June 30, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Nehemiah? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 11 (NIV)
The New Residents of Jerusalem
1 Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. 2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem..…..Continue Reading
Chapters like these at first glance make me think this is just a list of names and what do I gleam from a chapter like this. But when I stop to think about the fact that the words of the Bible are God’s and so nothing is in there by chance or as a filler. So why would God have chapters like these? God is to showing intentionality and care in everything He does. Lineage is important, order is important, taking stock in where you have come from and where you are going is important. These chapters have become for me a reminder that God’s plan encompasses every aspect of my life and I should take no small detail for granted, no opportunity to share His words or love for granted, and I should be intentional in everything I do.
Reading completed.
Well written Kelly I totally agree with your statement. I find it hard to read all these names never mind the enunciation. That is unless you recognize the name. To make sure that Jerusalem had enough people they cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell there. The rest lived in villages outside of Jerusalem. God is a God of order not disorder or confusion. May God grant us perfect peace and clear minds as we draw closer to Him.
Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 10
How important these list were as things were being reestablished in inhabiting and performing the requisite functions in the capital city of Jerusalem. It appeared that this was more of a sacrifice as opposed to a privilege, but I can’t help but think of the difference between those who like to live in the city and those who like to live in the country. It could also remind us of the honor found in sacrificing for others and for the things God cares about. This type of sacrifice should mark the life of every believer when we set our own needs and desires aside for the greater cause or the united effort found in accomplishing things for God’s kingdom.
Nehemiah 11
It is interesting that living in Jerusalem was considered a sacrifice. The suggestions in your comments make sense, there may be more turmoil and responsibility to live in a city.
Neh 11 I too get a bit overwhelmed when a long list of lineage is presented in Scripture, while also knowing that if it’s in there, it must be important. The other story building is enormous amount of energy and sacrifice it takes to re establish a city, town, and community.
I’ve often found it interesting when “Casting Lots” was the means for making decisions and selections. What little I know of it is that it was similar to flipping a coin, tossing dice, paper/rock/scissors/, shooting fingers or drawing sticks or straws as a form of making decisions, but more specifically, it is often distinguished as an instruction from God as a means of making Godly decisions for a Godly outcome. As in Nehemiah 10:34 to decided which family would bring wood to the altar and when, …or in Acts 1:21-26 when the disciples petitioned God through prayer to help them decide who should replace Judas.
It is not the seeking of divination as with fortune tellers, tarot card readers of today, or other means where the practice would bring glory to a single individual or for carnal reasonings and outcomes or selfish gain…..as was the case that the soldiers casted lots for the garments of Jesus…..although them doing so, was also a fulfillment of the scriptures. (Psa 22:18, John 19:23,24)
But in this case, they casted lots to see which one out of ten would be selected to re establish the city of Jerusalem which was considered a sacrifice as “The people commended all who “volunteered” (through the casing of lots) to live in Jerusalem”.