Setting – From Judah and Benjamin a tenth of them were selected to live in Jerusalem
Content – The leaders were settled in Jerusalem, but a tenth of those living in Judah and Benjamin were chosen to live in Jerusalem, and they were chosen by casting lots. Some volunteered to move and were commended (v. 2 NLT) “And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem”, the rest of Israel stayed outside, (v. 3 NLT) “Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah”. Those who didn’t resettle in Jerusalem (v. 20 NLT) “The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah” Some of the Levites from Judah were sent to live in Benjamin (v. 36 NLT) “Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin”.
Application – Further resettlement of Jerusalem occurred, but this time from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and some were done by casting of lots, while it looked like others volunteered (v. 2 ESV) “the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem” We see further moving of people from were they are settled. We see God moving people throughout the bible, from Abraham, to scattering of people from persecution in Acts. God positions His people for a purpose. The scattering of the people of Acts was to expand the Gospel message. Abraham was moved to bring him to a land of blessing, which God returned Israel to this land, bringing them out of Egypt to the Promised Land; fulfilling His promise.
We don’t always understand God’s purpose for moving people, but we do know that God wants to position His people for His purpose.
Content – The leaders were settled in Jerusalem, but a tenth of those living in Judah and Benjamin were chosen to live in Jerusalem, and they were chosen by casting lots. Some volunteered to move and were commended (v. 2 NLT) “And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem”, the rest of Israel stayed outside, (v. 3 NLT) “Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah”. Those who didn’t resettle in Jerusalem (v. 20 NLT) “The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah” Some of the Levites from Judah were sent to live in Benjamin (v. 36 NLT) “Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin”.
Application – Further resettlement of Jerusalem occurred, but this time from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and some were done by casting of lots, while it looked like others volunteered (v. 2 ESV) “the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem” We see further moving of people from were they are settled. We see God moving people throughout the bible, from Abraham, to scattering of people from persecution in Acts. God positions His people for a purpose. The scattering of the people of Acts was to expand the Gospel message. Abraham was moved to bring him to a land of blessing, which God returned Israel to this land, bringing them out of Egypt to the Promised Land; fulfilling His promise.
We don’t always understand God’s purpose for moving people, but we do know that God wants to position His people for His purpose.
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