A Man of Understanding - Ezra 8:18

In the book of Ezra, Ezra speaking of the “chief men” who went back to Jerusalem with him said, “I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God”, and in chapter eight and verse eighteen of Ezra, Ezra said, “they brought us a man of understanding” where we read,

And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;

The verse reads, “And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and by the good hand” which means “and through the means of the pleasant, agreeable and excellent power, strength and ability” “of our God upon us” or “belonging to our, Ezra and the chief men's, Supreme Deity on us, Ezra and the chief men” “they brought us” which means “they, the men summoned by Ezra, enumerated, introduced and sent us, Ezra and the chief men” “a man of understanding” or “a male human being within discernment, prudence, insight and discretion”. Ezra shared how the pleasant and excellent power of Jehovah God caused the “Nethinims” to lead a man of great discernment to him and the “chief men”.

The verse goes on to say, “of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;” Ezra continued with the words, “of the sons” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of Mahli” or “belonging to Mahli whose name means sick and was the grandson of Levi”, “the son of Levi” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”, “the son of Israel” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”; “and Sherebiah” whose name means “Jehovah has scorched”, “with his sons” or “alongside and accompanied by his, Sherebiah's, male offspring and progeny” “and his brethren, eighteen” which means “and his, Sherebiah's, relatives, kindred and kinship which were eighteen in number”. Ezra included the male offspring of “Mahli” who was a grandson of “Levi” who was a descendant of “Israel” whose name was “Sherebiah” and his eighteen male offspring and kindred.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra about the name of the person who came to him from the “Nethinims”. God demonstrated His pleasant favor upon Ezra and the other “chief men” because the offspring of “Mahli” whose name was “Sherebiah” along with his offspring and kindred was dispatched to them. Ezra observed the need for servants to work within the day to day tasks within the temple, and the “Nethinims” provided “Sherebiah”and his entourage to be a part of this ministry. God calls people into His service today through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and position us in His Kingdom not only according to the need, but also in roles in which He has gifted us. 

Next time Ezra shares about, “Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah”, 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".