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 which included “the children of Barkos, Sisera and Tamah”, and in chapter seven and verse fifty-six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the children of Neziah and Hatipha” where we read,
The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha ...
The verse reads, “The children of Neziah, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Neziah” or “belonging to Neziah whose name means pre-eminent”. Nehemiah shared how the offspring of “Neziah” or “pre-eminent” were included in the census of the “Nethinims” who returned to Jerusalem to the rebuilding of the barrier wall.
The verse continues, “... the children of Hatipha, ...” Nehemiah added the words, “the children” or “the progeny or offspring” “of Hatipha” which means “belonging to Hatipha whose name means seized”. Nehemiah added “Hatipha” or “seized” to the list of the “Nethinims” who would serve the Levites and priests within the temple in Jerusalem.
When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the offspring of “Neziah and Hatipha”were also included in his numbering of the people of Israel who returned to Jerusalem. These offspring would be servants in the sacred worship place of Jehovah God. It took many people to care for the temple and all it's implements, and when the “Nethinims” were mentioned, their value was declared by Jehovah God. God wants everyone to have a personal intimate relationship with Him, and He will help them know their area of service in His Kingdom. The first step is to put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and show us by His Holy Spirit where we are to serve in His Kingdom.
Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the children of Solomon's servants”, 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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