In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush. Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty. Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males. Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males. Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males. And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males. Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males. And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males”, and in chapter eight and verse eleven of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai” where we read,
And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
The verse reads, “And of the sons of Bebai;” Ezra began with the words, “and of the sons” which means “and from the male offspring, progeny and family” “of Bebai” or “belonging to Bebai whose name means “my cavities””. Ezra included the offspring of “Babai” in the list of the “chief men” who went back to Jerusalem with him.
The verse continues, “Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.” Ezra added the word, “Zechariah” which means “Jehovah remembers” “the son of Bebai” or “the male offspring, progeny and family belonging to Bebai whose name means my cavities”, “and with him twenty and eight males” which means “and alongside and accompanying him were twenty eight male human beings”. Ezra mentioned another “Zechariah” who was among the “chief men” that was accompanied by twenty-eight male human beings who returned to “Jerusalem” with him.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra that the male offspring of “Bebai”, another “Zechariah” and twenty-eight other males were among the “chief men” who returned to “Jerusalem” with him. Although these names may seem tedious and redundant at times, they are in no way insignificant to God. God was equipping the people of Israel with leadership in worship and honor toward Him that would benefit their own lives, and“the sons of Bebai” and this “Zechariah” were among them. God loves people, and He knows when He is first in their lives through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, their lives are better. (See Matthew 6:33) When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and call us by name to work in His Kingdom according to His Divine purpose and will.
Next time Ezra shares about, “the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment