Prima Donna

2 Chronicles 29:11

The priests, however, were too few to skin all the burnt offerings; so their kinsmen the Levites helped them until the task was finished and until other priests had been consecrated, for the Levites had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

In an opera or theatrical production, a prima donna refers to its lead actress, usually a soprano, playing the role of the heroine. Later on, possibly because of the temperaments and demands of many egoistic leads, it became an expression for someone who behaves as if she deserves all the red carpet treatment possible. In the Phantom of the Opera movie, both meanings apply to one vain woman: Carlotta Giudicelli. There was that scene where she walked out from rehearsal, thinking her indispensability will panic everybody to run after her. To her disappointment, it just paved the way for the discovery and fame of Christine Daaé, the phantom’s protégé.

On the first month of the first year of his reign, King Hezekiah reopened the temple doors and called in all the priest and Levites to consecrate themselves and the sanctuary from all defilement. Considering the perfect holiness of God and the depth of idolatry of the previous rule, he knew this was imperative to achieve true land reform.  When the people’s turn came for the sacrifice, only a few priests were found qualified to receive the hundreds of rams and lambs. The other priests weren’t finished yet with the seven-day consecration process. Because of this, the Levites, who were said to be ‘more conscientious in consecrating themselves than the priests had been’ were instead tapped to help with the offerings. The chapter closed with the people rejoicing at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly.

So why were the other priests late in complying with the consecration order?  Were they doubtful of the reformation? Were they too secure in their positions, even too proud to be told again of their job descriptions? What amazes me is that regardless of the great need for extra hands, Hezekiah or whoever was in charge, made a stand that only those qualified by God’s standards can take the job. Seniority discredited. Skills not mentioned. And as if to further prove a point, God allowed the second-in-line Levites to help out. No one is most indispensable in the Lord’s service. His purposes will be not delayed because we’re disobedient prima donnas. What are we waiting for?