In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, Sophereth, Peruda, Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth of Zebaim and Ami”,and in chapter two and verse fifty-eight of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “all the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants” where we read,
All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
The verse reads, “All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, ...” Ezra began with the words, “all the Nethinims” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the Nethinims who were the temple slaves assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”, “and the children” which means “and the offspring and progeny” “of Solomon's servants” or “belonging to the bondmen of Solomon whose name means peace and was the son of David by Bathsheba and third king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs”. Ezra referred to the total amount of the temple servants as well as the offspring of the bondmen of “Solomon”.
The verse goes on to say, “... were three hundred ninety and two.” Ezra continued with the words, “were three hundred and ninety and two” or “there were three hundred and ninety two of the Nethinims and offspring of Solomon's bondmen who returned to Jerusalem”. Ezra said “three hundred and ninety two” people were among the “Nethinims and servants of Solomon” who returned to their homeland.
When we meditate upon Ezra's words in this verse, we see how he accounted for more of the people who returned to Jerusalem at the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. God brought back workers for the temple when it would be rebuilt, and He continues to use people in this manner today. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and granted everlasting life when we receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”. God loves us, His temple and the church, and He will equip it and us with the ability and ambition to continue His mission to save every person possible for all eternity.
Next time Ezra shares about, “they which went up from Telmelah”, 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".
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