Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 11:22-36, Nehemiah 12:1-26, Numbers 8:13-22, 1 Peter 2:9
As a child in elementary school, I was always scared to read aloud in class. It wasn’t because I was a bad reader. In fact, I always read a bit faster than everyone else, skipping ahead to read a paragraph or two before the rest of the class. But even still, I was constantly nervous I would say something wrong or lose my place in the reading, and as a result, make a fool of myself if called on by the teacher.
It’s easy to get lost in this passage from Nehemiah 11 and 12, because it’s full of the names of people and places that are hard to read and even harder to pronounce. It’s also easy to acknowledge that there are a lot of names, decide they’re too difficult to pronounce, and then skip ahead to the more interesting part of the story.
But names are important. The names in this passage are the names of the priests who came back to live in Jerusalem. At the time, Jerusalem wasn’t exactly the hip, new place to live. It was dangerous to the point that the people had to cast lots to see who would go back and build their lives there. The names of these priests listed in Nehemiah 11 and 12 were the priests who took the risk, voluntarily or not, because the people moving to Jerusalem needed priests too.
These lists tell us more than just who these people were; they tell us where they came from, their history. There is a lot of interest nowadays in finding out more about your ancestry. You send in a sample of your DNA, and some laboratory sends you back a full report of your global ancestry. Human nature leans toward wanting more knowledge, more information, which is probably why these kinds of tests have become so popular. We just want to know what we want to know.
These lists of priests serve a similar purpose: to help future generations of priests know where they came from. When we know where we come from, it’s easier to know what we’re moving toward, to take a glimpse at the bigger picture. But our full understanding of where we come from lies in the knowledge and belief of this truth: Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Our most important family name is the one given to us as children of God. We are His sons and daughters, and He is our Father. We belong to Him. He is our ancestry. He is our past, present, and future. Our citizenship and our family name rests fully with Him, and Him alone.
Written by Ellen Taylor
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90 thoughts on "The Levites and Priests"
Praise God…. so much power in the Name of Jesus!!!
Amen!
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Amen ❤️
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Love this song!
thank you, names are important, pwople are important, we are important to our God!
You can read day 18 on the website
I don’t see day 18 for today?
Hey Linda!
We are working to resolve this error. Day 18 should be available on the app soon. In the meantime, we would love for you to read alongside us at SheReadsTruth.com/plans.
Me neither
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I am missing day 18 today Thur anyone else?
Same.
I don’t have it either!
Same
Read it on She Reads Truth website (and He Reads Truth website)
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Thank you for the prayers for my mom, sweet she’s. She has not been hallucinatory since she stopped the pain meds and muscle relaxants. I saw her yesterday, and thought she was mostly “normal” (except for that cracked pelvic area).
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Tonight I ask for prayers for my MIL… SHE has been hallucinating. We think it may be as simple as having a UTI. She has a doctors appt Friday and will be mentioning that. (Hubby told her to… hopefully she remembers to ask!) I think she will be seeing a doc that is a friend of mine. Think I’ll shoot her a quick text.
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Thanks for keeping my family in prayer. Having aging parents can be rough!
❤ advocacy is unfortunately very necessary, especially with aging parents. Are you or your husband listed as permitted to inquire or receive medical info? If not, it would be advisable. ❤ praying nothing serious!
I think we are both DPOA for our respective moms. I should check into that!!
1 Peter 2:9 is a great life verse!! Called out of the dark…into the Glorious Light. He called me! I love the song by Christian Stanfield “Glorious Day!” So fun to sing!
I was buried beneath my shame
Who could carry that kind of weight?
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You
I was breathing, but not alive
All my failures I tried to hide
It was my tomb
‘Til I met You
You called my name
Then I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
Now Your mercy has saved my soul
Now Your freedom is all that I know
The old made new
Jesus, when I met You, whoa, what a day
When you called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
Then I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
I needed rescue
My sin was heavy
But chains break at the weight of Your glory
I needed shelter
I was an orphan
But You call me a citizen of Heaven
When I was broken
You were my healing
Now Your love is the air that I’m breathing
I have a future
My eyes are open
‘Cause when you called my name
I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day!
I love that we ALL were in the darkness!
I WAS AN ORPHAN But you call ME a citizen of Heaven!!!
Hallelujah!! Praise God!
And because of that we need to SHARE it as often as we can and help change the lives of others. I’m telling you, NOTHING is better!
Love this song!
Any SRT Shes in Tuscaloosa, AL?
I’m in Trussville, AL—not too terribly away! ❤️
I’m in Huntsville, AL.
Auburn Al
Oh, the lists of names! Years ago, the church is was attending at the time had a Bible reading marathon. Members of the congregation signed up to read aloud from the pulpit at the church for 15 minutes at a time. We read continuously for 24 hours a day until we haired the entire Bible. I dont remember how long it took. But I DO remember that my first turn at reading was one of those really long lists of names in the OT. I managed to stumble through, but it was painful!
