God’s People, God’s Purpose

• Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant”. 
• In Luke 22:25–27, Jesus says, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant”. 
• In Mark 9:35, Jesus says, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. 

1. V1-2 Faithful Servants

• 11:1 The leaders volunteered to live in Jerusalem
• Matthew 25:21 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
• Intro: 5:15 Nehemiah led by example that he would not overburden the people. Nehemiah understood servant leadership
• Matthew 20:26-28 “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant”. 
• In Luke 22:25–27 “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant”. 
• In Mark 9:35, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. 

Cast lots- Urim and Thummim on the priests robe

Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

2. V3-9 Benjamin and Judah settled in Jerusalem

• 3-6 Judah descendants (468)

Valiant men– virtuous, strong, steadfast, able

• 7-9 Benjamin descendants (928)

3. V10-14 The Priests

1. 822 temple workers
2. 242 heads of households
3. 128 valiant men

4. V15-18 The Levites (284) Outside temple workers/ prayer directors
5. V19 The Gatekeepers / who kept watch (shamarim-172)
6. V20 Rest of Israel
7. V21 The Temple Servants
8. V25-36 Preparing the way and villages for the birth of a Savior

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.