In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be you grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them”, and in chapter eight and verse thirteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers” where we read,
And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people,
the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
The verse reads, “And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and on the second day” which means “and upon the second sunrise to sunset” “were gathered together” or “assembled and collected themselves with one another” “the chief of the fathers” which means “the head, top, summit, chieftain and choicest pertaining to the male progenitors and ancestors” “of all the people” or “belonging to each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings of Israel”. Nehemiah shared how the chieftain progenitors assembled themselves together for the following reason.
The verse goes on to say, “... the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “the priests” or “the spiritual spokesmen and leaders”, “and the Levites” which means “and the descendants and nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “unto Ezra the scribe” or “to Ezra whose name means help and was the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem; co-worker with Nehemiah”, “even to understand the words” which means “indeed to discern, perceive and comprehend the utterances, speeches, declarations and proclamations” “of the law” or “pertaining to the direction, instruction and codes of Jehovah God”. Nehemiah shared how the spiritual leaders and descendants of Levi also came to “Ezra” so they might discern and comprehend Jehovah God's instruction.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the chieftains among the men of Israel, the spiritual leaders and the “Levites” gathered themselves before “Ezra” once again to discern the instruction of God through His “law”. All of these people were interested in what God had to say to them, and they knew “Ezra” would read and explain God's word to them. God wants us to desire His word as well, and when we study the Bible, we will discover that 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 so all who put their faith and trust in Him may be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and allowed to live in Heaven with Him forever. Let all who read these words study the word of God, the Bible, and yield to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Nehemiah shares how, “they found … that the children of Israel should dwell in booths”, 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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