RTW 2023

The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD. The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. Some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9:1-3

The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1

• The return of the exiles to Judah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem happened in three waves.
• The first return was around 538 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel.
• During that return, the people of Israel built the second Temple.
• About eighty years later, a second group of people returned under the leadership of the priest Ezra.
• During that return, spiritual and religious reforms occurred.
• The final return was under the leadership of Nehemiah, the cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes.
• The final return was focused on repairing Jerusalem’s walls and gates.
• God was preparing the people, in their place, reminding them of their position, and focusing on their purpose.
• It was not the position or the office of these men that enabled God to use them, but that God placed them in positions because of their hearts.
• The condition of hearts is what God seeks and uses for His purposes.
• God is preparing the world for the Messiah to come.
• Now, they wait.

‍

Remember when reading that God uses people with courage, conviction, and commitment for His purposes. Pray that God can use me for His plan to make Himself known to all people.