DOCSLIB.ORG

2016 Newsletter Summer

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2016 Newsletter Summer S ERVING THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES S I N C E 1988. SUMMER 2016 NEHEMIAH HOUSE Michael Walker, Director LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR 36 Bridge Street Petoskey, MI 49770 AAnnootthheerr LLiiffee CChhaannggeedd 231.347.0363 nehemiahproject@charter.net Praise the LORD, my soul; MARY-MARGARET HOUSE Gale Walker, Manager all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 40 Bridge Street Praise the LORD, my soul, Petoskey, MI 49770 and forget not all his benefits— 231.439.5667 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, BOARD MEMBERS who redeems your life from the pit Howard Beck, MD, Chairman Becky Nohel, CPA, Treasurer and crowns you with love and compassion, Sam Buitendorp, Secretary who satisfies your desires with good things Pastor Jim Gerber so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Carole Griffin Psalm 103: 1-5 Rev. Jim Larsen Rev. Ward Potts John Scott Michelle Walker Recently, the Nehemiah House welcomed “Aaron” as a new innkeeper. Aaron is a Jeremy Wills, DDS former guest here at the Nehemiah House, and we are so excited he has chosen to Ward Walstrom stay on as a volunteer. While a guest, Aaron re-dedicated his life to Christ, and over time his life began reflecting more and more a Christ-like attitude. He displayed a caring, supportive interest for the other guests in the house, especially spiritual concerns. Now as an innkeeper, Aaron mentors many guests, always sharing his INSIDE THIS ISSUE joyful heart while serving and testifying about what Jesus has done in his own life. Letter from the Director He is a great encourager and an example of the life saving grace of our Lord. Letter from the Supervisor FAQ's from the Board Chairman We look forward to the many years with Aaron, as he continues to grow and serve Needs List the Lord here in this ministry. Aaron’s testimony is a big part of why we serve the homeless. It is a great blessing to see God at work through people. The Nehemiah Project is a Your participation is essential to The Nehemiah Project. 501 (c) 3 organization. Your prayers, your service, and of course your financial support are what keeps the doors open. Thank you so much for all that you do. Newsletter printing donated by McLaren Northern Michigan In His service, Michael Walker, Director The Nehemiah Project LETTER FROM THE SUPERVISOR The New Has Come What a privilege it is to be on the front lines watching the miracles the Lord performs in the lives of those He places in our care. Sharing the promises of God in scripture with a broken soul and watching those very promises manifest in their lives is amazing and humbling at the same time. In September of 2015, Cynthia came to stay at the Mary Margaret House. She was broken and hopeless, her addiction to alcohol had taken over her life. Her marriage ended in divorce and she was facing criminal charges. The final and most devastating blow came when the Department of Human Services removed her children from her care. One evening Cynthia shared her life story and the recent events that brought her to the shelter. My heart ached for her, hearing the pain, hurt and heart break she had endured since childhood. As she shared her current situation, I began to see the Lord had her in the palm of His hand. He was already moving and providing some very committed Christian attorneys and others to help with her legal cases. The Lord was going before her and preparing a way for her to overcome. What a privilege to share this and other promises of God with her. Cynthia learned many more of those promises during the weeks and months to come. She asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and was Baptized. When circumstances seemed bleak or didn’t go the way she hoped and prayed they would, she stood firm on those promises. Cynthia moved to the Grace House to begin the process of transitioning from the shelter. Cynthia’s focus was committed to recovery, rebuilding her life, and her relationship with the Lord. She worked hard and successfully met all of her financial and legal obligations. Her ex-husband was amazed at the changes in her. They had divorced because of Cynthia’s spiraling alcoholism, and the affect it was having on her family but they still loved each other. He became one of her greatest supporters. Cynthia’s last day at the shelter was April 28, 2016. Her stay at the shelter ended on a much different note than her arrival. She was no longer broken and hopeless; she was joyful, hopeful, and healthy. That day at 6:00 p.m., Cynthia and her ex-husband were remarried at Hope Hall. After the beautiful ceremony, she returned home with her husband and youngest son. Cynthia continues to flourish. Her children are home and her family is reunited with relationships built on a new strong foundation. If you have served, if you have prayed, if you have provided financially for The Nehemiah Project ministry, we are deeply grateful. Without you, The Nehemiah Project would not exist. You are an amazing part of the Lord’s miracle that is Cynthia’s new story. