The Living Link Between The Past And The Future

Topic: Records
Passage: Nehemiah 7:39–73

May 24, 2022

Commentary

Reading a long list of difficult names like those found in this passage may seem boring to us, but we must remember that these Jews were the living link that connected the historic past with the prophetic future. These were the people who made it possible for Jesus to be born into this world.  In Jerusalem at that time, the important thing was to be a Jew and be able to prove your ancestry.

There are ten groups listed in this chapter, beginning with the leaders in verse 7, who returned with Zerubbabel. Those listed are priests (vv 39-42), Levites (v. 43), temple singers (v. 44), gatekeepers (v. 45), and various temple servants (vv 46-60).  Some of the people, including priests, could not prove their genealogies (vv 61-65). The total number of the congregation was 42,000 (v. 66). There were 245 singers who played an important role in the life of the city (v. 67). The animals are mentioned (vv. 68-69). Citizenship and leadership can make a state, but it takes worship to make the state a godly nation (vv 70-73). Some of the key lessons we can learn from this long list are:

  1. That people are important to God – He could have sent a group of angels to do His work, but he used the common people.
  2. That God keeps the account of His servants – He knows where we come from, what family we belong to, and how much we have done for Him.
  3. That the Lord is able to keep His work going – No matter how discouraging the situation might be, God is able to accomplish His purposes if we will trust Him and do His will.
  4. That we know we are in the family of God – Without legitimate genealogies, the priests could not enter the temple and minister.

Application

I want to be remembered for helping people find Christ and grow in His Word. 

Nehemiah 7:39– 73 (NET)

39 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua): 973;

40 the descendants of Immer: 1,052;

41 the descendants of Pashhur: 1,247;

42 the descendants of Harim: 1,017.

43 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodaviah): 74.

44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph: 148.

45 The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai: 138.

46 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, 47 the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon, 48 the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Shalmai, 49 the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar, 50 the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, 51 the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzzah, the descendants of Paseah, 52 the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephussim, 53 the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur, 54 the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, 55 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, 56 the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha.

57 The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida, 58 the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, 59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pokereth Hazzebaim, and the descendants of Amon.

60 All the temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon, 392.

61 These are the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer (although they were unable to certify their family connection or their ancestry, as to whether they were really from Israel):

62 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642.

63 And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a woman from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). 64 They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but none were found. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood. 65 The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.

66 The entire group numbered 42,360— 67 not counting their 7,337 male and female servants. They also had 245 male and female singers. 68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 69 (7:68) 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. 70 Some of the family leaders contributed to the work. The governor contributed to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. 71 Some of the family leaders gave to the project treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. 72 What the rest of the people gave amounted to 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priestly garments.

73 The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all the rest of Israel lived in their cities.