Return from Exile: Nehemiah 11 and 12 (1)

Pray Psalm 106.6, 48.
We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly…
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the LORD!

Sing Psalm 106.6.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
We have sinned, just like our fathers; we have done iniquity.
Just like them, our hearts have wandered; we have acted wickedly.
Refrain v. 48
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Read and meditate on Nehemiah 11.1-19.

Preparation
1. What was being decided in these verses?

2. Which tribes were represented in Jerusalem?

Meditation
We can imagine that it was quite an honor to be chosen to live in Jerusalem, what with those strong new walls and all. When the roll was announced of those who had won the lottery and agreed to live in the city (vv. 1, 2), we can imagine people cheering, high-fiving one another, and feeling all proud and glad to able to dwell among the big shots of Israel in their brand new city, take that Tobiah (v. 1; cf. vv. 10, 15, 19).

The blessing of all the rest of the people must have added to their sense of specialness (v. 2). Doubtless the names listed here were posted around the city. That would have added to the sense of pride they must have felt as they strolled about town. But these people from the tribes of Levi, Judah, and Benjamin should also have remembered that the wellbeing of the city depended on them, on their keeping the covenant they so happily entered with God (chs. 9, 10).

As we shall see, the people who came to dwell in Jerusalem were not as circumspect as they ought to have been. And when things began to go bad, and Nehemiah had to impose certain strict reforms, we can only wonder about how proud they might have been to have been exposed as the compromisers they were. Did some of them skulk about, scratching their names off the lists to avoid blame?

We don’t know. But responsibility for the covenant with God, so boldly and publicly entered, would have begun in the city. If the leaders and other citizens could not keep the promises they made to God, what hope was there for the people scattered throughout the land?

That dynamic has not changed today. Leaders of God’s people: Are you listening?

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
And those who are led? What of their responsibility? All of God’s people must be in the Word daily, to lead and to follow properly.

And just on the off chance that it was not an honor to be the one in ten who had to move back into Jerusalem, we are thankful, as those people were, for those today who do the onerous jobs that others do not want to do. “And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem” (Neh. 11.2).

The prophetess Deborah, who judged Israel, and the soldier Barak, sang a beautiful song together after their leadership, and the courage of the woman Jael, had brought a great victory to their people:
“When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!”
“My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!”
“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” (Judges 5.2, 9, 31)

When leaders lead courageously, people willingly follow with courage.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking both the leader and the followers’ power.

Think of Peter. Before he was filled with the Spirit he believed in Jesus. He used powerful words to express his belief. When Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered affirmatively, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16.16). In fact, he answered that question so well that Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” (Matt. 16.17-19).

On another occasion when Jesus asked His disciples if they also wanted to leave Him, Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6.68).

And then this: A servant girl, some men milling about a campfire, and a relative of the high priest’s servant all wondered out loud if Peter was a disciple of Jesus (Jn. 18.17-26). And he denied even knowing Him—three times (Lk. 22.61). And when the reality of what he had done registered in Peter’s heart, “he went out and wept bitterly” (Lk. 22.62). That was the end of Peter’s belief without the Holy Spirit.

The book of Acts is full of the courageous feats of Peter. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and never looked back. This man, history declares, was crucified upside-down for his faith because he did not feel worthy to die in the same way Jesus had. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5.17). How true!

Here is a bit of his first sermon: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2.36). No denials and plenty of truth to power!

Whether we are a leader or a follower, we can be filled with this Holy Spirit, to live life courageously to the full, regardless of the tasks given being onerous or “honorous”.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Rom. 8.11).

For reflection
1. In following Jesus, it all comes down to the Spirit. Why is this necessarily so?

2. What evidence should we be seeking of the Spirit’s Presence in our lives?

3. Who will be following your lead as you follow Jesus today?

Let us seek first the favor of God, and his glory; let us study to be patient, contented, and useful in our several stations, and wait, with cheerful hope, for admission into the holy city of God. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Nehemiah 11.1

Pray Psalm 106.7-45.
Praise God for His love and faithfulness. Recount His many wondrous works. Call upon Him to strengthen you for the work of this day.

Sing Psalm 106.7-45, 48.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
For Your love we have forgotten; we rebelled against Your grace.
Yet You save us by Your power, make us stand before Your face.
Refrain v. 48
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Though Your works we’re oft forgetting, and Your counsels we despise,
though we often try and test You, yet You hear our plaintive cries!
Refrain

Look upon us, LORD, with favor, see us in our sore distress!
Hear our cries, with love surround us; turn again to heal and bless.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

Two books can help us understand our own captivity and lead us to seek revival and renewal in the Lord. The Church Captive asks us to consider the ways the Church today has become captive to the world. And Revived! can help us find the way to renewal. Learn more and order your free copies by clicking here and here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available free by clicking here.