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Melinda Fisher Grace House Supervisor Current FFAAQQ’’ss AAbboouutt TThhee NNeehheemmiiaahh PPrroojjeecctt Needs Our goal is to help our readers understand more fully about The Nehemiah Project. With this in mind I have included a list of the Prayer Needs frequently asked questions that we encounter when we speak to church members, businesses, foundations and other community URGENT need for early and late Innkeepers organizations. for The Mary Margaret House Guests receive agape love and come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior WHO DOES THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT SERVE? We serve homeless men, women and children in northern Michigan. Minors less than 18 Full time employment and affordable housing for our guests years of age are accepted only with a parent. Board of Directors, staff and volunteers WHY THE NAME NEHEMIAH? In the bible the Book of Nehemiah describes a compassionate man who followed God’s calling to rebuild the walls and defenses around Jerusalem. He was a courageous servant of God who used material means to lift up and restore the spirit and faith of House Needs God’s people. for the Children and Adults Meat – beef, pork, chicken HOW LONG CAN OUR GUESTS STAY? The average length of stay of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables our guests is 30-45 days. Length of stay is dependent on individual circumstances. Laundry Supplies – laundry soap, dryer sheets, spot remover, bleach HOW IS THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT FUNDED? Two-thirds Cleaning Supplies – floor, bathroom, toilet bowl, of our funds come from donations by individuals, churches, window and furniture polish, dish soap, dish washer soap businesses and grants. The remainder comes from federal Coffee, Creamers and Sugar and state homeless programs. Our goal is to eliminate the need for government funding by increasing private donations. Storage Products – aluminum foil, cling wrap, large and small zip lock bags, food storage containers with lids HOW IS MY DONATION DOLLAR USED? 74% is used for program Garbage Bags – kitchen(13 gallon) services which include housing, food, education, counseling, mentoring and operation of our winter warm room program. 26% is used for Over the Counter Medicine – pain reliever administration. (ibuprofen), cold and flu relievers, and allergy relief, band aids, antibiotic cream Refrigerator – new or newer used WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Currently our greatest need is for women innkeepers for the Mary Margaret House. Hours are from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Twin mattresses – 10 new twin mattresses for the men’s house and 9 p.m. - 8 a.m. Daily needs are listed in the newsletter. Most importantly we ask for your prayers to help sustain The Nehemiah (Please no clothes or hygiene items at this time.) Project ministry. Please drop off items at: 36 Bridge Street, Petoskey Howard Beck, MD, Board Chairman or call 231.347.0363 The Nehemiah Project Thank you for your support. The Mission of The Nehemiah Project is to provide a witness of God’s love for his people. Through faith and belief in the Holy Scriptures, we as believers, will minister with compassion to our neighbors in need. It is our desire to minister to the whole person; body, soul, mind and spirit. To this end, we will promote spiritual and personal growth by providing food, shelter, hope, grace and prayer for the hopeless. Please check out our website at: www.nehemiahhomelessshelter.org Hope Hall Progress The Nehemiah Project P.O. Box 1745 Petoskey, MI 49770 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. S ERVING THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES S I N C E 1988. SUMMER 2016 What is THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT? A group of local churches came together 28 years ago to meet a need The four buildings are: in the community that was going unmet; the homeless needed a safe 1. The Nehemiah House – Men's shelter place to receive a home cooked meal and a clean place to sleep. 2. The Mary-Margaret House – Women & children's shelter 3. The Grace House – Transitional shelter for men & women Through God’s provisions we have been providing these basic needs 4.
