Two Companies Who Gave Thanks - Nehemiah 12:40

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall. And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the two companies of them that gave thanks” where we read,

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God,

and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

The verse reads, “So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “so stood the two companies” which means “in that place endured and remained still the two groups or assemblies” “of them that gave thanks” or “ of the priests and musicians who granted, bestowed and assigned praise and thanksgiving” “in the house of God” whose name means “within the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah referred to the two groups of the priests and men with musical instruments who bestowed praise and thanksgiving within the dwelling place of the Supreme Deity Jehovah. 

The verse continues, “... and I, and the half of the rulers with me:” Nehemiah added the words, “and I” or “and I, Nehemiah”, “and the half of the rulers” which means “and one-half of the leaders, prefects, governors and officials” “with me” or “alongside and accompanying me, Nehemiah”. Nehemiah shared about himself and one-half of the leaders and officials who accompanied him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Nehemiah referred to the two groups of priests, himself and one-half of the officials alongside him. This extensive group of people were to give praise and thanksgiving to God for His provision of the wall. God brought the people of Israel back into their homeland. He gave the ability to rebuild their temple and to reestablish their barrier wall. These acts were worthy of giving honor, praise and thanksgiving to God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead three days later so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth with all glory and honor being unto Him. 

Next time Nehemiah shares more about, “the priests”, 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".