“These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city.” Nehemiah 7:6 NKJV
“Altogether the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and forty-five men and women singers. 68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 69 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.” Nehemiah 7:66-69 NKJV
“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.” Nehemiah 8:9 NKJV
God of our Fathers,
Strange that I have read these passages countless times and never really noticed the numbers of people who returned with Nehemiah. 42, 360! Not counting 7,337 servants and 245 singers. That’s 49,942 people and enough to make two large choirs for singing the Psalms. And they all had to find accomodation, or build it, and find food and the essentials of life. Gathering them together so they could all hear the Law being read – must have been a challenge.
Here we witness again and again Your mercy. Bringing Your rebellious people back to the promised land again and again and forgiving them. And allowing them, more importantly, to come back to You God and find You had never left them. Nehemiah and Ezra have been catalysts. Bringing order and worship. But it took all of them together, listening to Your Law and confessing their sin, to receive Your blessing and a future.
There is a time to weep and a time to mourn but also a time to rejoice. And for us, a challenge. To keep listening to Your Word and allowing Your Holy Spirit it to challenge, change and cheer us up on our way.
In Jesus name we pray.
Worship Monday 21st September 2026
As Lynn Deshazo states in her book, “The longer I walk with the Lord, the more love and appreciation I have for the Bible and for those whom God has used throughout the ages to make it available to me. I suppose that was the true impetus for my writing “Ancient Words.” She concluded: “It’s probably the best ‘bridge builder’ I’ve ever written. People from all types of churches love that song because they love the Scriptures so much.”
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Chorus x 4 . . .
Lyrics: Lynn Deshazo