The Chief of the Levites - Nehemiah 12:24

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared more about, “the chief of the Levites” where we read,

And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

The verse reads, “And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and the chief” which means “and the head, top, summit and chieftain” “of the Levites” or “belonging to the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”: “Hashabiah” which means “Jehovah has considered”, “Sherebiah” or “Jehovah has scorched”, “and Jeshua” whose name means “he is saved” “the son of Kadmiel” or “the male offspring belonging to Kadmiel whose name means God is the ancient one” “with their brethren” which means “alongside and accompanying their, Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua's, fellow kinsmen, kindred and relatives” “over against them” or “straight, in front and within the sight of them, Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua”. Nehemiah shared how the heads of the “Levites”, “Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua” as well as their fellow kinsmen were to do the following. 

The verse continues, “... to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.” Nehemiah added the words, “to praise” or “to boast, flash forth light, commend and give glory” “and to give thanks” whose name means “and to laud, confess and declare thanksgiving”, “according to the commandment” or “in keeping with the law, ordinance and precept” “of David” which means “belonging to David whose name means blessed and was the son of Jesse and the second king of Israel” “the man of God” or “the male human being belonging to the Supreme Deity”, “ward over against ward” which means “the guard, watchers and observers alternating in groups”. Nehemiah said the “Levites” were to give glory and thanksgiving to Jehovah God in keeping with the ordinance of “David” and alternating between groups. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how there were “Levites” established who were overseers to the other “Levites”, and they and their fellow kinsmen were to offer glory and thanksgiving to Jehovah God in keeping with the ways of “David” who assembled groups of “Levites” that would work and serve. Once again organization was established by Jehovah God. God wants us to be a part of His orderly Kingdom as well, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later, He forgives our sins, grants us everlasting life and puts His Holy Spirit within us so we can serve Him in “praise and thanksgiving” all the days of our lives. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Mattaniah, and Babukiah” and more, 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".