Doorkeepers

Linda Pollock October 27, 2022 0 1

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Psalm 84: 10 (NRSVA)

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than live in the tents of wickedness.

This song is attributed to the “Korahites,” the sons of Korah. In the book of Numbers, we learn that Korah and others lead 250 men against God’s chosen leaders of the people, Moses and Aaron. The story goes that as Korah and his fellow rebels stood outside their tents, the ground opened and swallowed them. A few men were left behind, and those who survived the rebellion were shown grace and mercy and became servants in the sanctuary of God, a humble task. So, when we read in verse 10, “…I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.” We are reminded that the descendants of Korah know what it is to serve, to do the menial tasks, to offer the humble hard work of preparing the place of worship for others to give their best to God. The choice for the Korahites then was to serve humbly or dwell with the wicked men opposing God. What appeared to be a demeaning choice led them to sing songs of joy.

I love this image of being a doorkeeper in God’s dwelling place. It is not a place of power, as many today think of ‘door-keepers’, deciding who is ‘in’ the Kingdom of God and who is not included, using texts out of context and formulae to measure whether we are part of the ‘in’ or part of the ‘out’ group. The ancestors of the Korahites sinned against God, but grace prevailed. Our God is One Who transforms, we then are confident that God He will transform us.

PRAYER:

God of grace, thank You for turning humiliation into humble service. This new day, may I seek ways to humbly serve, and to sing songs of gratitude because You invite me to share in Your work of welcoming whosoever wishes to interact with You. In the Name of Christ Jesus. Amen