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 “Zattu, Zaccai, Bebai, Azgad, Adonikam, Adin, Ater of Hezekiah, Bezai, Jorah, Hashum and Gibbar”,and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of Bethlehem” where we read,
The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.
The verse reads, “The children of Bethlehem ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the progeny and offspring” “of Bethlehem” or “belonging to Bethlehem whose name means house of bread and is a city in Judah and the birthplace of King David”. Ezra mentioned the offspring of “Bethlehem” who went back to their homeland in Jerusalem.
The verse goes on to say, “... an hundred twenty and three.” Ezra continued with the words, “an hundred twenty and three” or “one hundred and twenty three offspring of the family of Bethlehem were among the people who returned to Jerusalem”. Ezra accounted for the “one hundred and twenty-three people who were the descendants of “Bethlehem” that returned to “Jerusalem” in Judah.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how the offspring of “Bethlehem” also returned to Jerusalem. We can imagine this one hundred and twenty-three people as they made their decision to take the trek back to their homeland, and because they were obedient to the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia, they were actually in compliance with God. God has His way of salvation for man which is through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world. (See John 14:6) When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us opportunities to follow and obey His perfect will for our lives in His Kingdom.
Next time Ezra shares about, “the men of Netophah”, 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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