Policies and leaders are selected

Nehemiah Chapter 11

Now the city of Jerusalem had been repaired and resettled. One tenth of the people were from Judah and Benjamin and were chosen by sacred lots to live there. The list of names of the provincial officials who came are listed in verses 4 through 19. And the other priests, Levites and rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah. But the Temple servants, whose leaders were Ziha and Gishpa, lived on the hill of Ophel.

The chief officer of the Levites was Uzzi, a descendant of Asaph whose family served as singers at God's Temple. Pethahiah, the king's agent in all public administration, was a descendant of Zerah.

Some of the people of Judah lived in villages from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. And some of the Levites were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Many of the remaining exiles who had to be chosen by lots, were not excited to be moving back to the city because: 1. non-Jews were often excluded from trade because of their religious beliefs. 2. Moving into the city meant rebuilding their homes and reestablishing their businesses, which was a major investment in time and money. 3. Living in Jerusalem required stricter obedience to God's Word because of greater social pressure and placement to the Temple.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Imagine picking up and moving to this rebuilt city. Imagine the trauma of knowing how it was destroyed and knowing its past history and the fact that it could easily be attacked by enemies at any moment. Would you go? Nehemiah established policies but God was behind choosing who would live there. God chooses us based upon what is in our hearts and minds even today. When he chooses you, don't be afraid to give him your all. His mercy and grace will see you through!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
Pray for my cousin Diane who is undergoing total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.