King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Chapters: Nehemiah Chapters 11-13, Psalm 126
Message: An Inheritance Awaits
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters or today I was thinking about the difference between fate and freewill, and how some people live out their lives as though it is all by chance while others live theirs as though they have to prove something to themselves that they are in control of their destinies. There is also a small percentage of people who come to understand that while some things are predetermined, or appointed, that they cannot avoid, they still have the freewill to choose what is predetermined.
[Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]
While God had already predetermined that hell is the punishment for sin before sin entered the earth, He also predetermined that souls would be saved from hell through their faith in His Son. However, freewill is what gives us the choice to choose whether or not we believe that. Let me tell you, God, would save the devil if he would just let go of his pride and come to terms with the fact that he is headed for hell as well. Nevertheless, he chooses to believe that it is a lie, and for that reason he along with anyone else who denies even a fraction of the truth is choosing to send themselves to hell.
[Revelation 21:7-8,27 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.]
Speaking of inheritance, that same choice in choosing Christ as our Saviour, adds our name to that list of people written in the Lamb’s book of life. Every day names are added to that book as they choose to accept Christ as their Saviour, but each day that we get closer to His return less names are being added. Until Christ returns likemided believers assemble in what we call houses of worship. The newly built temple in Jerusalem was actually a model of the churches that we worship today, well, except for the sacrifices. As we come to the end of the reading of Nehemiah we learn that only one in ten people among those who returned to Israel from Babylon stayed within the confinements of the walls of Jerusalem to attend to it.
[Nehemiah 11:1-4 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. 2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants. 4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;]
[to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city,] Jerusalem, was most hated city by the heathen, which made it all the more the target of them who wanted things to go back to the way they were before the temple had been rebuilt and services restored. And because Jerusalem was a target, this kept a lot of the Jews from wanting to live within the walls. Therefore, it was necessary for them to appoint people to oversee the affairs of the city of God. However, those who willingly offered to dwell there were actually blessed more than those who were only picked because they had no other choice. Jesus said this about those who choose Him willingly by faith, [John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.]
[the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem] Perez, was one of the illegitimate children that Judah had with his daughter-in-law, under some strange event, but fulfilled the Law in regards to Christ descending through the flesh of of Judah, [Genesis 38:13,15,27,39-30 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. 27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. 29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. 30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.]
The reason that we are reading all these names of the sons of these men is to show their lineage. The Old Testament serves as more than a testimony of how God started the nation of Israel, it is also a book of records in the ancestry of not only the children of Israel, but people of all nations. While these names seem insignificant to us, they really are not and can even trace us back to Noah, who is the father of us all, and if we really want to dig deep, it can trace us back to Adam as well. The sad truth will always be that out of the billions of people that have come into existence since God created man, only a few will follow Him. Now, an account is also given of the Levites, while at one time it was only the Levites who played a part in the work of God, but now only a few returned to Jerusalem. An account is now given of those who remained.
[Nehemiah 11:11,16,20,22,24-25 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. 16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. 20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,]
[the residue of Israel…every one in his inheritance.] Many of the people including Levites, found their way back to the inheritance that was given to them before being taken captives. This is actually a picture of the assurance of ones salvation through their faith in Christ, they may not be faithful in their walk with Christ, but as long as they are saved they will receive their part of the inheritance given to them when Christ returns, [Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.]
Serving God is not just about being a part of His ministry, it also includes laymen and their obedience to Him while they are living their normal lives. There is several reasons why a saved, born again Christian does not step up to offer their time for God, and this has nothing to do with serving God in His ministry. They are either babes in Christ and ignorant to the Holy Spirit calling them, have no desire to serve Him, are afraid of what the world would do to them, or are living in sin. Now, after the laymen were chosen, the priests and Levites were chosen. Jeremiah and Ezra are mentioned first.
[Nehemiah 12:1,8-9,23-24,26 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. 23 The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. 26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.]
[over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.] Instead of waiting for someone to take the lead in thanking God for all that He has done for us and His mercies, we ought to be the ones taking the lead. The reminders of God’s goodness and all His provisions and protections needs to be proclaimed, and lived out, and we ought to never be ashamed to call ourselves true Christians.
[Romans 10:11-15 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!]