Now, I’m more appreciative of the names in the Bible. Names are truly important, and I’ve done the DNA testing and helped a cousin with the genealogy of my dad’s family. But, the only family name that really matters to me is that I’m part of the family of God. I have a Father – The Father – and He is with me always. What a privilege to be the daughter of The King!
First…that’s amazing about a bible marathon! I’ve never heard of that, but it sounds like a very cool and needed idea!
And that made me laugh that you got THAT part! I thought of that as soon as the devotional said that as well, of how she would worry so much before they came to her to read out loud at school. I did the same thing!
No matter our lineage we have a true home when we become a daughter of the King!
The thing that stood out to me today was the firstborn. God says, the firstborn that opens the womb belongs to Me (Numbers 3:13). I am the firstborn in my family. Same for my husband. I thought about the heavy burden that we have to bear. Compared to the later born siblings, firstborns are the “test case” for parents, they often feel more pressure to succeed. Parents’ higher expectations are placed on the firstborn. Later siblings often get more relaxed treatment. They may feel like they can’t “let go” or be carefree, which contributes to burnout or people-pleasing tendencies. Especially if parental expectations were unrealistic or critical- increased risk of perfectionism. Ouch. Youngest children often grow up with less responsibility, which can make them more carefree, less burdened with expectations. I noticed that with my three kids too. Our youngest got all the privileges. Lord help us. Firstborns often “take all the responsibility to themselves,” not because they are born that way, but because family dynamics and parental expectations shape them into that role. I remember listening to Mel Robbins (also a firstborn) when I was going through a season, trying to make sense of a mental block that I couldn’t shake, she shared that her childhood experiences taught her to be hyper vigilant, always watching, being alert, she also describes becoming very self-critical, internalizing expectations, feeling like she has to be tough, always have it together. What an emotional and mental burden. I found relief and closure for myself after knowing that. Now, Israel is the Lord’s firstborn. “Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship Me””(Exodus 4:22-23). Are the Lord’s expectations crushing them? Totally. Are the Lord crushing us? Not so much. We won’t survive the Old Testament times. Being promiscuous back in the day will get one stoned to death in public. Many of us would be executed many times over, for lust, for coveting. Second-borns like us, we have it easier, we have Jesus and grace. But some have abused that grace. Repentance is private to restore dignity, and but some don’t even repent privately! Firstborn got all the stoning and public punishment for our sake to learn now that the way of sin is death. They are the test case for us to learn, to be corrected and admonished in truth and consequences. God is wise, and God is fair. Paul writes in Romans 11 that Israel’s rejection is temporary, and that eventually “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), pray for them. Gentile believers are described as “grafted in” to the olive tree (Romans 11:17–18). We don’t replace Israel but share in God’s promises through Christ. God loves His firstborn. The firstborn son had double inheritance rights for carrying family leadership and much responsibility (Deut. 21:17). I am so glad God chose them for us. Spiritually, God applied this idea on a bigger scale: just as the firstborn son was set apart, so was Israel. Let us never forget that. Today I am very thankful for Israel, our firstborn brother nation who is set apart for the Lord. Thanks to them, we have the Bible, written by Jewish hands. From Israel came the Scriptures and the Messiah. May we pray and cover our firstborn brother in love and fervent prayers, especially in a time like this. Love covers the multitude of sins. And faith works through love. We are called to bless Israel and not curse. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you”. Thank you Lord. Open our eyes and our hearts to the pain that our brother is enduring. Let not ignorance block us from our blessings. Loving Israel aligns our hearts with God’s heart. Be blessed dear sisters.
Wow, Mercy! That is a great study on the importance of the firstborn and the expectations placed on the first child in our families. Your words resonated deeply with me.
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Thank you Mercy! Many Christians don’t see the somewhat new theology that is actually being taught in churches. The replacement theology teaches that the Big C church has replaced Israel (the land and God’s people). I didn’t think much about hearing this stuff the last decade, but with the rising of Palestinian support on our campuses last year and their flags being waved everywhere this year, it is alarming. And the many fingers pointed back at Israel painting them as the bad guys, well, it is hard to make sense of it all if you are new in your faith. Many will not know any better. If you don’t believe me just go under comments on anything related to Israel post and you will see christians (in name) debating this back and forth. It is quite the wake up call to pay attention “in these last days.”
And we must stand firm in support for Israel, our big brother, as you put it! And be aware of what is being taught.
We may not approve of the current tactics, but we stay steadfast in helping/supporting. This is the first time in my life I see Christians wanting to turn their back on Israel. We see this in popular influencers. Politics. We see people literally labeling Jews as the enemies because of their name alone.
