1Chronicles 24 l DIVISIONS OF THE PRIESTS

Today’s reading: 1Chronicles 24-26

1Chronicles 24.05 “5 Thus they were divided by lot, the one as the other; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar.”

In our reading for today, the chronicler records the division of priests (Kohanim) from the tribe of Levi into 24 groups, and their various duties.

The priests (Kohanim) in each division were on duty twice a year for a week at a time.

But today will briefly look at one of these divisions.

1Chronicles 24.10b “10 …the eighth for Abijah,”

If you fast forward to the Book of Luke, Luke records that Zacharias, who was going to be the father of John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus (Yeshua), was of the division of Abijah (Luke 01.05).

Zacharias was chosen by lot to be the priest (Kohen) who offered the incense (Luke 01.07-09). Many people think that because of the large number of priests (Kohanim) in the time of Zechariah, this would have been his only time that he was allowed to do this.

It was during his job as priest (Kohen) that the LORD revealed to him that he and his barren wife Elizabeth a year from now will have a son, and they will name him John. The LORD also told him that John would be the forerunner of HaMashiach, the Messiah (Luke 01.08-25)!