In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets. And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “some appointed over the chamber for the treasures” where we read,
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
The verse reads, “And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and at that time” which means “and within that particular season” “were some appointed over the chambers” or “existed a number of men who reckoned, looked after and attended to the rooms and cells” “for the treasures” which means “used for the storehouses of gold, silver and supplies of food and drink”, “for the offerings” or “used for the contributions of grain, money, gifts and oblations”, “for the firstfruits” which means “best, chief and choice parts of produce” “and for the tithes” or “and on behalf of the payment of the tenth parts”. Nehemiah shared how there were a number of men who were chosen to serve as overseers to the rooms where gold, silver, food and drink were kept, and to be in charge of the rooms which held the best of the grain, money and gifts as well as the tenth part of the monies that were given to the ministry.
The verse continues, “... to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites:” Nehemiah added the words, “to gather into them” or “to collect into the rooms” “out of the fields” which means “from the cultivated plains” “of the cities” or “belonging to the towns, villages and settled abodes” “the portions of the law” which means “the parts belonging to the instructions, directions and codes of law” “for the priests” or “on behalf of the spiritual leaders and spokesmen” “and Levites” which means “and the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set apart by God for His service”. Nehemiah shared how the “appointed” ones who were in charge of the “chambers” or rooms were to collect and receive the gold, silver, firstfruits and tithes” out of the cultivated fields within the towns and villages the parts pertaining to the direction and instructions within God's codes for living on behalf of the spiritual leaders and spokesmen.
Finally the verse says, “for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.” Nehemiah concluded this verse with the words, “for Judah rejoiced” or “because, since and on account that Judah whose name means praised and was thekingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon, was glad, joyful, gleeful and filled with cheer” “for the priests” which means “because, since and on account that the spiritual leaders and spokesmen” “and for the Levites” or “and on behalf of the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set apart by God for His service” “that waited” which means “who stood, remained and took their stand”. Nehemiah ended this verse by sharing how the people in the nation of “Judah”were gleeful because of the spiritual leaders and the descendants of Levi who stood and “waited”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how there were a number of men who were chosen to oversee the storehouses where gold, silver, gifts and the choice of the produce as well as the “tithes” were kept. These items were gathered from the cultivated plains from within the towns and villages and were given in keeping with the “law” of God. They were distributed to the spiritual leaders and “Levites” which caused all of “Judah” to be gleeful and filled with cheer on behalf of the spiritual leaders and “Levites” who were ministering. God was establishing order in the collection and storing of the gifts and offerings of the people of “Judah”, and because they were to be used in His service, there was a need for people to be in charge of them. God wants to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead three days later. All who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and established in an area of service that will bless Him and the people within His Kingdom.
Next time Nehemiah shares more about, “the singers and the porters”, 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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