We need to be privy to this, or we wake up and wonder…How could this have Happened? How could this be? Same with sexual sin? The needle is challenged then moved more the other way But it happens one compromise at a time. Stay alert. Be watchful. Know your Bibles, we only please Him!
(I hope this makes sense…my hubby was watching a Cubs game next to me and kept telling me to watch the screen and talking about it!)lol.
Amen Rhonda. Yes you explained so well despite the game :)
My ultimate identity is as a daughter of Christ. Knowing the history of lineage is so insightful, but at often times boring without the context. I am grateful to have learned more about the context of what was happening in Jerusalem at the time. The history within the pages of the Bible makes it reliable.
I am so grateful to reflect on the family of Christ, and that even though my earthly family is dysfunctional at times, through Christ I have a family.
Today I am praising the Lord for so many answered prayers! My husband got a new job after 3 years, we found a new place to live, and are growing in our new church community in a new city. God is so good, and He gives good gifts to His children, and I abundantly feel that this morning.
Welcome Chloe and thanks for sharing your praise for answered prayers! Thank you Lord! ❤️
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What powerful story you have ❤️.. and more to come.
What a beautiful remembrance Tina.
THE ending of this devo, sums it ALL up for me. Thank you Jesus! I am a child of God. My citizenship rest FULLY on my JESUS! Can’t wait to meet you all someday! Gotta go, love you all!
Each name we read (or didn’t read ☺) was a touchstone for future generations. How thrilling it must have been to hear their ancestor’s name and role in the service to God!.
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Love, hugs, and prayers beautiful Shes.
Prayers appreciated for an impromptu outing with a long time friend. ❤
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LindaK- surgery, recovery going smoothly!
Prayers for a good meet up sweet CeeGee.
Praying for your meeting.
I’m finding that following along in the reading with an audible reading really helps me stay engaged. Especially with the names. Not only the pronunciations but also hearing it spoken reminds you this is more than just a list! Does anyone have an idea of how long all of this move took? Are we talking months or several years?
Several years…those with a book probably have a timeline that they can give you an exact number
Good idea!
“Our most important family name is the one given to us as children of God. We are His sons and daughters, and He is our Father.”
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Praise God, I am His daughter, I am His child. I am Sharon – daughter of the Most High God, the King of glory – a princess! Yes, this is the most important family name one can be given, and what a privilege to own it – not because of what I’ve done, but because of who He is.
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Which brings to mind this lovely praise song, Who You Say I Am…
Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?
I was lost, but He brought me in
Oh, His love for me
Oh, His love for me
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Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
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Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me
Yes, He died for me
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Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
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In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God, yes I am
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I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
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I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
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I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
Oh, I am who You say I am
Yes, I am who You say I am
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Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
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In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God, yes I am
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@Chole – welcome! Thanks for sharing yesterday, giving us a chance to meet you. Praying for you as you are burdened for those around you – may God open many doors for you to share His love.
@Tricia C. – what a lovely gesture! It is a great task opening your home, but God will surely bless. Praying He gives you wisdom & discernment.
@Linda K. – praying all goes well with your surgery and for a quick recovery.
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You are chosen sweet sisters in Christ – you are a child of God!
May each of us meditate on this truth today. Have a blessed day sweet She’s! ❤️
Sharon, thank you for your intentional prayers! I feel very welcomed! I am grateful for this community of beleivers.
Me too!!
Welcome!!
Thank you Sharon. Appreciate the prayers.
Also appreciate the insight you offer in these scriptures. ❤️
That is one of my very favorite songs! I am so glad that I am His daughter and that He has welcomed ME!
I am one that can glance over the list of names…guilty. Today I am reminded of the importance of them; that being named and on the list matters. They were chosen to fullfill a role that was theirs to do, called and appointed by the Lord to be in position to lead well, restore the practices, the worship, the community. The names remind people where they came from and are all important in their part in restoring God’s people and offering the worship and praise He is due. We too must not forget that we are chosen to lead well and by example, offer praise no matter how significant or insignificant we may see our role in where we serve.
Lord, thank you that you have chosen us. May we be worthy of you in all we do. Amen❤️
Amen Wendy, our role is important to honor God with praise and worship!
Wendy I’ve been reminded before of their importance and yet I still pass over. I just can’t pronounce them.
Yes they are difficult to pronounce!
I decided to listen to the chapters with all the names on the audio option on Bible Gateway. I read silently while listening to the names pronounced correctly. :)❤️
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”. 1 Peter 2:9
LindaK, I just read your prayer request from yesterday. Praying for your hip replacement surgery today that the surgery goes well. Also for a quick recovery with no pain.
Amen.
