2Ch 31:16 | KingComments | STEP | Kore has his own task, but does not perform it as a loner. There are others who are “under his authority … to distribute faithfully” ( ). Here again there is talk of ‘faithfully’ ( ). These men act as “faithful and sensible” stewards ( ). Whoever acts faithfully, will act before the Lord and without regard to persons. We see that with these helpers of Kore. They distribute to their brothers, both to the great and the small, and to the elderly and to the young. The fact that there is no distinction between older people and young people when it comes to their portion of the gifts does not mean that there are no exceptions. All those who are in the cities of Judah get what they need to live from. However, priests in active service do not receive from them. They receive their portion while they do their service in the house of the LORD in Jerusalem ( ). Also the children of three [as it reads in Hebrew] years and older, who they have taken with them to Jerusalem and are with them for the time of their service, get what they need (cf. ). It is important that in the distribution only the real priests get a portion. In order to determine this, the genealogical registers are consulted ( ). Someone could register as a priest in order to receive some of the collected gifts, without really being a priest. However, he will be discovered if his name does not appear in the genealogical register. Only those who are real priests are enrolled in the register and can receive a portion of the collected tithes. In we see another difference between the priests and the Levites with regard to their registration. The priests are registered “according to their fathers’ households” and the Levites “by their duties [and] their divisions”, while their age also plays a role. The service of the priests is directed to God, the service of the Levites to the people of God. We can apply this to us as members of the church of God. In our relationship to God, we are all priests and may sacrifice to Him, regardless of our age. In our service in the midst of God’s people, we all have different tasks, which require a certain spiritual maturity to perform. The registers also contain “all their little children, their wives, their sons and their daughters, for the whole assembly” ( ). In these different distinguished groups we can see spiritual growth as a priest and Levite. It is like with the family of God, which consists of fathers, young men and little children ( ). There are stages in spiritual growth. But at whatever stage one is, he is a member of the family of God and shares in the blessings this brings. The priests and Levites who do not live in the cities are not forgotten during the division ( ). Although they are not directly involved in the service in the house of God, they receive their portion if they are designated by name among the priests and genealogically enrolled among the Levites.

‏ 2 Chronicles 31:16

The Priests and the Levites Get Their Portion

Kore has his own task, but does not perform it as a loner. There are others who are “under his authority … to distribute faithfully” (2Chr 31:15). Here again there is talk of ‘faithfully’ (2Chr 31:12). These men act as “faithful and sensible” stewards (Lk 12:42). Whoever acts faithfully, will act before the Lord and without regard to persons. We see that with these helpers of Kore. They distribute to their brothers, both to the great and the small, and to the elderly and to the young.

The fact that there is no distinction between older people and young people when it comes to their portion of the gifts does not mean that there are no exceptions. All those who are in the cities of Judah get what they need to live from. However, priests in active service do not receive from them. They receive their portion while they do their service in the house of the LORD in Jerusalem (2Chr 31:16). Also the children of three [as it reads in Hebrew] years and older, who they have taken with them to Jerusalem and are with them for the time of their service, get what they need (cf. 1Sam 1:23).

It is important that in the distribution only the real priests get a portion. In order to determine this, the genealogical registers are consulted (2Chr 31:17-19). Someone could register as a priest in order to receive some of the collected gifts, without really being a priest. However, he will be discovered if his name does not appear in the genealogical register. Only those who are real priests are enrolled in the register and can receive a portion of the collected tithes.

In 2Chr 31:17 we see another difference between the priests and the Levites with regard to their registration. The priests are registered “according to their fathers’ households” and the Levites “by their duties [and] their divisions”, while their age also plays a role. The service of the priests is directed to God, the service of the Levites to the people of God.

We can apply this to us as members of the church of God. In our relationship to God, we are all priests and may sacrifice to Him, regardless of our age. In our service in the midst of God’s people, we all have different tasks, which require a certain spiritual maturity to perform.

The registers also contain “all their little children, their wives, their sons and their daughters, for the whole assembly” (2Chr 31:18). In these different distinguished groups we can see spiritual growth as a priest and Levite. It is like with the family of God, which consists of fathers, young men and little children (1Jn 2:12-18). There are stages in spiritual growth. But at whatever stage one is, he is a member of the family of God and shares in the blessings this brings.

The priests and Levites who do not live in the cities are not forgotten during the division (2Chr 31:19). Although they are not directly involved in the service in the house of God, they receive their portion if they are designated by name among the priests and genealogically enrolled among the Levites.