldwide) of Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries (plus a host of others types of ministers) who exist in the Kingdom of God today!

For God’s “call” upon their lives.

For their dedication to Him.

For the way the Holy Spirit orchestrates all God’s work into one beautiful “goal!”

For the benefit they bring to us, members of the Body of Christ!

The Family of God … a big complicated Outfit!

But one that, generally speaking, functions harmoniously!

Praise His Name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell