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Context No. 3230 of 4322 · Nehemiah

Context · Reflection

Nehemiah 11:15-21: in context

15Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house; 17and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four. 19Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two. 20The residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. 21But the temple servants lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.

This is a list of the Levites, gatekeepers, and temple servants who settled in Jerusalem. Among the names is a lovely detail: Mattaniah, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks in prayer. And there were the gatekeepers who kept watch at the gates, and the temple servants, and Levites who oversaw the outside work of God's house.

Notice the range of roles. Someone was appointed simply to begin the thanksgiving, to lead God's people in gratitude. Others kept watch at the gates. Others did the practical outside tasks. Each had a part in sustaining the worship of God's house, from leading praise to guarding a gate to doing quiet, unglamorous work. No role was too small to be named and recorded. The worship of God is sustained by many hands, the one who starts the thanksgiving and the one who watches the gate alike, each faithful in the place assigned.

Whatever my role in God's house, leading praise or guarding a gate or doing quiet practical work, do I fulfill it faithfully as part of sustaining the worship of God?

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