The Word for Today with Ray: 2025

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Iddo, Ginnetho and Abijah - Nehemiah 12:4

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum and Meremoth...”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Iddo, Ginnetho and Abijah” where we read,

Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah

The verse reads, “Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah” Nehemiah began with the word, “Iddo” whose name means “His witness”, “Ginnetho” or “gardener”, “Abijah” or Abia or Abiah whose name means “Jehovah is my father”. Nehemiah shared how “Iddo, Ginnetho and Abijah” were among the “priests and Levites” whom he named.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Nehemiah accounted for the “priests and Levites” whose names mean, “His witness, gardener and Jehovah is my father” who went up with “Zerubbabel” and “Jeshua”. One by one these spiritual leaders were being named, and each of them were important to Nehemiah and to God. God loves people, and He is responsible for the “leaders” who oversee the worship of Him. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead three days later, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and led by His Holy Spirit as we believe and trust in Him. Let all who read these words be aware that God knows their name, and everyone is invited to receive His salvation through Jesus.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Miamin, Maadiah and Bilgah,”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Shechaniah, Rehum and Meremoth - Nehemiah 12:3

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch and Hattush, ...”, and in chapter twelve and verse three of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Shechaniah, Rehum and Meremoth” where we read,

Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth

The verse reads, “Shechaniah, Rehum and Meremoth” Nehemiah began with the word, “Shechaniah” or Shecaniahwhose name means “dweller with Jehovah”, “Rehum” or “compassion”, “Meremoth” whose name means “elevations”. Nehemiah shared how the men whose names means, “dweller with Jehovah, compassion and elevations” were among “the priests and Levites” who “went up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about another three men who were named among the “priests and Levites” who went forth with “Zerubbabel and Jeshua”. Each of these men were noted by him and Jehovah God, and because God loves everyone, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was resurrected from the dead three days later so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of following Him and His ways all the days of our lives.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Iddo, Ginnetho and Abijah,”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Amariah, Malluch and Hattush - Nehemiah 12:2

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah and Ezra”, and in chapter twelve and verse two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Amariah, Malluch and Hattush” where we read,

Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

The verse reads, “Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,” Nehemiah began with the word, “Amariah” whose name means “Jehovah speaks or Yah (u) has promised”, “Malluch” or Melicu whose name means “counselor”, “Hattush” whose name means “assembled”. Nehemiah shared how “Amariah, Malluch and Hattush” were among the “priests and Levites that went up with Zerubbabel … and Jeshua”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the men whose names mean, “Jehovah has promised, counselor and assembled” were among the accounted for as “priests and Levites”. God knows everyone's position in His Kingdom, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us how to serve Him throughout the world.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Shechaniah, Rehum and Meremoth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Priests and Levites with Zerubbabel - Nehemiah 12:1

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about the groups of the people of Israel and their villages including, “the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, and at Ananthoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin”, and in chapter Twelve and verse one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel” where we read,

Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

The verse reads, “Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua:” Nehemiah began with the words, “now these are the priests” which means “the following exist as the spiritual spokesmen and leaders” “and the Levites” or “and the descendants belonging to Levi who were specially set aside by God for His service” “that went up with Zerubbabel” which means “who ascended and came forth alongside and accompanying Zerubbabel whose name means sown in Babylon” “the son of Shealtiel” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Shealtiel or Salathiel whose name means I have asked of God” “and Jeshua” whose name means “he is saved”. Nehemiah shared how the following are the names of the spiritual leaders and descendants of Levi who went forth with “Zerubbabel” and “Jeshua”.

The verse continues, “Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,” Nehemiah added the word, “Seraiah” whose name means “Jehovah is ruler”, “Jeremiah” or “whom Jehovah has appointed”, “Ezra” whose name means “help” and was “the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem and the co-worker with Nehemiah”. Nehemiah shared how “Seraiah, Jeremiah and Ezra” were among the “priests and Levites” who arose with “Zerubabbel” and “Jeshua”.

When we think through Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover his accounting of the names of the “priests and Levites” who went forth with “Zerubbabel” and “Jeshua”. God established His people back within their homeland, and the spiritual leadership was important to the function of the temple and worship of God. God wants us to put His Kingdom first (See Matthew 6:33), and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit to become His servants and ministers in this world.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Amariah, Malluch and Hattush,”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Levites' Divisions - Nehemiah 11:36

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about the groups of the people of Israel and their villages including, “the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, and at Ananthoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the Levites' divisions” where we read,

And of the Levites were divisions

in Judah, and in Benjamin.

The verse reads, “And of the Levites were divisions ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and of the Levites” which means “and pertaining to the descendants belonging to Levi whose name means joined to and were set aside by God for His service” “were divisions” or “existed courses, classes, allotments and parts”. Nehemiah shared how there were courses and parts of the descendants belonging to Levi.

The verse goes on to say, “... in Judah, and in Benjamin.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “in Judah” which means “within Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”, “and in Benjamin” or “and within Benjamin whose name means son of the right hand and was the tribe that descended from Benjamin who was the son of Judah”. Nehemiah shared how the “Levites” had courses and allotments within the areas of “Judah and Benjamin”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the descendants belonging to Levi had certain courses and allotments within the regions of “Judah and Benjamin”. God knew the areas where He wanted His ministers to live, and the “Levites” were important in the worship of Him. God loves people, and He places ministers who have received His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later in various places throughout the world. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and establish us wherever He deems best for His Kingdom and the people there.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Nehemiah share about, “the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Lod and Ono - Nehemiah 11:35

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about the groups of the people of Israel and their villages including, “the children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, and at Ananthoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat ...”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-five of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Lod and Ono” where we read,

Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

The verse reads, “Lod, and Ono, ...” Nehemiah began with the word, “Lod” which means “travail and was a city approx eleven miles (17 km) southeast of Joppa in the plain of Sharon in the territory of Benjamin”, “and Ono” whose name means “vigorous” and was “a city in Benjamim”. Nehemiah shared how the towns of “Lod and Ono” were among the locations where the people of Judah inhabited.

The verse continues, “... the valley of craftsmen.” Nehemiah added the words, “the valley” which means “the town and settled abode” “of craftsmen” or “belonging to magicians or workers of cunning and magic art”. Nehemiah shared how “Ono” was a place where the people of Judah lived, and the people there did magic and cunning works.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Nehemiah that “Lod and Ono” were also settled towns where the people of Judah lived. God was spreading His people throughout the land of Judah, and He would provide for and protect them in those places. God loves Israel, and He loves us as well. He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He was raised from the dead three days later so all who believe and trust in Him may be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. W hen we surrender our lives completely to Him, God will lead us where He wants us to live like He led the people of Judah.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the Levites' divisions”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat - Nehemiah 11:34

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about the groups of the people of Israel and their villages including, “the children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, and at Ananthoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah and Gittaim ...”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat” where we read,

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat

The verse reads, “Hadid, Zeboim, ...” Nehemiah began with the word, “Hadid” which means “sharp and was a town in Benjamin”, “Zeboim” or “speckled and was city and surrounding valley in Benjamin between Jericho and Jerusalem”. Nehemiah shared how “Hadid and Zeboim” were locations within “Benjamin” wherein the people of Judah lived.

The verse goes on to say, “... Neballat ...” Nehemiah continued with the word, “Neballat” which means “hidden folly and was a town of Benjamin reoccupied after the captivity”. Nehemiah shared how “Neballat” or “hidden folly” was also among the towns in which the people of Judah dwelled.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about another three locations in which the people of Judah were dispersed. God has a place for all of us, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into the places we are to be and empower us to fulfill His desire for us when we arrive.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Lod and Ono”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…