WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.920 Emily: Welcome to immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:04.670 Day 300 and 55 00:00:05.159 --> 00:00:09.029 Here is the list of the priests and Levites who returned with Abel, 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:12.779 son of Shi and Je the high priest. 00:00:14.369 --> 00:00:14.669 Re. 00:00:15.329 --> 00:00:17.279 Jeremiah Ezra. 00:00:17.849 --> 00:00:18.629 Amiah. 00:00:19.169 --> 00:00:19.709 Maek. 00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:23.189 Ishaya Haram. 00:00:23.759 --> 00:00:23.939 Meath. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:29.649 Ido Han Aja Minya 00:00:31.959 --> 00:00:32.309 Mobil. 00:00:33.044 --> 00:00:41.504 She Joya, Judea, slu, ak, AYA, and Judea. 00:00:43.034 --> 00:00:46.694 These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of je. 00:00:47.924 --> 00:00:55.094 The Levis who returned with them were Jesu ua, CAEL, abaya, Judah, and 00:00:55.094 --> 00:00:59.954 Matia, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of Thanksgiving. 00:01:00.884 --> 00:01:06.104 Their associates, BAK, Bacha, and Anai stood opposite them during the service. 00:01:07.544 --> 00:01:11.114 Jehu, the high priest was the father of Joki. 00:01:11.924 --> 00:01:14.144 Joki was the father of Eliashib. 00:01:14.894 --> 00:01:17.024 Eliashib was the father of Joah. 00:01:17.684 --> 00:01:19.964 Jota was the father of Johannan. 00:01:20.624 --> 00:01:22.274 Johannan was the father of Jaa. 00:01:23.744 --> 00:01:27.434 Now, when Joya Kim was high priest, the family leaders of 00:01:27.434 --> 00:01:29.114 the priests were as follows. 00:01:29.804 --> 00:01:32.474 Mariah was leader of the family of Seray. 00:01:33.344 --> 00:01:36.134 Hananiah was leader of the family of Jeremiah. 00:01:36.914 --> 00:01:37.124 Ms. 00:01:37.124 --> 00:01:40.844 Shula was leader of the family of Ezra Jijo. 00:01:40.844 --> 00:01:43.454 Hanan was leader of the family of Amiah. 00:01:44.264 --> 00:01:46.724 Jonathan was leader of the family of Maluk. 00:01:47.504 --> 00:01:54.074 Joseph was leader of the family of Shena, was leader of the family of Harem. 00:01:54.914 --> 00:01:57.584 Hel Chi was leader of the family of Marath. 00:01:58.514 --> 00:02:01.154 Zechariah was leader of the family of Ito. 00:02:02.174 --> 00:02:04.964 Machu was leader of the family of Guhan. 00:02:05.804 --> 00:02:08.204 Zaria was leader of the family of Aja. 00:02:09.584 --> 00:02:12.224 There was also a leader of the family of Minan. 00:02:12.914 --> 00:02:15.584 Pil was leader of the family of Moad. 00:02:16.484 --> 00:02:23.144 Shaa was leader of the family of Bil Ga Johanan was leader of the family of Shama. 00:02:23.864 --> 00:02:26.474 Matt and I was leader of the family of Joya Rib. 00:02:27.694 --> 00:02:29.954 Aai was leader of the family of Judea. 00:02:30.944 --> 00:02:36.644 Kalai was leader of the family of Slu Eber was leader of the family of Amoc. 00:02:37.544 --> 00:02:40.454 Hasha Baah was leader of the family of Alka. 00:02:41.354 --> 00:02:43.904 Neel was leader of the family of Jaa. 00:02:45.224 --> 00:02:50.534 A record of the Levite family was kept during the years when Eliashib, Joda, 00:02:50.984 --> 00:02:54.584 Johannan, and Jaa served as high priests. 00:02:55.169 --> 00:02:58.829 Another record of the priests was kept during the reign of Arias, the 00:02:58.829 --> 00:03:03.269 Persian, a record of the heads of the Levite families was kept in the 00:03:03.269 --> 00:03:08.189 book of history down to the days of Johannan, the grandson of Eliashib. 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:13.169 These were the family leaders of the Levites, has Shabiah, 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:17.979 Shi Abaya, Joshua Nui, CAEL. 00:03:18.449 --> 00:03:22.109 And other associates who stood opposite them during the ceremonies 00:03:22.109 --> 00:03:23.489 of Praise and Thanksgiving. 00:03:23.999 --> 00:03:28.199 One section responding to the other, as commanded by David the man of God. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:32.669 This included Matt Aniah, vak, Bacha, and Obadiah. 00:03:34.109 --> 00:03:34.319 Ms. 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:34.859 Shula. 00:03:35.309 --> 00:03:40.469 Talman and ACA were the gatekeepers in charge of the store rooms at the gates. 00:03:41.249 --> 00:03:45.959 These all served in the days of Joya Kim, son of Je, son of Jeh, Zak. 00:03:46.364 --> 00:03:51.374 And in the days of Nehemiah, the governor and of Ezra, the priest and scribe 00:03:54.194 --> 00:03:57.944 for the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout 00:03:57.944 --> 00:04:01.484 the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. 