Daily Devotions · October 12
Reading for October 12
Read the whole Bible in a year, a few chapters a day.
Nehemiah 7–8 · Acts 1
Nehemiah 7–8 · Acts 1, Berean Standard Bible
Nehemiah 7
When the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. 3 And I told them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the guards are on duty, keep the doors shut and securely fastened. And appoint the residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their own homes.” 4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. 5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it: 6 These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, 7 accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel: 8 the descendants of Parosh, 2,172; 9 the descendants of Shephatiah, 372; 10 the descendants of Arah, 652; 11 the descendants of Pahath-moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,818; 12 the descendants of Elam, 1,254; 13 the descendants of Zattu, 845; 14 the descendants of Zaccai, 760; 15 the descendants of Binnui, 648; 16 the descendants of Bebai, 628; 17 the descendants of Azgad, 2,322; 18 the descendants of Adonikam, 667; 19 the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067; 20 the descendants of Adin, 655; 21 the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98; 22 the descendants of Hashum, 328; 23 the descendants of Bezai, 324; 24 the descendants of Hariph, 112; 25 the descendants of Gibeon, 95; 26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; 27 the men of Anathoth, 128; 28 the men of Beth-azmaveth, 42; 29 the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743; 30 the men of Ramah and Geba, 621; 31 the men of Michmash, 122; 32 the men of Bethel and Ai, 123; 33 the men of the other Nebo, 52; 34 the descendants of the other Elam, 1,254; 35 the descendants of Harim, 320; 36 the men of Jericho, 345; 37 the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721; 38 and the descendants of Senaah, 3,930. 39 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973; 40 the descendants of Immer, 1,052; 41 the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247; 42 and the descendants of Harim, 1,017. 43 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah), 74. 44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138 in all. 46 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, 47 the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon, 48 the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Shalmai, 49 the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar, 50 the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, 51 the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah, 52 the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim, 53 the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur, 54 the descendants of Bazlith, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, 55 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, 56 the descendants of Neziah, and the descendants of Hatipha. 57 The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida, 58 the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, 59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the descendants of Amon. 60 The temple servants and descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392 in all. 61 The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: 62 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642 in all. 63 And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim. 66 The whole assembly numbered 42,360, 67 in addition to their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 245 male and female singers. 68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. 70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. 71 And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the project 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 The rest of the people gave a total of 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priestly garments. 73 So the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with some of the people and the rest of the Israelites, settled in their own towns. And by the seventh month the Israelites had settled in their towns.
Nehemiah 8
At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. 2 On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. 3 So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. 8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read. 9 Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.” 12 Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that had been made known to them. 13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law. 14 And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should proclaim this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16 And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole assembly that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing. 18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance.
Acts 1
In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, 2 until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. 19 This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’ 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen 25 to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain.
How to SOAP
Grab a journal and a pen. Read the chapters above and watch for the verse that stops you. Then take it through four steps.
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Scripture
Write out the verse that stood out to you.
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Observation
What is it saying? Who is speaking, and to whom?
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Application
What does it mean for your life today? Be specific.
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Prayer
Talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you live it.
Why daily devotions?
Devotions are time set aside each day to read God's Word and let Him speak. The point isn't checking off chapters. It's meeting with Him.
Ten or fifteen minutes is enough to start. Pick a time and a place and keep the appointment. Mornings work well for a lot of us, before the phone and the day start talking.
Missed a day? Don't start over. Read today's chapters and keep going.