Of Bilgah, Shammua - Nehemiah 12:18

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah, of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan, of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph, of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai, of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam, of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai”, and in chapter twelve and verse eighteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “of Bilgah, Shammua” where we read,

Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

The verse reads, “Of Bilgah, Shammua;” Nehemiah began with the words, “Of Bilgah” whose name means “belonging to Bilgah whose name means cheerfulness”, “Shammua” or “renowned”. Nehemiah shared how “Shammua” or “renowned” was among the priests who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. 

The verse continues, “of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;” Nehemiah added words, “of Shemaiah” or “belonging to Shemaiah whose name means heard by Jehovah”, “Jehonathan” or Jonathan whose name means “Jehovah has given”. Nehemiah said “Jehonathan” who descended from “Shemaiah” was with the priests who went back to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about another two men who were priest that returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. “Shammua and Jehonathan” who descended from “Bilgah and Shemaiah”followed God's commission to go back to their homeland of Judah where they would be involved in reestablishing the worship of Him. God invites everyone to be a part of His Kingdom, (See Matthew 6:33) and acceptance is gained by anyone who submits their life to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave three days later. When we obey His way of salvation, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Spirit within us to lead and guide us wherever we go and how we serve Him in His Kingdom. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “of Joiarib, Mattenai”, 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".