The Children of Gibeon - Nehemiah 7:25

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city. Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this”, and he included “the children of Parosh, Shephatiah, Pahathmoab, Jeshua, Joab, Elam, Zattu, Zaccai, Binnui, Bebai, Azgad, Adoniakam, Bigvai, Adin, Ater of Hezekiah, Hashum, Bezai and Hariph”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the children of Gibeon”, where we read,

The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

The verse reads, “The children of Gibeon, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the children” or “the offspring and progeny” “of Gibeon” which means “belonging to Gibeon whose name means hill city”. Nehemiah shared how the offspring of “Gibeon” were also included in the census he took of the people who returned to Jerusalem and continued their to the completion of the barrier wall. 

The verse goes on to say, “... ninety and five.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “ninety and five” or “ninety five offspring”. Nehemiah said he accounted for “ninety five” progeny belonging to “Gibeon”.

When we meditate upon Nehemiah's words in this verse, we see how he numbered “ninety five” offspring who belonged to “Gibeon” who were among the people of Israel who returned to Jerusalem and remained there to the completing of the barrier wall. God was at work through Nehemiah, and every person was important to Him. The same remains true to this day, and when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Jesus from the grave three days later, and every person who yields to Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and empower them to live as witnesses in the world. (See John 16:33; Acts 1:8)

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the men of Bethlehem and Netophah”, 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".