Nehemiah 12:1-21

These are the names of the priests and Levites during the time of re-dedicating the walls of Jerusalem. I am not sure why Nehemiah included these names but he was one extremely detailed fellow so it doesn’t surprise me that he wrote all these names for historical record. Yet in Matthew 1, we see a list of names recorded for the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew was writing specifically to a Jewish audience. Perhaps the Jews are particular about genealogy and if their ancestry lines connect. I can see that being a valid reason behind Nehemiah listing out these names. Yet the other reminder I find is the fact that these are names included of the priests and Levites. Perhaps it is important to reflect upon the previous generation of people that have remained faithful unto the Lord. 

At one of my seminary alma mater (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX) there is a section on campus dedicated to specific alumni students with their names (and sometimes photos). These plaque are posted in memory of specific alumni that were martyrs for the faith, meaning they were killed while they were serving in a mission or ministry field. I do not know who these individuals are nor could I remember their name without looking at the picture of the plaque. Yet I find it quite honorable that a seminary would dedicated a section of their campus to martyrs amongst their graduates. Quite moving when I first walked through the Martyr’s hall at Southwestern. 

We should never forget our previous generation of those that have paved the way when it comes to remaining faithful unto the gospel. These are reminders that we too can remain faithful despite the difficult circumstances that we face in our day-to-day lives. 

Proverbs 25

Don’t fall into believing an assumption immediately but do your research and seek out the truth before making a final conclusion. Solomon says in verse 2 that “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” 

You will find out who you can rely on when you are facing difficult circumstances in your life. It says in verse 19 “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot, is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” 

Be kind to your enemies and forgive them. You will be rewarded when you do so. It says in verse 21, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Be disciplined and have self-control in your physical, emotional, and spiritual habits. Without a disciplined mind, we will eventually crack when the enemy attacks. It says in verse 28 “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”