Load more
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

—— Preview end. ——

Recommended publications
  • Zephaniah 202 1 Edition Dr
    Notes on Zephaniah 202 1 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable TITLE AND WRITER The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. "Zephaniah" means "Yahweh Hides [or Has Hidden]," "Hidden in Yahweh," "Yahweh's Watchman," or "Yahweh Treasured." The uncertainty arises over the etymology of the prophet's name, which scholars dispute. I prefer "Hidden by Yahweh."1 Zephaniah was the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah (1:1), evidently King Hezekiah of Judah. This is not at all certain, but I believe it is likely. Only two other Hezekiahs appear on the pages of the Old Testament, and they both lived in the postexilic period. The Chronicler mentioned one of these (1 Chron. 3:23), and the writers of Ezra and Nehemiah mentioned the other (Ezra 2:16; Neh. 7:21). If Zephaniah was indeed a descendant of the king, this would make him the writing prophet with the most royal blood in his veins, except for David and Solomon. Apart from the names of his immediate forefathers, we know nothing more about him for sure, though it seems fairly certain where he lived. His references to Judah and Jerusalem (1:10-11) seem to indicate that he lived in Jerusalem, which would fit a king's descendant.2 1Cf. Ronald B. Allen, A Shelter in the Fury, p. 20. 2See Vern S. Poythress, "Dispensing with Merely Human Meaning: Gains and Losses from Focusing on the Human Author, Illustrated by Zephaniah 1:2-3," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 57:3 (September 2014):481-99. Copyright Ó 2021 by Thomas L.
    [Show full text]
  • The King Who Will Rule the World the Writings (Ketuvim) Mako A
    David’s Heir – The King Who Will Rule the World The Writings (Ketuvim) Mako A. Nagasawa Last modified: September 24, 2009 Introduction: The Hero Among ‘the gifts of the Jews’ given to the rest of the world is a hope: A hope for a King who will rule the world with justice, mercy, and peace. Stories and legends from long ago seem to suggest that we are waiting for a special hero. However, it is the larger Jewish story that gives very specific meaning and shape to that hope. The theme of the Writings is the Heir of David, the King who will rule the world. This section of Scripture is very significant, especially taken all together as a whole. For example, not only is the Book of Psalms a personal favorite of many people for its emotional expression, it is a prophetic favorite of the New Testament. The Psalms, written long before Jesus, point to a King. The NT quotes Psalms 2, 16, and 110 (Psalm 110 is the most quoted chapter of the OT by the NT, more frequently cited than Isaiah 53) in very important places to assert that Jesus is the King of Israel and King of the world. The Book of Chronicles – the last book of the Writings – points to a King. He will come from the line of David, and he will rule the world. Who will that King be? What will his life be like? Will he usher in the life promised by God to Israel and the world? If so, how? And, what will he accomplish? How worldwide will his reign be? How will he defeat evil on God’s behalf? Those are the major questions and themes found in the Writings.
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Nehemiah - Thorough
    Book of Nehemiah - Thorough In the earliest form of the Hebrew canon known to us the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were united in one, under the name of "The Book of Ezra." After a while, a division was made, and the two books which we now recognize were distinguished as "the First Book of Ezra" and "the Second Book of Ezra" Later still - probably not until toward the close of the fourth century - the Second Book of Ezra came to be known as "the Book of Nehemiah." The Book of Nehemiah is composed of four quite distinct sections: (1) Neh. 1-7 containing the record of the 20th year of Artaxerxes (or 445-444 B.C.), but composed by Nehemiah at least twelve years later Neh 5:14. (2) the second section of the work consists of Neh. 8-10, and contains a narrative of some events belonging to the autumn of 444 B.C. In this portion Nehemiah is spoken of in the third person; פחה he is called the Tirshatha (Neh. 8:9)," whereas in the earlier chapters his title is always pechâh ("governor") (Neh. 5:14); and Ezra holds the first and most prominent position. The style of this portion of the book is markedly different from that of the earlier and later chapters; and critics are generally agreed that it is NOT from the hand of Nehemiah. Some assign it to Ezra; others conjecture Zadok (or Zidkijah), Nehemiah's scribe or secretary Neh 13:13, to have been the author. (3) Neh. 11-12:26, which consists of six important lists.