00:04:02.144 --> 00:04:05.054 They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs 00:04:05.054 --> 00:04:09.194 of Thanksgiving and with the music of symbols, harps, and liars. 00:04:09.974 --> 00:04:13.274 The singers were brought together from the region around Jerusalem 00:04:13.694 --> 00:04:15.824 and from the villages of the nites. 00:04:16.634 --> 00:04:21.494 They also came from Beth Gilgal and the rural areas near Giba and asthma. 00:04:21.494 --> 00:04:25.544 Beth, for the singers had built their own settlements around Jerusalem. 00:04:26.264 --> 00:04:29.204 The priests and Levites first purified themselves. 00:04:29.624 --> 00:04:33.374 Then they purified the people, the gates and the wall. 00:04:34.244 --> 00:04:38.144 I led the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall and organized 00:04:38.174 --> 00:04:40.484 two large choirs to give thanks. 00:04:41.264 --> 00:04:44.354 One of the choirs proceeded southward along the top of 00:04:44.354 --> 00:04:45.734 the wall to the dung gate. 00:04:46.454 --> 00:04:50.324 Hohaia and half the leaders of Judah followed them along with 00:04:50.324 --> 00:04:56.984 Azariah, Ezra, Chulo, Judah, Benjamin, Shama, and Jeremiah. 00:04:58.034 --> 00:05:02.234 Then came some priests who played trumpets, including Zechariah, 00:05:02.354 --> 00:05:08.624 son of Jonathan, son of Shama, son of Matia, son of McKay, son of 00:05:08.629 --> 00:05:15.674 Zachary, a descendant of ASAP and Zachariah's colleagues were Shema Elle. 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:22.289 Milly, Gilli, Mayi, Nathaniel Judah, and Hane nai. 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:27.599 They used the musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. 00:05:28.889 --> 00:05:33.269 Ezra the scribe led this procession at the Fountain Gate. 00:05:33.539 --> 00:05:36.149 They went straight up the steps on the ascent of the city 00:05:36.149 --> 00:05:37.949 wall toward the city of David. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:43.139 They passed the house of David and then proceeded to the Watergate on the east. 00:05:44.024 --> 00:05:47.354 The second choir giving thanks went northward around 00:05:47.354 --> 00:05:48.674 the other way to meet them. 00:05:49.514 --> 00:05:53.834 I followed them together with the other half of the people along the top of the 00:05:53.834 --> 00:05:59.084 wall, passed the tower of the ovens to the broad wall, then passed the Efram 00:05:59.084 --> 00:06:04.124 gate to the old city gate, passed the fish gate and the Tower of Hannanel, 00:06:04.634 --> 00:06:06.464 and onto the tower of the hundred. 00:06:07.484 --> 00:06:11.414 Then we continued on to the sheep gate and stopped at the guard gate. 00:06:12.119 --> 00:06:14.219 The two choirs that were giving thanks. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:17.969 Then proceeded to the Temple of God where they took their places. 00:06:18.809 --> 00:06:19.619 So did I. 00:06:19.979 --> 00:06:22.259 Together with the group of leaders who were with me. 00:06:23.249 --> 00:06:28.099 We went together with the trumpet playing priests, Eliakim, Maia, 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:37.199 Yemen, McKay, EAI, Zacharia, and Hananiah, and the singers Meia. 00:06:37.679 --> 00:06:39.419 She Zer. 00:06:40.304 --> 00:06:45.464 Aai, Jijo, Hanan, mal Caja, ELAM, and Zer. 00:06:46.484 --> 00:06:51.614 They played and sang loudly under the direction of Jez Haya, the choir director. 00:06:52.574 --> 00:06:55.724 Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day. 00:06:56.234 --> 00:06:59.234 For God had given the people cause for great joy. 00:07:00.074 --> 00:07:03.644 The women and children also participated in the celebration 00:07:04.184 --> 00:07:07.844 and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:12.239 On that day, men were appointed to be in charge of the store 00:07:12.239 --> 00:07:13.559 rooms for the offerings. 00:07:14.039 --> 00:07:16.589 The first part of the harvest and the tithes. 00:07:17.429 --> 00:07:20.819 They were responsible to collect from the fields outside the towns. 00:07:21.089 --> 00:07:25.739 The portions required by the law for the priests and Levites for all 00:07:25.739 --> 00:07:29.669 the people of Judah took joy in the priests and Levites and their work. 00:07:30.419 --> 00:07:34.799 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification as 00:07:34.799 --> 00:07:37.079 commanded by David and his son Solomon. 00:07:37.604 --> 00:07:39.884 And so did the singers and the gatekeepers. 