RPG Adults
PROVIDENCE, THE CONFIDENCE FOR SERVICE (IV)
LORD’S DAY, MARCH 1
Nehemiah 7:61-65
Ezra 2:59-63
“…his brother’s wife come unto him
…loose his shoe from off his foot…”
PROVIDENCE, THE CONFIDENCE FOR SERVICE (IV)
The balance between the strict adherence to God’s order and gracious dealing without unjust bias is set for us in the fourth group of people in the lists of Nehemiah and Ezra. When extending grace, and receiving and acknowledging others, care must be taken to ensure that everyone is placed rightfully in accordance with God’s ordinance.
And these were they… (Neh 7:61). The list then turned to those with whom were some measure of uncertainty. There were those who had come from captivity together with the children of Israel, and whose hearts were moved by God when the king gave his decree. But, they “could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel” (Neh 7:61). There were also those who were “of the priests” (Neh 7:63), but who when they “were reckoned by genealogy,” were not found and as such were “as polluted” (Neh 7:64). These could not be sent back or away. And God’s order could not be transgressed. Thus, they were mentioned and numbered separately. Care was taken to ensure that they were “put from the priesthood” (Neh 7:64), and forbidden from partaking “of the most holy things” (Neh 7:65) until they were confirmed, according to God’s instructions, through a “priest with Urim and Thummim.” This was to prevent their sin from bringing upon them and the congregation of God’s people the wrath and judgment of God. But their names were not struck out of the genealogy. Their inclusion in the genealogy served to teach us how high a value we ought to place on God’s call and standards. What reverence to God’s Word they showed! They adhered to the exclusivity of the Aaronic priesthood, such that those who could not prove they belonged were not given any benefit of the doubt. They were excluded from partaking of the office and its benefits. This is a very needful lesson today when many have taken liberties to include into the pastoral ministry those who do not meet the standards set by God in Scripture. The push to open the pastoral ministry to all regardless of their aptness for the office is akin to the rebellion of Korah. Today, may we search the scriptures before admitting any to eat of the most holy things.
THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 24:3-5.)
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 139:23-24.)