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 children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and the children of Hodevah seventy and four” and “the singers, the porters” and “the Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth, Keros, Sia and Padon ...”, and in chapter seven and verse forty-eight of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the children of Lebana, Hagaba and Shalmai”, where we read,
The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,
The verse reads, “The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the children”which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Lebana” or “belonging to Lebana whose name means moon-white”, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Hagaba” or “belonging to Hagaba whose name means locust”. Nehemiah shared how the offspring of “Lebana and Hagaba” were among the people of Israel he counted that served as “porters” in the temple of Jehovah God in Jerusalem.
The verse continues, “... the children of Shalmai, ...” Nehemiah added the words, “the children” or “the progeny or offspring” “of Shalmai” which means “belonging to Shalmai whose name means my thanks”. Nehemiah added the progeny belonging to “Shalmai” to the people of Israel who went back to Jerusalem and Judah to the rebuilding of the barrier wall.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the offspring of “Lebana, Hagaba and Shalmai” were included in his census of the people of Israel who returned to Jerusalem and Judah to the finishing of the barrier wall. God was calling his people together to be set free from the captivity of Babylon and to rebuild their temple and homes in their homeland, and because they obeyed him, they were enumerated by Nehemiah. God wants all people to be in His Kingdom, however, sin separates everyone from a personal relationship with Him. This is why God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead three days later, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and count us with Him in Heaven forever.
Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the children of Hanan, Giddel and Gahar”, 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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