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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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NEHEMIAH’S
REFORMS: THE POPULATION IN JERUSALEM (Neh 11:1‑36) 9/12/10 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. NEHEMIAH RELOCATES MORE
JEWS TO JERUSALEM (1‑2) [Intro] 1. Now that
Nehemiah had been used by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Ch. 1‑7),
and both Nehemiah and Ezra had been used by God to lead a revival among the
nation (Ch. 8‑10), the remaining chapters (11‑13) deal with the
reforms of Nehemiah. 2. The first reform we see Nehemiah perform
is bringing more Jews into the city of Jerusalem. At that time, it was mostly
the city official and priests that lived in the city. 3. There are three sections to chapter 11.
The first is from 11:1‑2 where Nehemiah devises a plan to relocate more
Jews into the city. The second section is found in 11:3‑24 where Nehemiah
lists all those who lived in Jerusalem. In the third section, Nehemiah lists
the villages outside Jerusalem that was inhabited by the remaining Jews (25‑26). B. [11:1] 1. The
problem of having too small a Jewish population in Jerusalem was previously
mentioned in Ne 7:4. But in Ch. 11, Nehemiah takes steps to reform that
problem. 2. Nehemiah’s plan was to make sure that one
tenth of the Jews lived in the city. The remaining “nine‑tenths” (tisha
‑ nine, yad ‑ hands, or nine parts) would live outside the
city. Nehemiah did not bring everyone into the city because there would not
have been enough room. Also, Nehemiah did not want to disturb the important
commerce from the Jewish farmers, fishermen, and olive growers, etc. 3. Nehemiah had the citizens “cast lots.”
Those to whom the lot fell were to live in the city. Casting lots was one of
the ways (Urim and Thummim, Nu 27:21 was another) in which God decided issues
and lead His people (Pr 16:33; 18:18). Casting lots was performed numerous
times throughout Israel’s history. Today believer’s have the Word of God and
the Holy Spirit to guide them. 4. Jerusalem is called the “holy city” (qodesh
ayar, city that is sacred and set apart) which shows not only the Jews’
love for Jerusalem, but their understanding that it had been set apart by God
also. C. [11:2] 1. All the
people were in favor of this reform and they blessed those who volunteered.
Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the Jews understood how important this reform
was for the prolongation of the nation. 2. The “volunteering” (nadab ‑
incite, impel, freewill as in offering) may have been individuals who did
not need to cast lots because they volunteered to move to the city. On the other
hand, it could have been that those to whom the lot
fell, willingly consented to move into the city. II. NEHEMIAH LISTED THOSE WHO
MOVED TO JERUSALEM (3‑24) A. [11:3‑9] Officials living in Jerusalem 1. [11:3] Many were officials (rosh ‑ head)
who lived in Jerusalem. However, many of the Israelites, the priests, the
Levites, the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants lived
on their own property in cities outside of Jerusalem. 2. [11:4]
Some were from Judah’s lineage (sons of Judah). Athaiah was one of the
sons of Perez. Perez was a son of Judah and Tamar (Ge 38:29). 3. [11:7]
Some were from the lineage of Benjamin who were living in Jerusalem. B. [11:10‑14] Priests living in Jerusalem 1. [11:10] There were priests who also lived in
Jerusalem. 2. [11:12]
Some of their kinsmen worked on the Temple under Zerubbabel and Ezra. 3. [11:13]
Adaiah’s kinsmen, who were the heads of the households, lived in
Jerusalem. 4. [11:14]
Amashsai’s brothers, who were valiant men, lived in Jerusalem. C. [11:15‑18] Levites
living in Jerusalem 1. [11:16] Shabbethai and Jozabad were leaders of the
Levites, were in charge of the outside work of the house of God, and also
explained the law to the people (Ne 8:7). 2. [11;17] Mattaniah began a liturgical prayer of
thanksgiving. D. [11:19‑20] Gatekeepers living in Jerusalem E. [11:21]
Temple servants living in Jerusalem 1. They
lived in the part of the city called Ophel (cp. Ne 3:26‑27), 2. Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of the
servants. F. [11:22‑24] Uzzi, the overseer of the Levites lived in
Jerusalem. He was from the linage of Asaph, from whom
were the singers of the house of God. David was the king that commanded that
there be song leaders (1Ch 25:1; cp. Ne 12:24). . III. NEHEMIAH LISTED THE TOWNS
OUTSIDE JERUSALEM (25‑36) IV. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS A. Leadership views the needs
of the group according to the main goal of edification (Ne 11:1). 1. Wise
leadership is able to look at not only the minute details, but also the big
picture. It is the big picture that seems to so easily elude leadership and
those under their authority. 2. Looking at only the details from one
point of view is good when the direction has been decided and the work
commences. However, details from only one point of view
does not take into consideration the main goal or the needs of the
whole group. 3. The main goal for the church is to grow
spiritually (Mt 28:19‑20; Ro 15:2; 1Co 14:26; Ep 4:29 ‑ “oikodomến
‑ the process of building up God’s people, the church, spiritually).
When we are focused on that main goal, all of the other details seem
insignificant. If we find ourselves always getting irritated at the little
things, it could be because we are not focusing on the one major thing,
edification. B. Leadership is aware of the
needs of the group and those who can meet them (Ne 11:1) 1. Leadership
ought to have the discernment to locate and relocate individuals to meet the
needs of the whole group. 2. It is reminiscent of Nehemiah’s plan to
have armed men by all the breaches of the wall. When one breach was under
attack, a trumpet was sounded and the forces ran to that particular area. 3. So it is with positions within the
church. Wise leadership desires the right people in the proper positions.
Sometimes it is because a particular area needs special attention. Other
times it is because a particular position is indispensable to the church. 4. Spiritual gifts are a major consideration
when placing people in the right location. On the GBC membership form, there
is a space to fill in areas where you believe you are spiritually gifted. C. Leadership is able to spur
on volunteers, who are so paramount to success (Ne 11:2). 1. Even
though spiritual gifts are absolutely necessary to fill particular positions
within the church, sometimes needs arise that are so important that
volunteers must step up. 2. We may believe that we are comfortable
with a particular age group, but God may be calling us to temporarily fill in
a different place or may be stretching our own spiritual lives. 3. Spirit‑led volunteerism is the
backbone of New Testament ministry. Services must go on. Classes must be
taught. Work must be done. Without volunteers the task becomes impossible. 4. The Lord Jesus Christ was the supreme
example of spirit‑led volunteerism (Jn 10:11, 18; Phil 2:8; He 10:5‑10). D. Leadership is indebted to
those who persevere through the years in service to the Lord (Ne 11:12). 1. Wise
leadership is keenly aware of the accomplishments of those who persevered
before them. 2. Sometimes long‑term commitment goes
unnoticed because the individual is so faithful, everyone has taken it for
granted. 3. A wise leader recognizes the platform he
stands upon was built by others years ago. 4. The greatest platform is a platform like
the one Nehemiah used to preach the Word. Preaching the Word is the most
important platform in the church, but sadly it is one that is quickly
deteriorating in the church today. |
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