Treasurers Over the Treasuries - Nehemiah 13:13

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “I made treasurers over the treasuries” where we read,

And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

The verse reads, “And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah:” Nehemiah began with the words, “and I made treasurers” which means “and I, Nehemiah, established keepers and overseers” “over the treasuries” or “above the storehouses”, “Shelemiah the priest” which means “Shelemiah whose name means repaid by Jehovah who was a spiritual leader and speaker”, “and Zadok the scribe” or “and Zadok whose name means righteous who was the recounter or recorder”, “and of the Levites” which means “and belonging to the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”,“Pedaiah” or “Jehovah has ransomed”. Nehemiah said he established “Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe and Pedaiah” who was a “Levite” as overseers to the storehouses and their contents. 

The verse continues, “and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.” Nehemiah added the words, “and next to them” or “and beside them, “Shelemiah, Zadok and Pediah” “was Hanan” which means “existed Hanan or Canan whose name means he is merciful” “the son of Zaccur” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Zaccur or Zacchur whose name means mindful”, “the son of Mattaniah” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Mattaniah whose name means gift of Jehovah”: “for they were counted faithful” or “because, since and on account that they, Hanan and the others were thought, esteemed and reckoned as supportive, confirmed, upheld and made firm”, “and their office” which means “and their, “Shelemiah, Zadok, Pediah and Hanan's” duty and responsibility” “was to distribute” or “existed to divide, share, apportion and assign” “unto their brethren” which means “to their fellow kinsmen, kindred and relatives”. Nehemiah shared how “Hanan” accompanied “Shelemiah, Zadok and Pediah”, and all of them were reckoned as supportive and confirmed to carry out the duty of of apportioning and dividing items within the storehouses to their fellow kinsmen. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Nehemiah assigned men to be overseers to the treasure houses.“Shelemiah, Zadok, Pediah and Hanan” were confirmed and supportive, and their responsibility was to divide the items within the storehouses to their fellow kinsmen. Once again order was established over the things of God, and reliable people were chosen to manage them. God's desire is for us to serve in His Kingdom, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to be faithful and trustworthy in whatever position in His Kingdom that blesses Him and others. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “remember me, O my God, concerning this”, 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".