Reading for December 26th

Read Nehemiah 12.44-47. In 12.44-47: The community ensures Temple service. Shifting back to a third-person narrative, this section recounts efforts the community made to ensure that the contributions to the Temple stores were properly accounted for. The foucus is exclusive on the community and its support for the Temple personnel. In verse 44: Men were appointed: The appointment was by the consensus of the community, not by an individual. Being over the stores included the inventorying and distribution of offerings. Such care was taken because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levities who ministered. Taking care over the offerings that support these persons was an act of thanksgiving for the joy worship provided to the community. In verse 47: The daily portions: The offering that provided daily rations to the Temple personel. Paralleling Zerubbabel, who rebuilt the Temple, and Nehemiah who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, serve the same function as Ezra 1-6 serves in mixing the two efforts together: The rebuilding of the walls and subsequent solemen covenant reformed the house of God just as the physical rebuilding of the building did. To speak of Nehemiah in this manner makes it sound like his term as governor is over. Comments or Questions..