In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about the “chief men” who were to accompany him back to Jerusalem, and he 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 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; And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the Nethinims” where we read,
Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
The verse reads, “Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, ...”Ezra began with the words, “also of the Nethinims” which means “even so and indeed belonging to the Nethinims who were the temple slaves assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”, “whom David” or “that David whose name means blessed and was youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel” “and the princes” which means “and the rulers, leaders, officials” “had appointed” or “set, put, ascribed, consecrated and dedicated” “for the service of the Levites” which means “on behalf of the labor and work of any kind belonging to the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”. Ezra mentioned the “Nethinims” who were originally put in place by “David and the officials” on behalf of the descendants of “Levi” who were commissioned to care for the smaller tasks in the temple.
The verse goes on to say, “... two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.” Ezra continued with the words, “two hundred and twenty Nethinims” which means “there were two hundred and twenty Levitical servants”: “all of them” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of them, the Nethinims” “were expressed by name”which means “were appointed, designated and specified through the means of their names”. Ezra shared how “two hundred and twenty Nethinims” or servants to the Levi's in the temple were “all” specified and designated through the means of their names.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra more about the “Nethinims” who were sent to Ezra when he did not observe any Levitical helpers among the “chief men” who returned to Jerusalem with him. Servants were necessary within the temple of God, and the “Nethinims” who were originally put in place by King David were the ones to serve. God wants us to be a part of His Kingdom, and access to Him is gained by believing and trusting in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us a place in His Kingdom to work and serve Him according to His perfect will and plan for our lives. (See Colossians 3:23)
Next time Ezra says, “then I proclaimed a fast there”, 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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