In Neh 10 we see the people of God making a binding agreement in writing, to renew their commitment to honour God and keep to the covenant He made with them.
• They would SUBMIT to God’s Word, SEPARATE themselves from bad influence of the surrounding nations, honouring God on the SABBATH and to SUPPORT the work of God.
In Neh 11-12 we see their commitment to rebuild the community in Jerusalem.
• Nehemiah observed back in Neh 7:4-5 that “the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. 5So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families.”
• He started to make plans to re-populate Jerusalem, the city where God says He will establish His Name.
Some background to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was made the capital of Israel by King David when he conquered it and made it his home, calling it “the City of David” (cf. 2 Sam 5:9)
• If we read the Psalms and the prophetic books, this place is also called ZION or MOUNT ZION, because of a hill of the same name in the vicinity.
• The Lord says He would establish His Name in Jerusalem.
• When Solomon dedicated the Temple he said, for the Lord said, 5`Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for my Name to be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be the leader over my people Israel. 6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.' (2 Chron 6:5-6)
• David says in Psalm 132:13-14 “For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: 14"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.”
This place is important and God laid upon Nehemiah’s heart the need to rebuild it.
• Twice in this chapter Nehemiah called it “the holy city”, 11:1 and 11:18. This is the first time we heard it from him.
• This phrase is only used 3 times in the OT - Isaiah (48:2, 52:1) and Daniel (9:24).
• Jerusalem therefore cannot be left with “a few people and the houses not rebuilt” as Nehemiah mentioned in 7:4.
• It has been a ghost town since its devastation by the Babylonians some 142 years ago.
Nehemiah came up with a workable plan. Read Neh 11:1-2.
1“Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. 2The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.”
New residents are needed in Jerusalem. The leaders set the example. They moved in first and settled in.
• The rest of the residents were selected by lots - one out of every ten families from the surrounding towns is move in to Jerusalem.
• Meaning, at the end of this migration, 10% of Judah’s population will be in Jerusalem.
• Being a remnant state, this number won’t be huge but it is a good start.
11:2 says the people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
ESV “And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.”
• This line can mean those who got chosen by the lots complied and moved into the city willingly.
• Or as some interpreted, it refers to a separate group. They were not drafted in but volunteered on their own. They willingly offered to live in the city.
• Whichever way we see it, the people were especially glad that they did happily and commended all of them, asking God to bless them.
Clearly this wasn’t an easy move. It was a sacrifice for them.
• With Jerusalem in ruins before Nehemiah’s arrival and the housing situation in a bad state (7:4), this move involves sacrifice.
• They have to move into a “ghost town” and try to restart a livelihood from scratch.
• It’s unlike today, when people crave to go into the city, coming from the villages, hoping for a better life. People dream big, thinking that the city life will prosper them.
But not so in Nehemiah’s time. He alluded to situation then when he mentions about those who are staying in the country.
• Neh 11:3 “These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem [went on to list the descendants of Judah (11:4) and Benjamin (11:7)]
• … in parenthesis (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon's servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on his own property in the various towns, 4while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem):”
• Neh 11:20 “The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on his ancestral property.”
• Neh 11:25ff reference to other regions. “As for the villages with their fields …”
The settlements in the country usually have their own properties (lands or fields), some passed down from their ancestors, and they can work on them and earn a living.
• But coming into the city means hard work and no land/fields. For a start, they have to get a house or build one, and then settle down and find a job or do some business.
• It will also mean leaving their towns, their relatives and friends, starting a new community with the families chosen to move in.
• And it is likely more vulnerable being in the city. Jerusalem has a long history of being attacked by enemies. A city is a target.
But the people submitted to the plan. They were willing to come. They saw the need. They wanted to be where God wants them to be.
• They did not ask, “What’s in it for us?” Probably nothing.
• They did not ask, “What do I get out of this?” Likely nothing. In fact, they have to pay a price moving in, like the inconveniences and the adjusting to a new environment.
• But they were not thinking about that. Their presence in the city matters.
Doing God’s will is sometimes better defined by what we are willing to give up.
• Like Abraham when his faith was tested. Is he willing to give up Isaac to obey God fully?
• It’s a test, of course, but a test of whether he is willing to give up something in obedience to God. That ‘something’ can potentially be his idol.
