Ellen Jones

Nehemiah – Chapter 11: The next step was to increase the population of the city. Nehemiah wanted a tenth of all the Priests, Levites, and townspeople to relocate inside the city. The disadvantage of this was that the pagans would avoid trade with them as they were closer to God’s house. This would effect their business transactions as they would have to be honest. Nehemiah cast lots to see who would relocate. (The Urim and Thummim were two stones that were used to determine Gods will. They are mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament. And 7 times in the New Testament. Today we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts to guide us.)