In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah went back to the city of Jerusalem and began to rebuild the wall. Among many people he employed was, “Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib. And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house. After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner. Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lies out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel”, where we read,
Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lies out.
The verse reads, “Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, ...”Nehemiah began with the words, “moreover the Nethinims” or “in addition the Nethinims who were the temple servants assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary” “dwelt in Ophel” which means “sat, abided and remained within Ophel whose name means hill which was a ridge of hills in Jerusalem and was fortified for defense of the city”, “unto the place” or “to the location” “over against the water gate” which means “across the watercourse, flood and spring opening, entrance and portal” “toward the east” or “in the eastward direction”. Nehemiah shared how the“Nethinims” or servants to the Levites and priests who lived in “Ophel” rebuilt the wall across from the “water gate” in an eastward direction.
The verse goes on to say, “... and the tower that lies out.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and the tower” or “and the elevated stage or pulpit” “that lies out” which means “that goes forth, exits and departs”. Nehemiah said the “Nethinims” continued their work to the projecting elevated stage.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the temple servants or “Nethinims” were involved in rebuilding the barrier wall around Jerusalem. Although they were living within the area of “Ophel”, they came to work on the wall across the “water gate and the elevated stage that projected out from the wall. God was using everyone among the Jewish people who were available to rebuild the protective wall, and when they all came together, the work would be accomplished. God's plan of salvation is like this. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and to be raised from the grave three days later for the sins of the world, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us a place and position among fellow-believers within His Kingdom to accomplish His will on the earth.
Next time Nehemiah says, “the Tekoites repaired”, 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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