Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
11 - Chapter 11
We turn our attention now to chapter 11 of the book of Nehemiah. This eleventh chapter picks up from where chapter 7 left off. Remember that Nehemiah had called for the Jews who lived in the outlying areas of Jerusalem to return to live in the city itself. Nehemiah said in chapter 7 verse 4, "The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been built". At the beginning of the eleventh chapter we read in verse 1, "Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring out of every ten to live in Jerusalem".
The three chapters between, chapters 8 to 10, covered a period of one month during which the people celebrated the feast of Tabernacles. This one month delay to populate Jerusalem was an important one. The people were moving right into the heart of the work. Spiritual preparation is so important if any believer is going to be effective in the service of the Lord. We need to be in a right relationship with God. This includes hearing God's word and understanding it. That was the theme of chapter 8. There must be confession of sin, and a willingness to forsake it. That was the theme in chapter 9. Then we must purpose in our hearts to do God's word and apply it in a practical way to our lives. That was the theme in chapter 10. Then we are ready for everything and anything that might face us in the work of God. We are also in a position for God to use us.
The Apostle Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2 verse 21, "He will be an instrument for noble purposes made holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work". This will only be so when God's word is central in our lives, when we are daily cleansed from sin, and, when we live a life of obedience.
Nehemiah wasn't a hypocrite. What he asked others to do he did himself. Chapter 11 verse 1 tells us that, "The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem". If you're called to a position of leadership in your church then you must be an example to your fellow Christians. In the gospel of John chapter 13 the Lord Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. He says in verse 15, "I have set you an example that you should do as I Have done for you". Jesus Christ was the greatest leader of all. He never asked His followers to do anything He wasn't prepared to do Himself. Paul wrote to Timothy, a young Christian leader. He said in 1 Timothy 4 verse 12, "Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity".
The response to Nehemiah's invitation to the people to come and live at the heart of the work in Jerusalem was overwhelming. Everyone was keen to get involved! Nehemiah decided to cast lots. One in every ten people would move to live in the city. There is nothing more pleasing to God and encouraging for Christian leaders, than when there is an enthusiastic response to a request for help in the church. Such was their eagerness that the people were falling over themselves to get involved! Have you the same enthusiasm that burned in the heart of Charles Wesley when he wrote the hymn, "O Thou who camest from above”? He said in the third verse, "Jesus confirm my heart’s desire to work, and think, and speak for You", and in the last verse he wrote, "Ready for all Your perfect will, my acts of love and repeat, till death Your endless mercies seal, and make the sacrifice complete".
Verses 2 to 19 of chapter 11 record the names of those who came to live in the city of Jerusalem. There were 468 descendants of Judah. Verse 6 describes them as 'brave men'. It certainly takes some courage to be at the centre of the work of God. Many evil forces are set against the believer who wants to be of service to the Lord. Joshua had to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He would face danger and difficulty. God said to him in Joshua 1 verse 7, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go". That promise is for your comfort too.
There were nine hundred and twenty-eight men of Benjamin. Verse 9 tells us that, "Joel was their chief officer, and Judah was over the second district of the city". Nehemiah put capable people in charge of the administration of God's work. As a leader Nehemiah revealed real discernment. He knew the people. He recognised their gifts. He put them where they would be used best for the glory of God. The same discernment is required of Christian leaders in every age. Paul gave Titus a challenging Job. He said in Titus 1 verse 5, "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint Elders in every town". Christian leaders need to be prayerful as they try to shape the church into a God glorifying community of believers.
Verses 10 to 18 record the appointment of the temple workers. Verse 11 tells us that the priests, "Carried on work for the temple", and in verse 15, "the Levites -had charge of the outside work of the house of God". Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2 verse 9 that now every believer belongs to "A royal priesthood". John reminds us in Revelation 1 verse 6, that Christ has made us a "Kingdom of priests". Some say that you don't need to go to church to be a Christian. That is simply an excuse to avoid going!
It is as natural as breathing for a Christian to attend God's house. David said in Psalm 122 verse 1, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord' ". The words of the hymn writer express the feeling of all true Christians, "We love the place O God, wherein Thine honour dwells". Those who know the Lord want to join with others of like mind to worship Him and to hear His word preached. Worshipping together has always been a mark of God's people. Verse 17 refers to, "Mattaniah - the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer".
In verse 19 gatekeepers are given their responsibility to keep watch at the gates of the city. They ensured that nothing came into the city that would hinder the work and that would spoil the worship and progress.
The rest of chapter 11, verse 20 to 36 lists the names of all those who were not chosen by lot and who stayed living outside Jerusalem. Verse 20 tells us, "The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on his ancestral property". They weren't at the centre of things but their contribution was just as vital. They grew the crops to feed the city people. They tended the sheep for the temple sacrifices. They were working behind the scenes.
Maybe your contribution to your church is cleaning, gardening, making tea, decorating, or tidying up after a service. It's just as much part of the work of God as any other job in God's house. David said in Psalm 84 v 10, "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked". God will reward your faithfulness. I trust you will be about your heavenly Father's business wherever He has put you to work for Him.