Levites chosen for priestly service.
“Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” (Luke 1:8-9NASB)
The choice was not man’s. The tribe was picked before the soul was created. Bloodlines determined man’s priestly service within these divisions. Chosen by lot, God picked the one who would enter His temple to burn incense. Just for a moment wonder about this priest as he went about his task. Imagine him praying, a fragrance more pleasing than incense.
God now chooses from every tribe and nation.
This time the soul must be born again. New life because of Christ’s blood. Being born into a priestly order is now, and has always been, according to the sovereign choice of God. He chooses and rewards those who believe Him.
Abram wasn’t “born again” nor were those folks in Nineveh. One heard God the others His prophet. Abram exercised faith through obedience. The people of Nineveh believed God was about to destroy them, so they repented. Today the Spirit is making known, through the gospel, the promises and the judgements of God.
The dead lack the understanding of what it means to be born again. Nicodemus is my proof. He did not understand, but he came to believe in the one who was speaking. The scriptures explain Nicodemus this way. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:21NASB) To practice truth, when we hear it, is the obedience of Abram that results in trusting behavior.
“Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:5NASB) To repent of our sin is to be like Nineveh, believing that God means what He says. He does!
In case you’re wondering, because of doubters, there are plenty in God’s house, God Almighty slew the kings and gave Abraham’s promised land to His chosen people, Israel. It is their heritage and God’s loving kindness is everlasting. It will always be their land. Not one of God’s promises will fail. Be glad of that, for if He reneged on Abraham what would that mean for us?
“And slew mighty kings,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And Og, king of Bashan,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And gave their land as a heritage,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
Even a heritage to Israel His servant,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psalm 136:18-22NASB)
His Family Table 