    [Show full text]
  • Aaron and the Golden Calf in the Rhetoric of the Pentateuch
    Syracuse University SURFACE Religion College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2011 Aaron and the Golden Calf in the Rhetoric of the Pentateuch James W. Watts Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/rel Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Rhetoric Commons Recommended Citation Watts, James W. "Aaron and the Golden Calf in the Rhetoric of the Pentateuch." Journal of Biblical Literature 130 (2011), 417-430. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Arts and Sciences at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Religion by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact surface@syr.edu. JBL 130, no. 3 (2011): 417–430 Aaron and the Golden Calf in the Rhetoric of the Pentateuch james w. watts jwwatts@syr.edu Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1170 In the Pentateuch, the contrast between legal or instructional material, on the one hand, and stories, on the other, is nowhere more stark than in the relationship between the story of the golden calf (Exodus 32–34) and the instructions and nar- ratives (Exodus 25–31; 35–40) that surround it. The story tells of ritual failure with disastrous consequences, while the ritual instructions and narratives around it recount fulfilling those divine instructions to the letter. The contrast becomes most excruciating in each section’s characterization of the high priest: the golden calf story seems to vilify Aaron by placing him at the center of the idolatrous event, while the ritual texts celebrate Aaron and his sons as divinely consecrated priests.
    [Show full text]
  • 10. Persia Through the Jewish Looking-Glass 231
    10.PersiaThrough the JewishLooking-Glass Persia holds aspecial place in Jewishtradition. Whereas the Bible’scastofvil- lains and oppressive states is along one, the Persian kingdom stands out as a shining exception.The victories of Cyrus toppled the Babylonian empire,the king released the Israelites from their bondage, ordered the restoration of their sacred objects, and authorized theirreturn to the homeland—even encouraged and helped to finance it. Cyrus, not surprisingly,receivesavery good press in Jewishsources. And so, by extension, does the Persianrealm under whose aegis the Jews dwelled quite contentedly(as far as the recordgoes)for two centuries thereafter.Cyrus enjoys extraordinarilyhighesteem from the author whom we conventionallylabel as Second Isaiah and in the booksofEzra-Nehemiah. Second Isaiah heapspraise upon him, proclaiming his triumphs over all foes, prophesying his victory over Babylon, his liberation of the exiles, and his instructions to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple, as the arm of the Lord.¹ The Book of Ezraontwo separate occa- sions records adecree (or two decrees) in which Cyrus officiallyauthorizes the construction of the Temple, the restoration of the sacredarticles, and provisions for paying the costs.² And allusion to his role in the creation of anew temple re- surfaces in the Sibylline Oracles.³ Nor is this rosy portrait of Cyrus apurelyJewishconstruct.Hegets high marks in Herodotusand in Aeschylus’ playthe Persae. Xenophon madehim the subjectofalaudatory fictional biography. Alexander the Great paidsignal homagetothe tomb of Cyrus in Pasargadae, orderingits repair,renovation, and enhancement.Itwas apoint of pride for the Macedonian king. The Jews certainlyhad reason to express gratitude.Cyrus’ successfulsup- planting of Babylonian rule made possible the Israelite return from exile and le- gitimized the reconstruction of the Temple, accordingtotradition.
