Articles
I HAD RATHER BE A DOORKEEPER
As God prepared His people to enter the Promised Land, He assigned the tribe of Levi to
be in charge of all things related to worship. That meant that the Levites provided all of the
priests, as well as those who would care for the tabernacle/temple and any other possible
assignment relating to the worship of God.
Among the various families of the Levites, each family received a particular assignment.
The family of Kohath was assigned to carry the tabernacle furnishings as they traveled, but even
though they were Levites, they could not serve as priests. Korah, the head of the family, felt
slighted, and led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. “And Moses said unto Korah, ‘Hear, I
pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath
separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the service
of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
And He hath brought thee near to Him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and
seek ye the priesthood also?’” (Numbers 16:10). The wrath of God fell on Korah and the other
rebels, and the earth opened up and swallowed them.
Several generations later, the family of Korah was still serving faithfully in the temple,
not as priests, but as gatekeepers. Perhaps this prompted them to write in Psalm 84:10, “For a
day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
In other words, they had more joy from one day in the service of the Lord, than for a
thousand days in the service of evil. There is joy in simple service to God, in whatever humble
capacity we find ourselves. Aren’t we grateful for the many who serve the cause of Christ in
those unsung positions that we would never do without! B. Johnson
