God put talented people on the map

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

It reminds me of one of my favourite books as a child, our A-Z atlas of Birmingham! I loved looking at our street and its connections from the unique angle of the map maker. I was intrigued with how each local area around us had famous names (often pubs) which were landmarks and signifiers of life, placeholders for meetings and memories. And I was fascinated by the shapes of areas built in different ways at different times. Each held clues about when and why it was built, some streets for living, some for travel, others for fun.

In Chronicles, I love this big picture of God’s provision which starts with his people, but it’s not just a family tree. This section starts to map the connections between famous names, tribes and land. So, when I look over the list, I’m reminded of the land, waters, pastures, settlements with funny names and everything God must have provided through the earth and sky for life to thrive in the abundance I can feel from so… many… names…

I’m also noticing a special kind of family running through chapter 6. Can you see the different shape? Does that suggest it’s something special? This unusual tribe of Levi is noted meticulously across dozens of generations. This lot seems important. But, unlike the surrounding tribes, there are no head counts of soldiers or stories of hard-fought territory or plunder. Instead, there’s a big chunk of text about… music?!

This is a standout feature at the heart of the map of God’s provision - talent to lead worship, before there was even a temple! I’m struck by how painstakingly the writer draws the family line of each worship leader back to Levi, as if to emphasise the importance of their place in the network of people. Everyone is well connected, but these people, close to the physical presence of God, are specially connected to the people God had given a special promise.

Levi’s family did not deal in the same kind of physical inheritance as the other tribes because God promised himself as their inheritance. They were to rely on him, and in practice that meant learning to be the experts in connecting people with God. Some grew to be musicians, others priests, and the rest given duties to ensure God’s house remained special.

Can you see a shape in God’s provision now? It seems designed to point people to him.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God wants to be recognisably present among people. There is a range of families with different stories of what God’s provision of material, talents or help in battle has meant for them. Together, God’s people map out relational and physical structures which point the world to his provision, presence and power.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Thank God for what I have learned from my family and what he can help me pass to mine.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family!