"The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 11:23,
"The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity."
This chapter in Nehemiah points to a high level of organization, of coherent function and unity among the returning Jews under Nehemiah. A clear picture of systematic planning with united effort presents itself in comments such as:
"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. The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem." Verses 1-2.
"These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem..." Verse 3.
"Joel son of Zikri was their chief officer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the New Quarter of the city...." Verses 9-10.
"... the official in charge of the house of God, and their associates, who carried on work for the temple..." Verses 11-12.
"Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God; Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer..." Verses 16-17.
... and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them." Verse 21.
"The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity." Verse 23.
"Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's agent in all affairs relating to the people." Verse 24.
Other terms, such as "men of standing", "The chief officer of the Levites", "musicians responsible for the service of the house of God" all point to the themes of structure and organization.
Perhaps this is not such a profound theological point, but it appears to me that God's people at this time were reflecting something of the very nature of our God to a certain degree. We read in 1 Corinthians 14:32, "The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord's people."
As Paul points out, God is not a God of disorder, but of order. Consequently his people should reflect the very nature of God by carrying on his agenda of redemption in a manner consistent with him.
Nehemiah and his people certainly appeared to do so.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity."
This chapter in Nehemiah points to a high level of organization, of coherent function and unity among the returning Jews under Nehemiah. A clear picture of systematic planning with united effort presents itself in comments such as:
"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. The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem." Verses 1-2.
"These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem..." Verse 3.
"Joel son of Zikri was their chief officer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the New Quarter of the city...." Verses 9-10.
"... the official in charge of the house of God, and their associates, who carried on work for the temple..." Verses 11-12.
"Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God; Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer..." Verses 16-17.
... and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them." Verse 21.
"The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity." Verse 23.
"Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's agent in all affairs relating to the people." Verse 24.
Other terms, such as "men of standing", "The chief officer of the Levites", "musicians responsible for the service of the house of God" all point to the themes of structure and organization.
Perhaps this is not such a profound theological point, but it appears to me that God's people at this time were reflecting something of the very nature of our God to a certain degree. We read in 1 Corinthians 14:32, "The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord's people."
As Paul points out, God is not a God of disorder, but of order. Consequently his people should reflect the very nature of God by carrying on his agenda of redemption in a manner consistent with him.
Nehemiah and his people certainly appeared to do so.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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