• It is not so much about what he CAN DO for God but what he is willing to GIVE UP for Him.
It’s like the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked, “What must I DO to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17-27) He did well. He kept the commandments from young.
• But he couldn’t let go of his riches. He went away sad. He dropped Jesus for riches.
• He could have a greater blessing but he could not give up what he was clinging on to.
Jesus concluded with this remark (Mark 10:29-30):
“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life.”
• God remembers those who have left home, family and fields for the sake of His Kingdom. God knows the times they sacrifice for Him. He remembers them and blesses them.
What can we not let go in obedience to God’s will?
• Some find it hard to come to church on Sundays. They cannot give up on their sleep.
• We fail to do our homework from school because we are playing our game on the phone. “I’m at stage 7 now in the game, hitting stage 8 soon. I cannot give it up.”
• Or the common one, “I cannot come for the meeting. The ‘Story of Yanxi Palace’ is on. Last episode.” [Now it won’t happen. We have toggle.]
What can we ‘NOT GIVE UP’ in obedience to God? Some habits, desires, attitudes, or the good things of life.
God has given us many good things in life and we are holding them all in our hands. With His many blessings, our hands are full.
One day God comes by and says, “Give me your hand. Let’s go for a walk in the garden.”
“This is not possible, Lord. I can’t give you my hand. They are full. I’ve gotten so many things.”
“You’ve got to let go of some of these, son.”
“I can’t.”
“You’ve got to let go.”
“But God, these are things You have given to me.”
“Yes, I did.”
“So why are You asking me to give it up?”
“Because if you don’t, I can never hold your hand.”
We’ve replaced God with the things God gives us.
• We cling on to them, forgetting that they come from God in the first place.
These people gave up their home towns for the city, Jerusalem. It was where God wants them to be. The people blessed them and Nehemiah noted them.
• He listed down their names, starting with the descendants of Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom, situated nearest to Jerusalem.
• Warren Wiersbe: “Never under-estimate the importance of simply being physically present in the place where God wants you. You may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but simply being there is a ministry. The men, women, and children who helped to populate the city of Jerusalem were serving God, their nation, and future generations by their step of faith.” [p.144, Be Determined, OT Comm Nehemiah. d.2 May 19]
Nehemiah listed also those who are serving in the house of God who are required to stay in Jerusalem - the priests, Levites and gatekeepers .
• Again we see the stress on their respective roles and responsibilities.
• 11:11-12 - Under the priests, we have the “11…supervisor in the house of God, 12and their associates, who carried on work for the temple…”
• 11:16 – With the Levites assisting them, and we have under the Levites, those who are doing the “outside work of the house of God.”
• 11:17, 22 - we have the descendants of Asaph (his name appearing often in the Psalms), Mattaniah being the “director who led in thanksgiving and prayer” (v.17) and “the singers responsible for the service of the house of God.” (v.22)
Every one matters. Every family matters. They have different roles and responsibilities, but each one matters. They may be different but important and needed.
• We came together on 1 May to clean up the church. We did not all do the same thing. We were at different places doing different things. But every one matters.
• Your presence made a difference. Together, we did what was necessary and completed what we came to do. Beyond my expectation.
Jerusalem was eventually re-populated and the ministry of the house of God was able to run smoothly, because some people sacrificed and made the move.
• God worked through 10% of His remnant and re-established His holy city.
------------------------------------- holy communion
Let’s remember Jesus’ sacrifice. He too made a big move, from heaven to earth.
• He took his residence here, with sinners like us, to fulfil the will of God the Father.
• He came into this world and “made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) because that was necessary.
• That move would mean forgoing heaven, taking on human flesh, dwelling in a sin-filled world and being nailed to the cross.
• It would mean a painful sacrifice but Jesus accepted it willingly, to fulfil God’s will and save us from eternal condemnation.
Read Phil 2:6-8. Our attitude should be the same as Christ, says Phil 2:5.
• As we take the bread and cup and honour Jesus with the same attitude.
• Are you where God wants you to be, in your relationship with Him and in your ministry?
• Is there something you are holding back, not willing to give up?
• Is there something that is holding you back from doing God’s will? Is there a sin you need to confess?
