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 Nethinims: the children of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah and Besai ...”,and in chapter two and verse fifty of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of Asnah, Mehunim and Nephusim” where we read,
The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
The verse reads, “The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Asnah” which means “belonging to Asnah whose name means I shall be hated or she has stored up and was a temple slave who returned with Zerubbabel”, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Mehunim” which means “belonging to Mehunim whose name means habitations and was a group of returning exiles”. Ezra shared about the offspring of “Asnah and Mehunim” who were with the “Nethinims” who returned to Jerusalem after being exiled in Babylon for seventy years.
The verse continues, “... the children of Nephusim, ...” Ezra added the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Nephusim” which means “belonging to Nephusim whose name means scattered spices and was head of a family of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel”. Ezra accounted for the offspring of “Nehusim” who was also among the “Nethinims” that went back to Jerusalem.
When we meditate upon Ezra's words in this verse, we discover three more families who were with the “Nethinims” that returned to Jerusalem in obedience to Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. The offspring of “Asnah, Mehunim and Nephusim” followed the others to Jerusalem to be a part of servicing the temple of Almighty God. They, in effect, were marching toward their Godly purpose, and God wants everyone to serve in His Kingdom. Sin separates us from a personal relationship with God, and the result or wage of sin is death. (See Romans 6:23) God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross in our place so we can be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and commissioned to serve Him in His Kingdom when we put our faith and trust in Him. God loves us, and when we surrender our lives to Him, we will be “marching” toward Him and His purpose within the world.
Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Bakbuk, Hakupha and Harhur”, 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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