The singers, the priests, the Levites, gatekeepers, all having their duties as the children of Israel were led in the thanksgiving psalms, giving praise and thanks – watch by watch (around the clock?) alternating group by group – “according to the command of David the man of God” – a man after God’s own heart, flawed as are we. Never forget the importance of thankfulness and praise, no matter where you are – at home in your comfy chair, or somewhere that took courage to settle in – there is always something to be thankful for .
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CRISSY HUNTER – thank you for reminding of that powerful verse, Philippians 4:13. ALL things …
TRICIA C – praying with you for the Lord’s guidance in fulfilling this leading you feel, and for your husband to feel it as well, strongly(!) and join you in praying for guidance. May this be a strengthening of faith for you both.
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ beautiful memory ❤️
KIMBERLY Z !! ❤️ I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you and your family are doing.
CHLOE ❤️ praying for hearts and minds to be opened and
turn to Jesus, our living hope … Phil Wickham’s song comes to mind … “in desperation, I turned to heaven, And spoke Your name into the night”
LINDAK – praying the hip replacement surgery goes well! ❤️
MEAGAN C – ❤️ praying the Lord will give you a love for your new home and guide you to just the right church for your family.
RHONDA J ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
Amen!!
Amen! ❤
Amen!
Thank you Searching!
Thank You Lord. Amen
Amen
It was important to restore the worship if the people of Israel were going to live as God’s representatives to the world.
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And how much more for us as His holy people, His kingdom of priests, to gather and publicly worship Him while we can?
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Thinking of our persecuted brothers and sisters who put their lives in danger to gather together, who mouth the words of praise without sound for if they were heard they would be turned in, imprisoned, or killed. One glorious day their voices will be heard before the throne singing “Holy, holy, holy.”
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LINDAK – praying all goes well with your hip replacement today.
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TRICIA C – praying for you and your husband to discern how to be a blessing to those around you this Thanksgiving.
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SEARCHING – continuing to pray for your family’s decision-making process.
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FOSTER MAMA – continued prayers for your F-I-L’s cancer battle will bring him to surrender his heart to Jesus.
Yes, Amen Kelly! Such good words to ponder on this morning the importance of Praise and Worship for the people of God!
Thank you Kelly!
May God be praised!❤️
Amen❤️
Amen
Amen❤️
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I am always amazed at the way God brings to mind another life story that’walks alongside ‘ the devotional.
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Some years ago, my mother in law, that was, presented me with a book for 2 reasons.. it was a good read that she felt could have been my story, but also the picture on the cover, of a little girl could have been me!
The book was about a daughters search for the truth of her father accused of treason and being killed by firing squad, and the truth finally coming out some 30 years later when the last of the government official in the case had died.
I decided to read the book whilst on holiday visiting my dad.
So, on one of the early pages the author talks sbout her father and his three friends the only black people in Scottish university in the early 1960s. She mentions the friends one, a creole, one from Sierra Leone, and the last from Guyana called George Blankson!
Okay!
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I put the book down, and ask my dad, how far our name goes and do we have Guyanese relatives.. Daddy shakes his head with a categorical No! We talk about this George mentioned in the book..
No word of a lie, at this point there is a knock at the door, I put my book down to go and answer it. Daddy gasps and says to the visitor, “we have just been talking about you”
Puzzled, I look at dad, “we have”
The gentleman sat down and as he does he picks up my book, looks it over, and as a sadness comes across his face and he says.. “This is my old friend we were in Scotland together at university. He was executed wrongly for crimes he did not commit! He was a good man..
I stand there for what could have been ages in that serreal moment!
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WHAT????
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Names, indeed matter, where we come from matters, family matter.
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BUT GOD..
To whom we belong, and to whom we truly have worth and purpose, grace and mercy, faithfulness and Hope is where we will find our true selves, our true home and history.
We can get our ‘here on earth’ history wrong in stories we hear, but with God, our story is intwinned with His, making ours lives a lot rich and truth covered..
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Praise God..
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Where’s the time gone..
Gotta rush..
Much love my dears. Be blessed in all you do today.. ♥️
Oh, wow! What a strange turn of events. What did your MIL say, assuming you told her, that your people were in the story?
Hope you have a blessed day.❤️
We belong ❤️
Thank you, sister.
Wow, Tina! God is everywhere and in everything. Compared to Him everything’s is very small. Look at how the lives of your family connected in that
I always want to hear more in your stories, Tina.
I am so Glad my name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. Praise God!
Wow, Tina, that’s an amazing story!
Yes Tina!
So grateful for the worth we have because of our Awesome God!
Thank you for sharing that story. Only God…
Wow!
Wow what an amazing story.
Wow Tina!… that’s an amazing story! ❤️
What an amazing story, Tina! Thanks for sharing it. I love the way God moves in our lives.
What a great story teller you are! Sucked me right in… like usual. ♥️
Wow Tina what an incredible story !