Read: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16
The priests had settled in Jerusalem and now it was time of the people to resettle there. They asked for volunteers, then chose the rest by lot. One family out of ten were chosen by lot and moved to Jerusalem. Then they scattered some of the priests throughout the land.
In the city of Jerusalem there were people from the tribe of Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and singers. The rest of the people lived in settlements outside the city.
We read today how the Levites would line in two lines and give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other like they did in the days of David. I imagine it looked a lot like our responsive reading today.
Paul was speaking to the Corinthians who lived in a very pagan ritualistic city. He was trying to teach them that they couldn’t participate in the rituals of other gods and also God’s ritual of communion. They had to choose to serve one god and the only true god is Jehovah. They didn’t have to worry about accidentally eating food offered to idols, they had to worry if they were offering the food to the idols. It wasn’t about the food, it was about their motives and their heart. It has always been about the heart.
Lord, may we walk in the fear of the Lord and keep our tongue from evil. Bring your justice to the earth.
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