Set Apart

Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city while the other nine tenths remained in the towns. The people praised all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:1,2

To stay in the city would mean separation  from communities and families. Casting lots was something they did trusting God to choose. The people praised the ones who stayed, seeing it as a sacrifice. Yet it would be in safety behind the walls, close to the temple and things of God.

I wonder if it was considered like the way we consider todays priests who give up a life being able to marry and have a family to go into a life set apart. In fact these people were being set apart.

This then brings us to us, the Christian is called apart, out from common living. Yesterday at Rotary we heard a report of a group who went down to Melbourne on a cruiser to the tennis. They waxed eloquently about what a good time they had eating and drinking and going to the tennis. They were looking for people to join. I knew I could not join because I don't enjoy that sort of behaviour. The big boast surrounded drinking and how much was spent on alcohol.

I like the people but knew that I could not join them because I am called out of this type of life. I belong to another. Amen! I need to live as if called to the ministry, because I am. I must show Christ. Amen!

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