Keeper of the House

Today’s Verse:

But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein. ~Ezekiel 44:14

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As children mature, the parents will often put the oldest child in charge of the house. This means the oldest child takes responsibility for conduct and order in the household until mom and dad return home. This morning, we are considering the important responsibilities that God vested in the Levites for the house of God, and how this is a powerful picture of the care God’s people are to exercise for God’s house.

We see their tendencies.

“And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.” As keepers of the house, God had strict standards and leadership requirements for the lives of the Levites. These responsibilities included their clothing (vv. 17-19), their comeliness (v. 20), their consumption (vv. 21, 29), their companionship (v. 22), and their cleansing (v. 25-26). God requires that we uphold and follow high standards for serving Him. We are to demonstrate that we serve the living God in our appearance and standards.

We see their testimony.

“Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.” Keepers of the house represent God to the people, and the people to God. We do not serve to dominate and “lord over” God’s people, but are to be examples to the flock. The testimony of a servant of the Lord should reflect that he delights in serving God. He needs an attitude like David who said he desired to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Keepers of the house must love serving God and people, and not come before the people with a begrudging attitude.

We see their teaching.

“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Keepers of the house teach through their lives and with their lips. The doctrines of Scripture become real and meaningful to the people we serve when we demonstrate it in our lives. Our preaching and teaching must be based in holiness and separation to the Lord. In addition, we must be so prayed-up, what we teach should move those being taught to draw closer to God because we as keepers live it out as a conviction in our lives.

We see their tasking.

“And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the LORD God.” The sin offering was for the atonement of sins. As keepers of the house, we should have an intense burden for the souls and salvation of the lost. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The burnt offering was to impress on every person the importance of the dedication of his or her life. Today, God demands His people to give their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. In effect as keepers of the house, we should emphasize taking up our crosses and following Him.

As keepers of the house, we are responsible for the lives of the people we serve. The business of the church requires that we be at our best, give our best, and encourage those who we serve us to do the same.

Have a servant God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Corinthians 5-9

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