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 Delaiah, Tobiah, Nekoda, and of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood”,and in chapter two and verse sixty-three of Ezra, Ezra shared how the priest were delayed, “till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim” where we read,
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things,
till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
The verse reads, “And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and the Tirshatha” which means “and the governor which was the title used by the Persian governor in Judea” “said unto them” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, “Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai”, “that they should not eat” which means “that they, Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai, were in no way to partake, devour or consume” “of the most holy things” or “pertaining to the separated, sacred and holy portions”. Ezra shared how “Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai” were unable to partake of the sacred and holy portions.
The verse continues, “till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.” Ezra added the words, “till there stood up a priest” or “even until a sacred chief, ruler, leader or principal officer made a stand was present” “with Urim” which means “by the use of the Urim which means lights and were stones kept in a pouch on the high-priest's breastplate, used in determining God's decision in certain questions and issues” “and with Thummin” or “and by the use of Thummin whose name means perfection and were stones provided for the means of achieving a sacred lot”. Ezra said the governor instructed “Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai” not to be allowed to partake of the sacred things until the “lights and perfection” used by the priest were employed.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how the governor declared that the offspring of three families, “Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai” were not to be allowed to partake of the “priestly offerings” until they employed the use of the “Urim and Thummin” or “lights and perfections” which were used to determine the will of Jehovah God. Most scholars say the “Urim and Thummim” were two stones, one white and one black, which were drawn from a bag and whichever stone was pulled determined God will. Whatever it was, belonging to the “priestly” genealogy was important enough that “Habaiah, Kos and Barzillai” were unable to partake of the priestly things until it was used. God has given His plan of salvation in the same manner. Only through belief in the death of His Son Jesus for the sins of all mankind is there forgiveness with Him, and when we receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow us to partake of His “sacred things” forever and ever.
Next time Ezra shares how, “the whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore”, 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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