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 and Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Mehunim, Nephusim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Thamah, Neziah and Hatipha ...”,and in chapter two and verse fifty-five of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of Solomon's servants” where we read,
The children of Solomon's servants:
the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
The verse reads, “The children of Solomon's servants:” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Solomon's servants” which means “belonging to the subjects, slaves and bondmen belonging to Solomon whose name means peace and was the son of David by Bathsheba and third king of Israel and the author of Proverbs and Song of Songs”. Ezra began to share about the offspring of “Solomon's” bondmen who traveled back to Jerusalem after being exiled in Babylon for seventy years.
The verse continues, “the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda, ...” Ezra added the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Sotai” which means “belonging to Sotai whose name means changeful and was an ancestor of a family of Solomon's servants who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”, “the children of Sophereth” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Sophereth whose name means writing and was an ancestor of a family of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel”, “the children of Peruda” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Peruda or Perida whose name means grain or kernel and was an ancestor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”. Ezra accounted for the offspring of “Sotai, Sopherth and Peruda” who were the offspring of the “servants of Solomon” and went back to Jerusalem.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra that there were offspring of the “bondmen” of “Solomon” who also went back to Jerusalem at the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. “Sotai, Sophereth and Peruda” were the ancestors of these families, and they were to be a part of the service and worship in the temple when it was rebuilt. God loves people of all stations and positions in life, and He will use the gifts that He puts within people to build His Kingdom when they yield ourselves to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. When we receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us according to His perfect will and plan to carry out His work in the world for saving people and building their lives.
Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Jaalah, Darkon and Giddel”, 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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