Nehemiah 11 & 12: Thanksgivings
Verse of the Day: (12:27) And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
1. Ten (11:1-36)
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. (11:1)
Everyone sought to stay in Jerusalem because it was God’s holy city. As a result, Jerusalem was overcrowded, and the rulers prepared lots for Israel such that only 1 out of 10 shall be able to stay in Jerusalem while the rest had to move out to other cities. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for saving our souls from hell to heaven just like the 1 out of the 10 lepers who gave thanks to Jesus for healing him while the rest did not. (Luke 17:11-19)
2. Thanksgivings (12:1-43)
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. (12:43)
God’s Word never fails to record the names of Israel because Jesus shall come forth from them. This is why time and again, God protects and preserves Israel until today, because Jesus came more than 2,000 years ago, and lived, ministered, died and shed His blood on the cross for the sins of the whole world. In fact, Jesus is coming again, the 2nd time, during the Rapture, to draw His Christians and the dead in Christ to be with Him in glorious heaven forever. Then after the 7 years Tribulation, Jesus shall come again, and this time, He shall rule Israel as His kingdom for 1,000 years. (Revelation 19-22) This was why Nehemiah sought the Levites to dedicate the walls with thanksgivings to God, because they knew that it was He who helped them amid discouragement and distress, and at the same time, He also revived their spiritual lives. Indeed, let us trust and obey God with joy and thanksgivings, as He is worthy of all our praise. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
3. Treasures (12:44-47)
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. (12:44)
Judah rejoiced for the services of the priests and Levites, because Jesus, the Son of God, shall come from their tribe. Indeed, the greatest treasure is God, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us, once we believe in and receive Jesus as our personal Saviour. (2 Corinthians 4:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for everything especially saving my wretched soul and life.
