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 and the Akkub, Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda and Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Mehunim, Nephusim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida and Harsha ...”,and in chapter two and verse fifty-three of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of Barkos, Sisera and Thamah”where we read,
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
The verse reads, “The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Barkos” which means “belonging to Barkos whose name means the son cut off and was the head of a family of temple-slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Sisera” which means “belonging to Sisera whose name means battle array and was an ancestor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”. Ezra included the families of “Barkos and Sisera” as those among the “Nethinims” who returned to Jerusalem.
The verse goes on to say, “... the children of Thamah, ...” Ezra continued with the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Thamah” which means “belonging to Thamah whose name means laughter and was a head of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”. Ezra added the offspring of “Thamah” to the group of “Nethinims” who went back to their homeland in Jerusalem.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how God was adding to the number of people who would be involved in serving the Levites and the temple when it was rebuilt in Jerusalem. The progeny of “Barkos, Sisera and Thamah” were among those people, and would be involved in serving the LORD as they served in His sacred worship place. God wants us to be a part of His Kingdom, and because we have sin in our lives that leads unto death, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and use us in His Kingdom to carry out His will and purpose for ourselves and others in the world.
Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Neziah and Hatipha”, 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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