00:07:40.604 --> 00:07:44.474 The custom of having choir directors to lead the choirs in hymns of praise 00:07:44.474 --> 00:07:49.304 and Thanksgiving to God began long ago in the days of David and asap. 00:07:50.114 --> 00:07:55.424 So now in the days of Zabul and of Nehemiah, all is Israel brought a 00:07:55.454 --> 00:07:59.744 daily supply of food for the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Levites. 00:08:00.704 --> 00:08:04.454 The Levites, in turn, gave a portion of what they received to the 00:08:04.454 --> 00:08:06.644 priests, the descendants of Aaron. 00:08:08.369 --> 00:08:12.959 On that same day as the book of Moses was being read to the people, the 00:08:12.964 --> 00:08:17.849 passage was found that said, no Amite or Moabite should ever be permitted 00:08:17.849 --> 00:08:22.109 to enter the assembly of God for they had not provided the Israelites with 00:08:22.109 --> 00:08:23.759 food and water in the wilderness. 00:08:24.329 --> 00:08:27.239 Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them. 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:32.339 Though our God turned the curse into a blessing when this passage of the law 00:08:32.339 --> 00:08:35.039 was read, all those of foreign descent. 00:08:35.339 --> 00:08:37.679 Were immediately excluded from the assembly. 00:08:38.789 --> 00:08:42.659 Before this had happened, Eliashib the priest who had been appointed 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:46.199 as supervisor of the store rooms of the temple of our God and who 00:08:46.204 --> 00:08:51.389 was also a relative of Tobiah, had converted a large storage room and 00:08:51.389 --> 00:08:53.099 placed it at Tobiah's disposal. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:57.149 The room had previously been used for storing the grain offerings, 00:08:57.389 --> 00:09:01.559 the frankincense, various articles for the temple and the tithes of 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:03.959 grain, new wine, and olive oil. 00:09:04.769 --> 00:09:09.509 Which were prescribed for the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, as 00:09:09.509 --> 00:09:11.369 well as the offerings for the priests. 00:09:12.689 --> 00:09:18.059 I was not in Jerusalem at that time for I had returned to King Arteris of Babylon 00:09:18.359 --> 00:09:23.399 in the 32nd year of his reign, though I later asked his permission to return. 00:09:24.569 --> 00:09:29.159 When I arrived back in Jerusalem, I learned about Eliashib's evil deed 00:09:29.309 --> 00:09:33.479 in providing Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the temple of God. 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:39.239 I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah's belongings out of the room. 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:43.919 Then I demanded that the rooms be purified and I brought back the 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:48.029 articles for God's temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. 00:09:48.929 --> 00:09:53.129 I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions 00:09:53.129 --> 00:09:57.269 of food, so they, and the singers who were to conduct the worship services 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:59.309 had all returned to work their fields. 00:10:00.089 --> 00:10:02.099 I immediately confronted the leaders. 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:06.089 And demanded, why has the temple of God been neglected? 00:10:06.809 --> 00:10:10.919 Then I called all the levies back again and restored them to their proper duties. 00:10:11.729 --> 00:10:15.419 And once more, all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:19.229 of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the temple store rooms. 00:10:20.129 --> 00:10:25.679 I assigned supervisors for the store rooms, shamiah the priest, Zadok the 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:28.469 scribe, and Padea one of the Levites. 00:10:29.024 --> 00:10:34.604 And I appointed Hanan son of Zacker and grandson of Mat Aniah as their assistant. 00:10:35.564 --> 00:10:40.154 These men had an excellent reputation, and it was their job to make honest 00:10:40.154 --> 00:10:41.954 distributions to their fellow levies. 00:10:43.154 --> 00:10:45.884 Remember this good deed, oh my God. 00:10:46.454 --> 00:10:50.084 And do not forget all that I have faithfully done for the temple 00:10:50.084 --> 00:10:52.154 of my God and its services. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:58.529 In those days, I saw men of Judah treading out their wine presses on the Sabbath. 