Maaseiah the Son of Baruch - Nehemiah 11:5

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez”, and in chapter eleven and verse five of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “Maaseiah the son of Baruch”  and more where we read,

And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, 

the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

The verse reads, “And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, ...”Nehemiah began with the words, “and Maaseiah” which means “and Maaseiah whose name means work of Jehovah” “the son of Baruch” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Baruch whose name means blessed”, “the son of Colhozeh” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Colhozeh whose name means all-seeing”, “the son of Hazaiah” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Hazaiah whose name means God has seen”, “the son of Adaiah”which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Adaiah whose name means Jehovah has adorned himself”. Nehemiah shared how “Masseiah” whose name means work of Jehovah, who descended from blessed, all-seeing, God has seen and Jehovah has adorned himself were among those who lived within Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “... the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “the son of Joiarib” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Joiarib whose name means Jehovah contends”, “the son of Zechariah” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Zechariah whose name means Jehovah remembers”, “the son of of Shiloni” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Shiloni or Shiloh whose name means peace bringer”. Nehemiah said “Jehovah contends, Jehovah remembers and peace bringer” were also among those who inhabited Jerusalem. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about some of the people who remained living in Jerusalem. All of these people and their ancestors had names that related to Jehovah God, and because each of them were important to God, Nehemiah listed them. God knows our names as well, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make us to be significant in His Kingdom. 

Next time Nehemiah shares the number of, “all the sons of Perez”, 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".

Certain of the Children of Judah - Nehemiah 11:4

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants”, and in chapter eleven and verse four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah” where we read,

And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;

The verse reads, “And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin.” Nehemiah began with the words, “and at Jerusalem” which means “and within the city of Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “dwelt certain of the children of Judah” or “lived, abode and inhabited a particular number of the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and of the children of Benjamin” which means “and belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Benjamin whose name means son of the right hand and was the tribe of people who descended from Benjamin”. Nehemiah shared about the offspring of both “Judah and Benjamin” lived within the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse continues, “Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;” Nehemiah added the words, “of the children of Judah” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”; “Athaiah” whose name means “Jehovah has helped” “the son of Uzziah” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Uzziah whose name means my strength is Jehovah”, “the son of Zechariah” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Zechariah whose name means Jehovah remembers”, “the son of Amariah” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Amariah whose name means Jehovah speaks or Yah(u) has promised”, “the son of Shephatiah” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Shephatiah whose name means Jehovah has helped”,“the son of Mahalaleel” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Mahalaleel whose name means praised of God”, “of the children of Perez” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Perez or Pharez whose name means breach”. Nehemiah shared how the male offspring within Judah whose names are “Athaiah, who was Uzziah son, who was Zechariah's son, who was Amariah's son, who was Shephatiah's son, who was Mahalaleel's son who was Perez's son lived within the city of Jerusalem.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that members of the family of Judah dwelt within Jerusalem, and the above names represented a small portion of the people of Israel who lived there. God invites all of us to live with Him in Heaven forever, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the grave three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a willingness to follow His Holy Spirit wherever He leads and in whatever place He desires for us to go.

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Maaseiah the son of Baruch” and more, 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".

The Chief of the Province - Nehemiah 11:3

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said about Israel, “the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem” where we read,

Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.

The verse reads, “Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem:” Nehemiah began with the words, “now these are the chief” which means “the following exist as the top, head, choice and best” “of the province” or “belonging to the district or region” “that dwelt in Jerusalem” which means “who lived, abode and inhabited Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Nehemiah shared how the following were the best and top men within the region of Israel who lived in the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.” Nehemiah continued with the words,“but in the cities of Judah” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover within the places of waking, towns and villages belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “dwelt every one in his possession in their cities” which means “lived, abided and inhabited each, the whole and all of the people within their property and land by inheritance”, “to wit” or “that is”, “Israel” whose name means “God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “the priests” or “the spiritual spokesmen and leaders”, “and the Levites” which means “and the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”, “and the Nethinims” or “and the temple servants or slaves who were assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”, “and the children of Solomon's servants” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to the slaves, bondmen and men of servile condition belonging to Solomon whose name means peace and was son of David by Bathsheba and third king of Israel”. Nehemiah shared how the “priests, Levites, Nethinims and bondmen who were descendants of Solomon” lived within the various towns of Judah.

When we meditate upon Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover how the “heads” of the officials came to live in Jerusalem, however, “the priests, Levites, Nethinims and bondmen who were descendants of Solomon” inhabited their own towns and villages. Order was set in all of Israel, and because God desired to have a personal relationship with them, He orchestrated all these events through Nehemiah and His leading officials. God desires to have an intimate relationship with us as well, and for this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when God raised Him from the dead three days later, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and stationed where He desires to use us for all eternity. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah”, 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".

