Category Archives: Uncategorized

3When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent. We have a tendency to push to extremes. The Law said that only two groups of people were to be excluded from the assembly of God, but the people rejected all foreigners, even those with a legitimate place underContinue reading “19Aug 2011 Nehemiah 13:3”

24And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. This is surround sound at its finest! Have you ever been to a theater and hadContinue reading “18Aug 2011 Nehemiah 12:24”

2The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. In order to provide for the protection of Jerusalem, people had to volunteer to move from their home towns and relocate in Jerusalem. This sounds like what our military do. They volunteer to move to a different location and live there to protectContinue reading “17Aug 2011 Nehemiah 11:2”

35We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. These are words that are not spoken too often: “We assume responsibility.” We live in a ‘point the finger at someone else’ world. About the only time someone steps up andContinue reading “16Aug 2011 Nehemiah 10:35”

38“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” Sometimes you just have to put it in writing and make it official. This verse ends a chapter that records the prayer confession of the LevitesContinue reading “15Aug 2011 Nehemiah 9:38”

11The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.” This chapter recalls the reaction of the people of God as they heard the Law read and understood its implications to their lives after not hearing the Law for many years. As they understood the Law, theyContinue reading “14Aug 2011 Nehemiah 8:11”

2I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do. What a great job recommendation! Integrity and godly fear, a winning combination. The first quality, integrity, has to do with proven character demonstratedContinue reading “13Aug 2011 Nehemiah 7:2”

19Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me. Written letters can be a very powerful tool for good or for evil. Nehemiah is working hard with God’s help to finish the wall around Jerusalem. It has been in disrepair, unableContinue reading “12Aug 2011 Nehemiah 6:19”

15But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Just because our predecessor did something, does not meanContinue reading “11Aug 2011 Nehemiah 5:15”