00:10:59.369 --> 00:11:04.259 They were also bringing in grain, loading it on donkeys, and bringing their wine, 00:11:04.439 --> 00:11:10.049 grapes, figs, and all sorts of produce to Jerusalem to sell on the Sabbath. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:14.009 So I rebuked them for selling their produce on that day. 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:19.049 Some men from tire who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish 00:11:19.109 --> 00:11:20.489 and all kinds of merchandise. 00:11:21.209 --> 00:11:26.519 They were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah and in Jerusalem at that. 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:31.019 So I confronted the nobles of Judah, why are you profaning 00:11:31.024 --> 00:11:32.789 the Sabbath in this evil way? 00:11:32.999 --> 00:11:37.679 I asked, wasn't it just this sort of thing that your ancestors did 00:11:38.009 --> 00:11:41.609 that caused our God to bring all this trouble upon us and our city? 00:11:42.389 --> 00:11:46.349 Now you are bringing even more wrath upon Israel by permitting the 00:11:46.349 --> 00:11:48.539 Sabbath to be desecrated in this way. 00:11:49.304 --> 00:11:53.084 Then I commanded that the gates of Jerusalem should be shut as darkness 00:11:53.084 --> 00:11:57.314 fell every Friday evening, not to be opened until the Sabbath ended. 00:11:58.124 --> 00:12:02.264 I sent some of my own servants to guard the gates so that no merchandise 00:12:02.264 --> 00:12:03.974 could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 00:12:04.424 --> 00:12:08.804 The merchants and tradesmen with a variety of wares camped outside 00:12:08.804 --> 00:12:13.604 Jerusalem once or twice, but I spoke sharply to them and said, what are you 00:12:13.604 --> 00:12:15.974 doing out here camping around the wall? 00:12:16.544 --> 00:12:18.434 If you do this again, I will arrest you. 00:12:19.769 --> 00:12:21.809 That was the last time they came on the Sabbath. 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:28.709 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the gates in order 00:12:28.709 --> 00:12:30.629 to preserve the holiness of the Sabbath. 00:12:31.889 --> 00:12:37.679 Remember this good deed also, oh my God, have compassion on me according 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:39.539 to your great and unfailing love. 00:12:40.499 --> 00:12:44.939 About the same time I realized that some of the men of Judah had married 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:47.909 women from Ashdod, Amon, and Moab. 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:52.949 Furthermore, half their children spoke the language of Ash Dodd or 00:12:52.949 --> 00:12:56.759 of some other people and could not speak the language of Judah at all. 00:12:57.689 --> 00:13:01.199 So I confronted them and called down curses on them. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:04.319 I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. 00:13:05.099 --> 00:13:08.429 I made them swear in the name of God that they would not let 00:13:08.429 --> 00:13:11.729 their children intermarry with the pagan people of the land. 00:13:12.509 --> 00:13:16.319 Wasn't this exactly what led King Solomon of Israel into sin? 00:13:16.589 --> 00:13:17.309 I demanded. 00:13:18.074 --> 00:13:21.374 There was no king from any nation who could compare to him. 00:13:21.944 --> 00:13:27.134 And God loved him and made him king over all Israel, but even he was 00:13:27.134 --> 00:13:29.264 led into sin by his foreign wives. 00:13:30.014 --> 00:13:34.454 How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithful 00:13:34.574 --> 00:13:37.304 toward God by marrying foreign women? 00:13:38.024 --> 00:13:42.734 One of the sons of Jota, son of Eliashib, the high priest, had married 00:13:42.734 --> 00:13:45.014 a daughter of San Ballad the Ho Night. 00:13:45.704 --> 00:13:47.684 So I banished him from my presence. 00:13:48.764 --> 00:13:53.534 Remember them, oh my God, for they have defiled the priesthood and the 00:13:53.534 --> 00:13:55.724 solemn vows of the priests and levies. 00:13:57.164 --> 00:14:02.474 So I purged out everything, foreign and assigned tasks to the priests and levies, 00:14:03.164 --> 00:14:05.444 making certain that each knew his work. 00:14:06.284 --> 00:14:09.944 I also made sure that the supply of wood for the altar and the 00:14:09.944 --> 00:14:13.514 first portions of the harvest were brought at the proper times. 00:14:14.714 --> 00:14:16.544 Remember this in my favor. 00:14:17.204 --> 00:14:18.104 Oh my God.