In the book of Ezra, Ezra said of the “chief men” who were returning to Jerusalem with him, “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 in chapter eight and verse seventeen of Ezra, Ezra said, “ I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and I sent them with commandment” which means “and I, Ezra, dispatched and assigned them, the chief men, accompanied by an order, charge, appointment and commission” “unto Iddo” or “to Iddo whose name means I will praise him”, “the chief” which means “the head, tip top and summit man”, “at the place Casiphi” or “located in Casiphi whose name means silvery and was a location in Babylonia on the road between Babylon and Jerusalem”. Ezra shared how he dispatched the “chief men” accompanied by a charge to “Iddo” who was the head man in the location of “Casiphia”.
The verse continues, “and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, ...” Ezra added the words, “and I told them” which means “and I, Ezra, ordained, directed and appointed them, the chief men” “what they should say” or “that which they, the chief men, were to utter, proclaim and declare” “unto Iddo” which means “to Iddo whose name means I will praise him”, “and to his brethren” or “and to his, Iddo's, relatives, kinship and kindred” “the Nethinims” which refers to “the temple slaves assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”. Ezra shared how he directed what the “chief men” were to declare to “Iddo” and to his kindred known as the “Nethinims”.
Finally the verse says, “... that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “that they should bring unto us ministers” or “that they, the Nethinims, were to attain, lead and carry forth to us, Ezra and the other chief men, waiters or servants” “for the house” which means “on behalf of the habitation, abode and dwelling place” “of our God” or “belonging to our, Ezra and the chief men's, Supreme Deity”. Ezra ended this verse by sharing how “Iddo” was to lead and dispatch servants for the dwelling place of the Supreme Deity Jehovah God.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how he desired “servants” for the dwelling place of Jehovah God to be dispatched by “Iddo” and “the Nethinims”. These men were to care for the “menial” tasks within the place of worship, however, they were important to it's operation. God uses people in various capacities in His Kingdom, and because He wants everyone to be involved, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and call us according to His Divine purpose and will which will only require our faithfulness in whatever task He assigns. (See Luke 16:10-12)
Next time Ezra says, “they brought us a man of understanding”, 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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