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Speaker 1: I'm John Stangi, and today we're in Nehemiah chapter eleven,
Speaker 1: and we'll be reading from the message. The leaders of
Speaker 1: the people were already living in Jerusalem, so the rest
Speaker 1: of the people drew lots to get one out of
Speaker 1: ten to move to Jerusalem, the Holy City, while the
Speaker 1: other nine remained in their towns. The people applauded those
Speaker 1: who voluntarily offered to live in Jerusalem. These are the
Speaker 1: leaders and the province who resided in Jerusalem. Some Israelites, priests, Levites,
Speaker 1: temple staff and descendants of Solomon slaves lived in the
Speaker 1: towns of Judah on their own property in various towns.
Speaker 1: Others from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. From
Speaker 1: the family of Judah, Athiah son of Uziah, the son
Speaker 1: of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah,
Speaker 1: the son of Mahalalel from the family line of Perez,
Speaker 1: Messiah son of Baruk, the son of Carl Josa, the
Speaker 1: son of Heziah, the son of Adiah, the son of
Speaker 1: joy Aib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
Speaker 1: The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem numbered four
Speaker 1: hundred sixty eight valiant men from the family of Benjamin,
Speaker 1: Salu son of Mashulam, the son of jo Ed, the
Speaker 1: son of Pedaiah, the son of Koliah, the son of Messiah,
Speaker 1: the son of Ethel, the son of Jeshiah, and his
Speaker 1: brothers Gabi and Sali nine hundred twenty eight men. Joel
Speaker 1: son of Zikri was their chief, and Judah, son of Hassanua,
Speaker 1: was second in command over the city. From the priests
Speaker 1: Judiah son of Joyarib, Jakin Sariyah son of Hilkiah, the
Speaker 1: son of Mashulam, the son of Zadok, the son of Marioth,
Speaker 1: the son of a high tub supervisor of the Temple
Speaker 1: of God, along with their associates responsible for the work
Speaker 1: in the temple eight hundred twenty two men. Also Adiah,
Speaker 1: son of Jeroham, the son of Peletiah, the son of Amzi,
Speaker 1: the son of Zechariah, the son of Peshur, the son
Speaker 1: of Malkaija, and his associates who were heads of families
Speaker 1: two hundred forty two men. Amishsai son of Azirel, the
Speaker 1: son of Azai, the son of Mishilimoth the son of Imer,
Speaker 1: and his associates, all valiant men one hundred twenty eight men.
Speaker 1: Their commander was Zabdiel, son of hagado Lim. From the Levites,
Speaker 1: Shamaiah son of Hashib, the son of Azrakham the son
Speaker 1: of Hashebaiah the son of Buoni, Shabbathai and Jozabad, two
Speaker 1: of the leaders of the Levites who were in charge
Speaker 1: of the outside work of the Temple of God. Matt
Speaker 1: and Ayah son of Mikah, the son of Zabdi, the
Speaker 1: son of Asath, the director who led in thanksgiving in
Speaker 1: prayer Backbukayah second among his associates, and Abdah, son of Shamua,
Speaker 1: the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthan. The Levites
Speaker 1: in the Holy city total two hundred eighty four. From
Speaker 1: the security guards Akoub Talmon and their associates who kept
Speaker 1: watch over the gates one hundred seventy two men. The
Speaker 1: rest of the Israelites, priests and Levites who were in
Speaker 1: all the towns of Judah, each on his own face
Speaker 1: family property. The temple's staff lived on the hill Ofel Ziha,
Speaker 1: and Gishpa were responsible for them. The chief officer over
Speaker 1: the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzi, son of Banni, the
Speaker 1: son of Hashebaiah, the son of Madanaiah, the son of Micah.
Speaker 1: Uzi was one of Asaf's descendants singers who led worship
Speaker 1: in the Temple of God. The singers got their orders
Speaker 1: from the king, who drew up their daily schedule. Pethahiah,
Speaker 1: son of Mashezebel, a descendant of Zarah son of Judah,
Speaker 1: represented the people's concerns at the royal court. Some of
Speaker 1: the Judaeans lived in the villages near their farms kiriath
Speaker 1: Arba Hebren and suburbs, Dibon and suburbs, Jakob, Ziel in
Speaker 1: suburbs Jeshua, Moladah Beth Palett, Hazar Shual, Bearsheba and s
Speaker 1: suburbs Ziklag, Makona and suburbs n Raman, Zora, Jarmuth, Zenoah
Speaker 1: Adulam in their towns Lakish and its fields, Azaka and suburbs.
Speaker 1: They were living all the way from Bearsheba to the
Speaker 1: valley of Hinnam. The Benjaminites from Giba lived in micmash Ija,
Speaker 1: Bethel and its suburbs, Anathoth, nob and Ananaiya, hazor Rama
Speaker 1: and Gaetame, Hadid Zeboem and Neblat Lad and Anno in
Speaker 1: the Valley of the Craftsmen. Also some of the levitical
Speaker 1: groups of Judah were assigned to Benjamin. Let's pray, Lord,
Speaker 1: we thank you for your word, and we thank you
Speaker 1: for the privilege of being able to look at it
Speaker 1: together today. And Lord, as we look at this portion
Speaker 1: of scripture, can see that you were populating the city
Speaker 1: of Jerusalem with this group of people. We see people
Speaker 1: chosen to live there, and we see others who voluntarily
Speaker 1: went to live there. But you were building this city
Speaker 1: not just physically, but you were also establishing it with people.
Speaker 1: And as you do so, Lord, in this passage, we're
Speaker 1: given a picture of what you're doing in the spiritual
Speaker 1: realm as well. You tell us in your word that
Speaker 1: you're building a kingdom, and you tell us in your
Speaker 1: word that you're preparing a place for us. You also
Speaker 1: tell us that the dwelling place of God will be
Speaker 1: with men, and that all those who trust in your
Speaker 1: son Jesus Christ will live in your presence forever. So Lord,
Speaker 1: we're giving a glimpse of this here. We're given a
Speaker 1: picture of this as the Holy City of Jerusalem is
Speaker 1: populated here in the Book of Nehemiah. It gives us
Speaker 1: a picture of the ultimate reality of what you're going
Speaker 1: to accomplish in eternity. For all who trust in your
Speaker 1: solf On Jesus Christ, we will live in your holy
Speaker 1: presence forever. We're grateful Lord for that reality. We're thankful
Speaker 1: that we are included in your kingdom through faith in
Speaker 1: your son. And we commit this day to your care,
Speaker 1: and we thank you for your presence with us in it.
Speaker 1: We pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.