In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, and offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel”, and in chapter six and verse eighteen of Ezra, Ezra shared how the people of Israel, “set priests in their divisions” where we read,
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses,
for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
The verse reads, “And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and they set the priests” which means “and they, the children of Israel, put, fixed and established the spiritual leaders and spokesmen” “in their divisions” which means “within their, the priests', sections”, “and the Levites” or “and the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were set aside by God for His service” “in their courses” which means “within their, the Levites', classes or divisions”. Ezra shared how the children of Israel established their spiritual leaders, the “priests”, within their sections, and their “Levites” within their specific classes.
The verse continues, “... for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.” Ezra added the words, “for the service of God” which means “on behalf of the work, ritual, worship and administration belonging to the Supreme Deity”, “which is at Jerusalem” or “who exists within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “as it is written”which means “similar and in likeness to the required and decreed inscription” “in the book of Moses” or “within the scroll or roll belonging to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet and lawgiver as well as the leader of the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt”. Ezra shared how the “priests and Levites” were placed in their “sections and classes” to carry out the worship and administration belonging to the Supreme Deity, Jehovah God, who existed within “Jerusalem” in accordance with the inscribed decree within the scroll of “Moses”. (See Numbers 3:6; 8:9-26)
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how the people of Israel established their spiritual leaders within their sections, and the “Levites” within their classes. This practice followed the instructions within the “book of Numbers” which was written by “Moses”, and these spiritual leaders would guide them in their worship of Jehovah God who existed within “Jerusalem”. God was reestablishing His worship team, and the people would follow them as they worshiped Him. God loves people, and He knows when we have Him as the priority of our lives, we live in a more advantageous manner in this world. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit the value of spiritual leaders and their significance for leading us in the worship of Him.
Next time Ezra shares how, “the children of the captivity kept the passover”, 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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