Seeds for 11/08/2024 - Nehemiah 12:44-47
Scripture:
44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. 45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Observation:
Nehemiah adds a note after the description of the celebration about what happens next.
They reestablish the practice of supporting the work of the priests, musicians, and gatekeepers. Here’s what seems significant about this to me.
Reestablishing this practice connects with the whole restoration project. Nehemiah’s work on the walls and gates was part one. Ezra’s leadership, alongside Nehemiah, in spiritual renewal and the corresponding renewal of the covenant was part two. Now they are restoring the worship practices and solidifying that by renewing their commitment of support for the priests and Levites via the offerings of provisions. What this meant was making a tangible commitment with their resources to support the worship of God by helping provide for those who were set apart to lead them in worship.
We willingly support with our financial resources those things that we see value in. Christian stewardship is a matter of many things—obedience, discipline, generosity, spiritual maturity, faith, hope, and love. It is also a matter of vision. We must see the value in something in order to give open-heartedly, obediently, faithfully, generously, and joyfully.
What is important to note here is that the people understood the value of restoring regular public worship of God. The covenant renewal gathering and the celebration parade were a beginning, not the ending. They were not satisfied with a “one-and-done” spiritual high, but valued continually honoring the Lord and anchoring themselves in Him by nurturing their souls through regular worship. And this vision was compelling enough to be worth restoring the community’s financial support for the priests, Levites, and others who led the services of the Lord.
Application:
What do you make of the statement that we support financially what we have a vision for, that we see the value in?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, help us to give faithfully according to how you have blessed us. Give us a vision for the value of worship. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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