The Priests and Levites with Zerubbabel - Nehemiah 12:1

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about the groups of the people of Israel and their villages including, “the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, and at Ananthoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin”, and in chapter Twelve and verse one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel” where we read,

Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

The verse reads, “Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua:” Nehemiah began with the words, “now these are the priests” which means “the following exist as the spiritual spokesmen and leaders” “and the Levites” or “and the descendants belonging to Levi who were specially set aside by God for His service” “that went up with Zerubbabel” which means “who ascended and came forth alongside and accompanying Zerubbabel whose name means sown in Babylon” “the son of Shealtiel” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Shealtiel or Salathiel whose name means I have asked of God” “and Jeshua” whose name means “he is saved”. Nehemiah shared how the following are the names of the spiritual leaders and descendants of Levi who went forth with “Zerubbabel” and “Jeshua”.

The verse continues, “Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,” Nehemiah added the word, “Seraiah” whose name means “Jehovah is ruler”, “Jeremiah” or “whom Jehovah has appointed”, “Ezra” whose name means “help” and was “the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem and the co-worker with Nehemiah”. Nehemiah shared how “Seraiah, Jeremiah and Ezra” were among the “priests and Levites” who arose with “Zerubabbel” and “Jeshua”.

When we think through Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover his accounting of the names of the  “priests and Levites” who went forth with “Zerubbabel” and “Jeshua”. God established His people back within their homeland, and the spiritual leadership was important to the function of the temple and worship of God. God wants us to put His Kingdom first (See Matthew 6:33), and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit to become His servants and ministers in this world. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Amariah, Malluch and Hattush,”, 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".