    [Show full text]
  • Zephaniah, Prophet to Judah
    Session 6 Session 6: Zephaniah, Prophet to Judah FOR THE Zephaniah, Prophet to Judah LEADER Zephaniah Like other minor prophets, very little is known of the man Zephaniah. The first verse of his book traces his lineage back four generations giving us some idea of who he was and when he lived. Whether the Hezekiah mentioned in this lineage is the king of Judah, cannot really be verified. Zephaniah would have been clearly identified as an Israelite. Zephaniah’s prophecy is distinctive in that he shares some of the darkest prophetic language, but also offers some of the greatest hope for the future. Shockingly, Zephaniah began his prophecy by announcing the day of the Lord, or, as he states, the total destruction of everything on the face of the earth—including Jerusalem. It is pretty dark! Because of sin, nothing would escape God’s wrath. The rest of the book methodically laid out for the people the sin for which they would be condemned. The people had sinned and God was not pleased. Zephaniah’s warning, while bleak, would encourage the residents of Judah to change their attitudes and begin to follow God with their whole hearts. As part of that encouragement, Zephaniah began to talk specifically to the people of Judah. God was announcing a cleansing of the nation from the idol worship prominent in their midst. Hope still existed for those who turned from their sin and followed God—a promise that still exists for us today. Similar to Habakkuk, the prophet Zephaniah shared a series of woes against Judah’s enemies.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Reading Nevi'im and Ketuvim" Serves a Dual Purpose: (1) It Gives You an Overall Picture, a Sort of Textual Snapshot, of the Book You Are Reading
    A Guide to Reading Nevi’im and Ketuvim By Seth (Avi) Kadish Contents (All materials are in Hebrew only unless otherwise noted.) Midrash Introduction (English) How to Use the Guide Sheets (English) Month 1: Yehoshua & Shofetim (1 page each) Month 2: Shemuel Month 3: Melakhim Month 4: Yeshayahu Month 5: Yirmiyahu (2 pages) Month 6: Yehezkel Month 7: Trei Asar (2 pages) Month 8: Iyyov Month 9: Mishlei & Kohelet Month 10: Megillot (except Kohelet) & Daniel Months 11-12: Divrei HaYamim & Ezra-Nehemiah (3 pages) Chart for Reading Sefer Tehillim (six-month cycle) Chart for Reading Sefer Tehillim (leap year) Guide to Reading the Five Megillot in the Synagogue Sources and Notes (English) A Guide to Reading Nevi’im and Ketuvim Introduction What purpose did the divisions serve? They let Moses pause to reflect between sections and between topics. The matter may be inferred: If a person who heard the Torah directly from the Holy One, Blessed be He, who spoke with the Holy Spirit, must pause to reflect between sections and between topics, then this is true all the more so for an ordinary person who hears it from another ordinary person. (On the parashiyot petuhot and setumot. From Dibbura de-Nedava at the beginning of Sifra.) A Basic Problem with Reading Tanakh Knowing where to stop to pause and reflect is not a trivial detail when it comes to reading Tanakh. In my own study, simply not knowing where to start reading and where to stop kept me, for many years, from picking up a Tanakh and reading the books I was unfamiliar with.
    [Show full text]
  • Malachi: Conclusion and Connection to Nehemiah February 28Th, 2021 Intro the Bible Can Feel Like Disconnected Books. the More We
    Malachi: Conclusion and Connection to Nehemiah February 28th, 2021 Intro The Bible can feel like disconnected books. The more we can see the overlap and connections, the more we grow in basic bible literacy. 1. Malachi was a contemporary of Nehemiah. a. ESV Study Bible: Malachi was probably a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah in the mid-fifth century b.c. This is supported by the implied existence of the temple (Mal. 1:10; 3:1, 8), which requires a date after its reconstruction c. 516 b.c. Further support is offered by the reference to a “governor” (1:8), since this term is often used for regional officials during the Persian period (539–332 b.c.). The most compelling evidence for dating Malachi, however, is the substantial parallel between the sins reproved by Malachi and those reproved by Ezra and Nehemiah. 2. The context and theme of Nehemiah a. Overview of OT Timeline b. Babylonian invasion i. 2 Chronicles 36:18-20 18 All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon. 19 Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. 20 Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, ii.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah at a Glance
