Nehemiah 7:4-63
Can you imagine being carried away into exile, barred from your homeland, and expected to live under another country’s rule? As we’ve journeyed through the book of Nehemiah, we’ve been reminded that this is exactly what happened to the citizens of Jerusalem at the hands of the power-hungry ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, who initiated the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people.
“So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there: These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,” Nehemiah 7:5-6
Open your Bible and read the next 57 verses. Yes, 57. Today’s reading is long and includes an extensive record of names. Maybe you’re like me when you come across these long lists of hard-to-pronounce words, and sometimes just skip ahead a few verses and then skip ahead some more. But I would encourage you, please take the time to read them. These names were real people who were important to God. This was the list of the families who returned from the Babylonian captivity. Roughly 2% of the Jews who were carried away into exile by the Babylonians came back blazing a trail of courage and faithfulness. Oh, by the way, this wasn’t a walk in the park; this was a four-month-long, 900-mile undertaking that would have taken thoughtful planning and protection.
Don’t you love this reminder that God cares about individuals! How beautiful that every name that is listed in Nehemiah 7 had a unique place in God’s plan and history. God's love and attention are focused on each individual, even through life's difficult moments. God created them, and us, with intention and for a specific purpose, not by accident. Everyone has a name and a purpose.
I’m encouraged by God's faithfulness in bringing the people back. God is a promise keeper who faithfully restores and preserves his people.
Can you imagine being carried away into exile, barred from your homeland, and expected to live under another country’s rule? As we’ve journeyed through the book of Nehemiah, we’ve been reminded that this is exactly what happened to the citizens of Jerusalem at the hands of the power-hungry ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, who initiated the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people.
“So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there: These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,” Nehemiah 7:5-6
Open your Bible and read the next 57 verses. Yes, 57. Today’s reading is long and includes an extensive record of names. Maybe you’re like me when you come across these long lists of hard-to-pronounce words, and sometimes just skip ahead a few verses and then skip ahead some more. But I would encourage you, please take the time to read them. These names were real people who were important to God. This was the list of the families who returned from the Babylonian captivity. Roughly 2% of the Jews who were carried away into exile by the Babylonians came back blazing a trail of courage and faithfulness. Oh, by the way, this wasn’t a walk in the park; this was a four-month-long, 900-mile undertaking that would have taken thoughtful planning and protection.
Don’t you love this reminder that God cares about individuals! How beautiful that every name that is listed in Nehemiah 7 had a unique place in God’s plan and history. God's love and attention are focused on each individual, even through life's difficult moments. God created them, and us, with intention and for a specific purpose, not by accident. Everyone has a name and a purpose.
I’m encouraged by God's faithfulness in bringing the people back. God is a promise keeper who faithfully restores and preserves his people.
Posted in Devotional