People Blessing All the Men - Nehemiah 11:2

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities”, and in chapter eleven and verse two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “the people blessed all the men” where we read,

And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

The verse reads, “And the people blessed all the men, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and the people” which means “and the human beings of Israel” “blessed all the men” or “praised, saluted and congratulated each, every, the whole and everyone of the male human beings of Israel” who did the following. Nehemiah shared how the people of Israel praised every one of the “men” who took the following action.

The verse goes on to say, “... that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “that willingly offered themselves” or “who volunteered their own selves” “to dwell at Jerusalem” which means “to live, abide and inhabit Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Nehemiah shared how the people of Israel praised the men who volunteered to live within the city of “Jerusalem”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that there were people among the Israelites who volunteered to live within the city of “Jerusalem”. This caused the others to praise them for their willingness to live there. God wants us to choose to be in His Kingdom through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave three days later. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a “willingness” to go where He wants us to go and to do what He wants us to do. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem”, 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".

Rulers Dwelling at Jerusalem - Nehemiah 11:1

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God”, and in chapter eleven and verse one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem” where we read,

And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem:

the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem

the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

The verse reads, “And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem:” Nehemiah began with the words, “and the rulers”which means “and the princes, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials” “of the people” or “belonging to the human beings of Israel” “dwelt at Jerusalem” which means “remained, abode and inhabited Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Nehemiah shared how the leaders of the “people” of Israel lived within the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse continues, “the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem” Nehemiah added the words, “the rest of the people” or “the remainder and remnant pertaining to the human beings belonging to Israel” “also cast lots” which means “even so and indeed let drop threw and flung pebbles used for systematically making decisions”, “to bring one of ten” or “to carry and lead one person out of a group of ten” “to dwell in Jerusalem” which means “to live, abide and inhabit Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “the holy city” or “the sacred, set apart and separated encampment or town”. Nehemiah said the remainder of the people of Israel threw pebbles for making decisions to choose one out of ten people of Israel who were to live within the city of “Jerusalem”.

Finally the verse says, “... and nine parts to dwell in other cities.” Nehemiah concluded the verse with the words, “and nine parts” which means “and nine other portions or people of Israel were” “to dwell in other cities” or “to live and abide within the other dwelling places, villages and towns of Israel”. Nehemiah ended this verse by sharing how nine out of ten of the people of Israel were to live within the other cities, villages and towns of Israel. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the people of Israel threw pebbles for making decisions to determine who would live within Jerusalem and who would inhabit the other cities of Israel. One out of ten Israelites were to abide within the capital city of Jerusalem, and the others would inhabit the other cities. Once again order was established, and God's people were living according to His way. God wants us to obey Him in every area of our lives, and because we often do not and thereby sin, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead three days later. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth including where we are to live and what we are to do there. 

Next time Nehemiah share how “the people blessed all the men”, 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".

Bringing the Offering - Nehemiah 10:39

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah told the people of Israel, “we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-nine of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about those who, “shall bring the offering” where we read,

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

The verse reads, “For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “for the children of Israel” which means “because, since and on account that the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and nation of descendants of Jacob” “and the children of Levi” or “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Levi whose name means joined to” “shall bring the offering” which means “will carry forth and lead the sacrificial giving” “of the corn” or “pertaining to the grain or meal”, “of the new wine” which means “pertaining to the fresh fruit of the vine”, “and the oil” or “and the fresh, shining and pure anointing oil”. Nehemiah shared how the offspring of “Israel” and “Levi” were to carry forth the sacrifices containing “grain, fresh fruit of the vine and the anointed oil. (See Deuteronomy 12:6-11,17; 14:23)

The verse goes on to say, “... unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “unto the chambers” or “to the rooms, halls or cells”, “where are the vessels” which means “in which place exist the articles, implements and utensils”, “and the priests that minister” or “and the spiritual leaders and spokesmen who serve, “and the porters” which means “and the gatekeepers or doorkeepers” “and the singers” or “and the people who make music with their voices”: “and we will not forsake” which means “and we, the people of Israel, shall in no way or manner leave, depart from or abandon” “the house of our God” or “the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to our, the people of Israel's, Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah shared how the sacrificial “offerings” of the people of Israel were to be stored within the halls or rooms wherein the implements and articles belonging to the sacred worship place where the spiritual leaders, the “singing” people and the gatekeepers serve, and that they were to never in any way leave and put aside the dwelling place belonging to Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Nehemiah more of the order that was set in place to use the sacrificial offerings of the people of Israel. The meal or grain, the fresh fruit of the vine and the anointing oil were all to be given to the spiritual leaders within God's dwelling place where they would be kept in a room where the “priests, porters and singers” were location, and they promised to never leave Jehovah God the Supreme Deity or His sacred dwelling place again. God desires commitment from people because He is committed to us. God loves us so dearly that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He raised Him from the dead three days later so all who put their faith and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and shown how to live according to His Holy Spirit and the ability and power He supplies. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8) 

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Nehemiah share how “the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem”, 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".