    Scholars Crossing The Owner's Manual File Theological Studies 11-2017 Article 16: Nehemiah at a Glance Harold Willmington Liberty University, hwillmington@liberty.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/owners_manual Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "Article 16: Nehemiah at a Glance" (2017). The Owner's Manual File. 30. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/owners_manual/30 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Theological Studies at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Owner's Manual File by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact scholarlycommunications@liberty.edu. NEHEMIAH AT A GLANCE This book records the third and final freedom trips of some Jewish pilgrims from Persia to Jerusalem. Nehemiah, leader of the journey, upon arriving, shared with the Jews already there. His great burden, namely, to repair the breached walls around the holy city, which he did, the task being completed in just 52 days. BOTTOM LINE INTRODUCTION THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CALL TO A WALL THE TRUE STORY OF A MAN WITH A BURDEN TO BUILD Nehemiah marks the end of historical chronology in the Old Testament. It is also the only completely autobiographical book in the Bible. FACTS REGARDING THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK 1. Who? Nehemiah. He led the final of three Jewish returns from Persia to Jerusalem (Neh. 2:5). His sole purpose was to rebuild the city walls destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (Neh.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi
    Week 46 Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah, Malachi Key Verse: “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17, NASB The Return and Restoration - continued The events of Ezra 6 concluded around 516 BC. We have already learned that the events of Esther occurred many years after that from about 483-473 BC. How awesome is the Lord God Almighty that he would use one obedient woman to intervene and set in motion a plan that saved the Jewish people. The Book of Esther is full of godly principles to follow and ungodly characters to avoid, but for this study we will only make note of a few of the historic facts of that time in order to more fully appreciate the events that took place 15 years later: God is not specifically mentioned in the pages of Esther, but we see Him at work in the events and lives of the people involved. Xerxes (Ahasuerus) was king over the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC (he was the son of Darius I the Great who supported the restoration of the Jerusalem Temple and made the decree that its reconstruction be carried out with diligence). Esther was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai; he was an exile from Jerusalem and of the tribe of Benjamin. They lived in the citadel of Susa, in present-day southwestern Iran about 150 miles north of the Persian Gulf, about 1,000 miles from Jerusalem.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah 10 I
    The Covenant Sealed Chapter Outline Nehemiah 10 I. Confirmation: Nehemiah 10:1-31 A. Signers: Nehemiah 10:1-27 B. Sincerity: Nehemiah 10:28-31 Nehemiah 10:1-31 Confirmation: II. Commitment: Nehemiah 10:32-39 Signers A. Ordinances: Nehemiah 10:32-33 The Jews were in the middle of a revival and in B. Obligation: Nehemiah 10:34-39 this chapter we find them making a commitment to serve the LORD. This was due to the reading of God’s Word, which produced conviction that led to confession resulting in commitment (Hebrews 4:12). Together, they made a covenant before the LORD to follow after His ways. The importance placed on this covenant is seen in the fact that the entire nation sealed it, with the rulers leading the way. It was a great day in the land, God's people looked to Him (Psalm 105:4). Those in positions of leadership led the way in following the Word of God, with Nehemiah going out in front. His example encouraged others to follow the LORD. God fearing rulers are a blessing to those they lead. Next we find the priests were listed, a total of 17. These descendants of Levi and Aaron were responsible for serving the LORD in the temple. By joining Nehemiah in sealing the covenant they helped unite the nation after the LORD. The Levites were also involved in the signing, 21 total. They were descendants of Levi but not Aaron, so they worked in the temple but were not involved with the “The greatest and best men in sacrifices.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah 12-13
    Nehemiah 12-13 • Nehemiah has been living and working in Jerusalem for 12 years o He’s returned Israel to a place of obedience and spiritual strength it hasn’t known since the time of Joshua § The wall is rebuilt § The city is occupied § The temple is operating § And the people are working and living in submission to God’s law under the covenant o In less than 400 years, the Messiah will be sent to Israel § Which is just enough time for this reborn nation to strengthen § To spread out and repopulate the land § Though always under the authority of Gentile nations God sends in fulfllment of His promises to Daniel § That Israel would be held under Gentile authority until the Messiah’s Second Coming • So as we conclude the text of Nehemiah tonight, we frst read through an accounting of the authority of the priestly line in Israel o It’s important to establish for future generations of Israel that the line of Aaron is still presiding over the temple activities § Arguably, these people were the most important exiles to return to Israel § Remember Ezra stopped during his return to Jerusalem because he noted he didn’t have enough priests among the exiles § So he recruited more to join him o The priests were the one irreplaceable group of individuals within the people of Israel § Without this tribe, the temple services would be impossible to conduct according to the Law © 2014 – Verse By Verse Ministry International (www.versebyverseministry.org) May be copied and distributed provided the document is reproduced in its entirety, including this copyright statement, and no fee is collected for its distribution.
    [Show full text]