The Children of Barkos, Sisera and Tamah - Nehemiah 7:55

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.” Nehemiah included the children of many of the people of Israel in his census, and he added several of the men such as “the men of the other Nebo, the other Elam” and “the children of Harim, Jericho, Lod, Hadid, Ono and Senaah.” He also counted, “the priests, the Levites, the singers, the porters, the Nethinims” and their offspring”, and in chapter seven and verse fifty-five of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the children of Barkos, Sisera and Tamah”, where we read,

The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,...

The verse reads, “The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the children”which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Barkos” or “belonging to Barkos whose name means the son cut off”, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Sisera” or “belonging to Sisera whose name means battle array”. Nehemiah shared how the offspring belonging to “Barkos and Sisera” were among the “Nethimins” of Israel that he listed. 

The verse goes on to say, “... the children of Tamah, ...” Nehemiah continued with the words, “the children” or “the progeny or offspring” “of Tamah” which means “belonging to Tamah whose name means laughter”. Nehemiah added the progeny belonging to “Tamah” or “laughter” to the “Nethinims” of Israel who returned to Jerusalem to the completion of the barrier wall. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover that Nehemiah included the offspring of “Barkos, Sisera and Tamah” in his census of the servants to the Levites and priests within the temple. God's team of people were not only being gathered together, but they were also recognized. God loves everybody, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire and ability to serve in His Kingdom according to His perfect will and purpose for our lives. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the children of Neziah”, 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".