Securing the City
Nehemiah 6:15 – 7:5
Introduction
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership; shows faithful obedience to God
- This morning, we continue our examination of this incredible story
-- Nehemiah’s leadership has helped them complete the wall’s construction
-- But just as we’ve seen before, building a wall is not the only thing needed
- Read Nehemiah 6:15 – 7:5
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – The wall is completed
- So, we’ve reached the point in our story where the wall is finally finished
-- From beginning to end, it has taken 52 days to rebuild the wall (v15)
- I’ve often wondered why the residents did not do this themselves before …
-- Perhaps the work was too hard, or the motivation was just non-existent
-- Or maybe, it is because it was simply not time for the wall to be built
-- RE: Nehemiah was on a mission, ordained by God for this project
- APP: God’s protection and provision are really the star of the show here
-- We saw Nehemiah praying earnestly for God to allow this to happen
-- We saw God’s anointing on Nehemiah; even the king provided resources
-- And we’ve even seen how even their enemies have been turned back
- But, just as with all things successful in this world, the resistance mounts
-- It’s almost as if the enemy will just continue to look for weaknesses …
- So, just because this wall is complete it doesn’t mean the battle is over (v16)
-- The stir caused by their enemies continues to rise; we can’t blame them
- Consider their internal questions they may have had:
• How could they do this so fast?
• What’s next on their agenda? Are they preparing for war?
• Are they coming for me and my family/city now that they’ve built?
- More importantly, note why they are so dismayed now: (v16b)
-- “… they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God”
- APP: If God could grant them favor to do this, what else could He do for them?
-- EX: Would they now be able to take over our region as well?
- Surely, the neighboring townspeople would be in an uproar about this
-- And if there is one thing we can count on: paranoia can def. excite a crowd
- TRANS: But, something interesting happens also with Jerusalem’s residents
-- It appears they are also not really happy and want try to cause issues
-- So, in all of their minds, what act could they do to turn against Nehemiah?
∆ Point 2 – A Letter Writing Campaign!
- Finishing the wall certainly does not mean that all the issues are settled
-- Nehemiah now has to return to politics of the day (as Jerusalem’s governor)
-- I’m certain for weeks/months, Tobiah was being inundated with letters
- RE (from Chapter 2):
-- Tobiah served also in Samaria under Sanballat (a Samaritan)
-- He was probably a close advisor of Sanballat; special counselor type of position
- Note: These nobles are from the land of Judah … these are Jews! (v17)
-- Despite Nehemiah’s leadership, the people still had an alliance with Tobiah
-- It’s not clear why they had such loyalty, but they felt they must maintain it
- Tobiah also had strong family ties as well to prominent Jewish figures (v18)
1) He was married to the daughter of Shekaniah, son of Arah
2) His son was married to daughter of Meshullam, son of Berekiah
-- APP: Tobiah was not an outsider like Sanballat; he had close family ties
- What we can see is the people (v19) had some conflicts of interest in loyalty
-- They would report to Nehemiah Tobiah’s “good deeds” and wait for reaction
-- EX: “Tobiah did such and such”; Nehemiah would reply; they would report
-- So, what if Nehemiah’s response was not “favorable”? They’d be tattle-tales!
- This meant they were constantly setting up Nehemiah to see his reaction
-- RE: The Pharisees did the same thing to Jesus on frequent occasions!
-- They would often test Jesus to see His response in light of their “rituals”
- IMP: The residents of Jerusalem, who Nehemiah helped, just couldn’t let go
- So, instead of being loyal, they funneled info back to Tobiah like spies
-- It is unsure why they did this, but there is a theory here to present:
• Perhaps they enjoyed a more relaxed environment under Tobiah?
• Perhaps Nehemiah held them accountable and was stricter in policies?
• Perhaps the people felt they could play both sides of the fence?
- APP: Either way, their loyalties were divided – but Nehemiah didn’t change
-- Matter of fact, even though Tobiah wrote him letters nothing changed
-- Tobiah has changed tactics now and is trying to influence Nehemiah (v19)
- This influence was probably at the heart of Jewish affairs (i.e., commerce)
-- EX: “If you don’t stop this nonsense, I will affect your ability to trade …”
- TRANS: So we see, now with the wall completed Nehemiah moves on with the next important task for them
∆ Point 3 – Securing the City
- Even with horrible attitudes in the region, Nehemiah presses forward
-- He continues to ensure life can return to normal; pays attention to every detail
-- He appoints gatekeepers, musicians, and Levites to attend to the city (v1)
- Additionally, he puts in place two key leaders: (v2)
• His brother Hanani was put in charge of Jerusalem
o His brother was first to report the issues in Jerusalem; great integrity
• Hananiah was also put in charge of the citadel
o This man had also great integrity and feared God more than most men
- Nehemiah then gives instructions as to when the gates are to be opened
-- There is some confusion about what v3 actually means, but more than likely:
-- The gates would be opened in the morning, and shut after lunchtime
- Q: Does anyone suffer from being drowsy after a big lunch while at work?
-- Same concept here, this might leave the city vulnerable during this time
-- Nehemiah ensures that the city is always protected (great attention to detail)
- He appoints residents to be guards, near their homes and on established posts
-- IMP: City is starting from scratch; knows that the infrastructure must grow
- Jerusalem was coming together, but there was still much to be done
-- We know the city is large, but still many houses need rebuilding (v4)
-- APP: This was due to the years of destruction that had happened
- So, Nehemiah then turns to the next item needed: a population!
-- Note the words he uses in verse 5: “So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families.”
- God had a specific intention for this city, and He made that known
-- Nehemiah calls forward the nobles to assemble and begin a registration
-- What they would be looking for was families with verifiable Hebrew heritage
- Nehemiah found a genealogical record of those who returned to start from
-- This allowed the city to be populated without starting from scratch
-- RE: Jerusalem is very important to God; and Nehemiah obeys God’s direction
- TRANS: So, what do we have as a take away from this passage?
∆ Big Idea
- Just because you’ve built a wall doesn’t mean that you are secure
-- Just because you have boundaries doesn’t mean that everything is now safe
- Nehemiah appoints two men to work with him who are faithful to God
-- He appoints gatekeepers who were faithful to God to protect the city
-- He also gives the townspeople the opportunity to step and be invested also
- But why does Nehemiah do this? Don’t miss this:
- Godly character and how you live your life is your greatest defense
-- Nehemiah appoints people who are trustworthy & faithful to God’s commands
- For us: Living right for God is what allows you to be used FOR Him!
-- Challenge: Does your life allow God to use you for His purposes?
-- Do we rely fully on God by living FOR Him?
-- Pray
