In the book of Ezra, Ezra, “proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of Ezra, Ezra said, “I separated twelve of the chief of the priests” where we read,
Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests,
Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
The verse reads, “Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, ...” Ezra began with the words, “then I separated twelve” which means “at that time I, Ezra, spread apart, divided and severed twelve” “of the chief” or “pertaining to the princes, rulers, chieftains and officials” “of the priests” which means “belonging to the spiritual spokesmen and leaders”. Ezra shared how he divided out “twelve” of the leading officials among the spiritual leaders.
The verse goes on to say, “... Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,” Ezra continued with the word, “Sherebiah” whose name means “Jehovah has scorched”, “Hashabiah” which means “Jehovah has considered”, “and ten of their brethren with them” or “and ten of their, Sherbiah and Hasabiah's, relatives, kindred and kinship alongside and accompanying them, Sherbiah and Hasabiah”. Ezra shared how “Sherbiah and Hasabiah” along with ten of their kindred were among the “twelve chief of the priests” whom he separated out.
When we meditate upon Ezra's words in this verse, we discover how he thought his next order of business for the temple was to set apart “twelve” leading officials among the “spiritual leaders” among whom were “Sherbiah and Hasabiah”. These men were accompanied by ten of their relatives, and they were all to be used in the reestablishing of the worship of God. God wants everyone to be involved in His Kingdom, and He give various gifts to people so they can function according to His Divine plan. When He provided His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind,“whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”. (See John 3:16) God loves us. He wants to forgive our sins, and when we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and turn to Him, He will forgive us and allow us to live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.
Next time Ezra shares how he, “weighed unto them the silver, and the gold”, 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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