Military Divisions

 

 

! Chronicles 27:1-15

 

April 27, 2023

 

Military Divisions

This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers' houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000:

Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were 24,000.  He was a descendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month.  Dodai the Ahohite^[a] was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000. The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000.  This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division.  Asahel the brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were 24,000.  The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000.  Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000.  Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000.  Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000.  Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were 24,000.  Tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000.  Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000.  Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were 24,000.

An army of 288,000, ready if needed, we might call that a reserve, but these were warriors ready for battle, but for eleven months of the year, they were husbands, dads, Temple goers, and businessmen.  But they were ready to drop the plow and pick up a sword.  It seemed David as he had done with the priested, he how was doing with the military.  He was bringing about a more stable military for his son Solomon.

Do you see yourself ready for battle, I must confess, I do not see the Church ready to stand strong and wait for the Lord.  Our God is among other things a warrior, and He has never lost a battle, nor will He, so the Church is not what shows up most Sundays, it is much smaller and stronger. It must stand, and watch God defeat His enemies.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice