Come on and celebrate…..

Drowning in lists again but this verse stood out –

All these were descendants of Asher—heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle, as listed in their genealogy, was 26,000. 1 Chronicles 7:40

Nothing to say about it really other than it took my fancy and made me think we could still do with people like this at this point in history too.

So after all these extensive, comprehensive, detailed lists of descendants, we come to these two verses, which offer no detail or explanation at all –

All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.
Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.  1 Chronicles 9:1-2

The people are slowly returning from exile. This is big news! They are trickling back to resettle in their own home towns.

No explanation. No comment. No rejoicing. Just lists of those returning and the the towns they are returning to.

The gatekeepers get special mention. I guess their role seems even more essential after all that the people have been through –

Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.

Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices. 1 Chronicles 9:22-29

This makes me think of our church wardens and all the hard work that they put in and the huge responsibility that they have – most of what they do is unseen and largely unappreciated and yet they have been appointed to this role and have proved themselves trustworthy and faithful. I’m going to make sure I thank them properly today.

1 Chronicles 10 tells the story of the death of Saul in the same way as we have come across before. This is obviously an important incident worthy of special mention (and completely different to all the text around it).

David becomes king. David conquers Jerusalem. David is surrounded by mighty warriors (that story about David wishing for water from a well in Bethlehem and his men fetching it and him refusing to drink it and spilling it out on the ground is there…). Get this for a description of some of the warriors –

Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.  1 Chronicles 12:8

Many defect to serve with David and he becomes king of a united Israel. There is much joy and celebration as the ark is brought to Jerusalem…..well, that’s the intention, but Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark when the cart wobbles and is killed for it and David is filled with the fear of God, remember? When he does finally arrange it, it makes sure it’s done properly.

And there are musicians. Lots of musicians. Because music matters.

And when David celebrates, his wife watches on and can’t handle it. (Proper celebrating means letting yourself go and abandoning yourself to joy and most of us are far too caught up in what other people will think of us to really go for it).

A psalm of praise bubbles up from inside of him – it’s fab – we’ll look at that properly tomorrow….

Just on this Sunday morning, I’ll leave you with this –

How do we celebrate who God is and all that He has done?

Does it look like celebrating?

Does it feel like celebrating?

Is there anything to celebrate?

What would happen if we really tried to express what is going on inside?

How do we show joy?

Do we even feel joy?

Come on and celebrate His gift of love
We will celebrate
The Son of God who loved us
And gave us life
We’ll shout Your praise O King
You gave us joy
Nothing else can bring
We’ll give to You our offering
In celebration praise.

Come on and celebrate, celebrate
Celebrate and sing
Celebrate and sing to the King
Come on and celebrate, celebrate
Celebrate and sing
Celebrate and sing to the King

How will you celebrate God’s gift of love today?

Does God give you joy that nothing else can bring?

How will you offer your celebration praise?