Week 460 · Old Testament · about 3 minutes · 281 words
👑 Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 opens with these words: “The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy…” The line to keep is Nehemiah 11:16: “and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;” Carry the word “shabbethai” from that verse into the rest of the day.
Nehemiah 11 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.” Nehemiah 11 opens with these words: “The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy…” The line to keep is Nehemiah 11:16: “and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;” Carry the word “shabbethai” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Nehemiah 11:16: “and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Nehemiah 11? Then try this: Read “and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
“and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;”
Nehemiah 11:16 · Nehemiah 11
Say it
Practice Nehemiah 11:16
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
andandJozabad,ofthechiefsoftheLevites,whohadtheoversightofthebusinessofhouse;
Talk about it
- What happens first in Nehemiah 11?
- Read “and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of…” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from Nehemiah 11 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for Nehemiah 11. Help us remember Nehemiah 11:16 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If Nehemiah 11 is long, read Nehemiah 11:16 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 460 · the whole night
👑 Nehemiah 11
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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