Do you see the importance of living and proclaiming God, whether we are called to serve God in His ministry or just being faithful to Him? It is not to keep our soul saved, it is to lead others to Him. Now, as the people took their places, a dedication took place of the walls being built only to discover that there were some Levites who were unaccounted for. Nehemiah, and Ezra searched outside he walls to find them.
[Nehemiah 12:27-30 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. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; 29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.]
[purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.] Remember, we cannot serve God if we have some unrepentant sin that we have not addressed. This is why Jesus tells us that we need to wash our feet, [John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.]
Those who profess Christ ought to be living their lives as preservers of the Gospel, and that means in a way that leads others to Christ, that does not mean that they do not mess up from time to time, but it does mean that they never waver in their faith. Now, Nehemiah went to the people and encouraged them to return to Jerusalem and serve where needed, and then a dedication took place.
[Nehemiah 12:31,35,38,40,43 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 35 And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 38 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; 40 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: 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.]
[God had made them rejoice with great joy:] The Levites and those of Judah and Benjamin began worshiping God with great joy, they were so loud that they could be heard for miles because they were so moved that the work of the temple resumed. When we are saved and seeing the blessings that come as we dedicate our lives to Christ we want to let everyone know about it, we want to shout and sing praises to His name. God does not place us in the world to be of the world, but that His Son might be seen through us in the lost and dying world. [John 17:14-17 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.]
Now, after being in Jerusalem for about twelve years, Nehemiah, said it was time to return home as he still had a job to do, after all, the temple was in order and everyone was serving God faithfully. Sadly, it did not take long before they allowed the world to creep in, they were neglecting their duties, allowing those who were forbidden in the temple, including the spiritual leaders and temple workers to live among them and marrying heathens. Nehemiah returned and was stricken with grief at how such a small town could get so out of touch with God so fast? Nehemiah quickly gathered everyone together.
[Nehemiah 13:1-4,6 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:]
[Eliashib the priest…allied unto Tobiah:] Ammonites and Moabites were the incestuous descendants of Lot, they worshiped idols and sacrificed their own children to them. What made God so angry with them was when they refused to help Israel and also hired Balaam to put a curse on them. So, adding insult to injury, Eliashib not only became friends with the enemy, he also allowed him to live on temple grounds.
[Nehemiah 13:8-11,22 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. 10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.]
[Why is the house of God forsaken?] The Book of Malachi comes after this and explains this further. They were not bringing in tithes, and as a result temple duties were neglected. It is not just in the tithes and offerings that they were neglecting, it was also in their duties, and in their bringing the world in his house. The Church itself is in need of a serious revival, one that not only gets the members excited about Jesus, but obeying Him as well. And that is exactly what Nehemiah did.
[Nehemiah 13:23,25-27,30 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? 30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;]
[Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?] Remember also, the people we read about from the Bible as well as those we come to know who have gone through similar experiences set the example for us, whether it be they were obedient or disobedient, [1 Corinthians 10:4-6 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.]
Do you think that everything the people of God do is something He approves of? No. Old or New Testament, we are all the same, sinners saved by His grace. God, used men and women that were no different than us, which is why He chose to put these people in His Word. Every person, except Jesus, is without sin, but by the grace of God, He used them all to be examples and testimonies of how loving, merciful, and gracious He is to those who dedicate their lives to Him. God, can revive any church, it just takes a few willing souls to step up, and be ready to rededicate their lives to Him.
[Psalms 126:1-6 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.]
[we were like them that dream.] This Psalm is a reminder that we were all once lost souls, held captive to sin. It was Jesus who found us and set us free by His precious blood the second we accepted Him as our Saviour. He is our testimony, while we may sow many tears, will enter into the joy of the LORD [Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for my salvation, I know there is nothing I can do apart from receiving Your Son as my Saviour that has my name written in the lamb’s book. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me Your power to serve You faithfully, keep my heart tender and willing to serve You wherever you lead me. Give me Your strength to separate myself from the world and let me not be tempted by its visage of evil. Keep me in Your Word and walking with You daily so I do not fall into temptation. And if there is anything that I am doing that hinders You, purge it. Let me always be a faithful witness that seasons the world with Your Son through me me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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