Christian Devotional – February 3, 2020

Day 34 – The people. Nehemiah finds a list of people who had been faithful to return. Read Nehemiah 7:6-38.

These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city, who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172; the sons of Shephatiah, 372; the sons of Arah, 652; the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818; the sons of Elam, 1,254; the sons of Zattu, 845; the sons of Zaccai, 760; the sons of Binnui, 648; the sons of Bebai, 628; the sons of Azgad, 2,322; the sons of Adonikam, 667; the sons of Bigvai, 2,067; the sons of Adin, 655; the sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98; the sons of Hashum, 328; the sons of Bezai, 324; the sons of Hariph, 112; the sons of Gibeon, 95; the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; the men of Anathoth, 128; the men of Beth-azmaveth, 42; the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, 743; the men of Ramah and Geba, 621; the men of Michmas, 122; the men of Bethel and Ai, 123; the men of the other Nebo, 52; the sons of the other Elam, 1,254; the sons of Harim, 320; the men of Jericho, 345; the sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 721; the sons of Senaah, 3,930.
Nehemiah 7:6‭-‬38 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/neh.7.6-38.NASB

Let’s be honest, lists of names can be difficult for people to read in the Bible. Often they are names with difficult spellings and pronunciations, and we don’t know the individual people so it doesn’t always mean as much to us. However, they are there for a reason. Can you imagine being in Jerusalem at this time and being one of the ones who had been faithful? What an encouragement to see your name or your family’s name as part of this list.

We must continue to recognize those who’ve been faithful to following God. They need the encouragement for sure, especially after all we’ve seen with opposition that they face. However, God rewards those who are faithful to him and we should recognize and celebrate them as well. If you had been there during this time, would your name have been all this list? Would your family’s name have been on this list?

What about today? Are you following through and being faithful with the work that God has given you to do and being faithful to obey the commands that he’s given you? Would you find your name on a list today?