Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
7 - Chapter 7
Nehemiah's project to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was successful. The schemes of the enemies to stop the work miserably failed. The sixth chapter of Nehemiah ended on a triumphant note of God's people. In verse 15 we read, "So the wall was completed on the twenty fifth of Elul, in fifty two days. When all our enemies lost all their self-confidence, because they realised that this work had been done with the help of our God".
We turn now to chapter seven. This chapter teaches us that the work that had been wonderfully completed also needed to be preserved, protected, maintained, and moved forward to even greater heights. Although the crafty plans of Satan had been defeated, the people of God could not relax. So it is for us, in our Christian warfare. The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 10 verse 12, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!". We must never let our guard down, or become complacent. Nehemiah put into place things that would keep the work of God stable and strong and that would move it on.
Verse 1 tells us the first thing that Nehemiah did, "After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed". The singers and the Levites were involved in organising the worship of God. God was put first and central in the life of the people. No work for the Lord will continue with any measure of blessing and success unless God is given His rightful place. The key to effective Christian living is a right relationship with the Lord. He must occupy that central place in your heart and mind.
The greatest protection the church can have is the worship of God. King Jehoshaphat of Judah had victory over his enemies. Why? The answer is in 2 Chronicles 20 verses 21 and 22, "Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendour of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying, ''give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures for ever'. As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated" Put God first. Worship and serve Him. Your witness will be effective, and your church will be blessed.
Nehemiah tells us the second thing that he did, "I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do". You'll have no cause for concern for the future of the work of God in your church and neighbourhood when godly men are appointed as your leaders. Men of integrity are men who honour God's word and live it out. Paul gave instructions to Titus about the appointment of leaders in the church. He said in Titus 1 verse 9, "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it". Are you such a person? Are such men in positions of leadership in your church fellowship?
To fear God isn't to be terrified of Him, but to serve Him and to submit to Him. When you fear God it will show in your attitude toward Him, and in your daily behaviour. You will want to please Him. You will defend His honour, and fight for His cause.
The third thing Nehemiah tells us he did to consolidate the work of God is found in verse 3, "Appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts, and some near their own houses". There was watchfulness at the gates of the city. The gatekeepers must not open the gates until midday. This was to ensure that everyone in the city was up and alert. If the gates were open early in the morning, as was normal, the enemy could lead a surprise attack. You see, the enemy of your souls will watch for the slightest indiscretion on your part. That unguarded moment. He will make the most of the opportunity to gain entrance and weaken and discredit the work. The Bible says in Ephesians 4 verse 27, "And do not give the Devil a foothold". Be warned - if you do he will take full advantage of it. Be careful what you listen to. Be careful what you look at. Make sure you listen to God's word, and that your eyes don't look anywhere unwholesome. All Satan wants is to pollute your mind and your soul.
The rest of chapter seven, contains a list of all those who returned to Jerusalem in the first return under Zerubbabel in 538 B.C. The list is a repetition of the list in the book of Ezra chapter two. The Psalmist said in Psalm 112 verse 6, "A righteous man will be remembered for ever".
God always remembers those who love Him. Nehemiah tells us in verses 4 and 5, "The city was large and spacious but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been built. So my God put it in my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the common people for registration by families". Verse 66 tells us, "The whole company numbered 42,360". This is only a fraction of the total number of Jews who were living in Babylon. The tribe of Judah alone had 47,000 soldiers.
It is often the case in the work of the Kingdom of God that only a few tend to be really concerned to see it built up and strengthened. Nehemiah knew that there were more people who could get involved at the heart of the work. Jerusalem lay virtually empty and Nehemiah tells us why in verse 6, "They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town". That may appear an acceptable thing to do. The problem was that Jerusalem needed workers to build houses and see the work develop. The church of Christ still faces this problem. There is room for everyone to get involved. The burden of the work seems to be carried by a faithful few. Only a small percentage seem to have the vision and concern. There are many on the outskirts who know of the need, but are too busy looking after their own personal affairs.
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2 verse 21, "For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ". When it comes to the work of God's kingdom, as verse 4 says, "There are few people in it". Someone once said, "The church is full of willing people - those willing to work and those will to let them!"
In verses 63 and 64 reference is made to the priests. The verses say, "And from among the priests, the descendants of Hobiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai --- these searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the Priesthood as unclean". John tells us on Revelation 1 verse 6 that Jesus Christ, "Has freed us from our sins by His blood and has made us a Kingdom of Priests to serve His God and Father". Without the cleansing of the blood of Christ you are 'unclean'. You are 'excluded' from fellowship with God, and from entering heaven one day.
The Bible says about heaven in Revelation 21 verse 27, "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does anything shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life". Will your name be found in God's heavenly list? Every person who has received Christ as Saviour is made a Priest unto the Lord. Have you been freed from your sins through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour and Friend? If not, then ask God to forgive you of your sins right now where you are. Repent, that is, say to God that you are sorry for your sins. Turn from them. Ask the Lord to make you into a real Christian. You can know today the joy of God's forgiveness and His presence and power in your life.