The Book of nehemiah

Chapter 11

Nehemiah 11: [1] And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

The people have made a pledge of their commitment to GOD in word and writing.

1) Restoring the City Vs 1

For a city to prosper it must be populated. A city under populated is in danger subject to attack by enemy.

For 70 years Jerusalem had been barren and sparse whilst the people were in captivity.

The temple was destroyed, the walls were broken and the gates were burned with fire.

Upon return from the exile in Babylon, the area is slowly repopulated over a period of 80 years.

The people rebuild the temple, the city walls are rebuilt.

But why have a temple and city walls without a people to occupy.

It was in the heart of GOD to see the city of Jerusalem (the holy city) repopulated.

2) Repopulating the Citizenship Vs 1

A. The Leaders Dwelt at Jerusalem

The leaders were an example to the people.

The leaders were an encouragement to the people

The rulers were a pattern for the common people to live by.

1 Pet 5:[1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:[2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

3) Requirements of Citizens Vs 1

A. The Lot Demanded Residence at Jerusalem

Many of the common people were happy living just outside the city.

They did not want the involvement of holy living.

No doubt these people were visited, pled to and invited over and over again to live inside the city walls.

But they would not willingly cooperate.

The child of GOD did not want to serve the LORD.

Nehemiah started a casting of the lot that caused 1 of every 10 to submit to residence inside the city.

Prov 16:[33] The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

It is the Sovereignty of GOD that decides, not happenstance.

Friend if you are really saved but will not serve GOD, you will answer to HIM one day.

GOD may put you in a situation that requires you to turn to HIM now (maybe through the church).

Nehemiah 11: [2] And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

4) Residing Citizens Vs 2

A. The Loving Desired Residence at Jerusalem

These people were surrendered to the work of GOD.

They had a Holy Calling, wanted Holy Living in the Holy City.

Is 48:[2] For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

The greatest asset to the work of GOD is a yielded life.

They are willing and do not need to be begged to attend.

5) Recruiting Citizens Vs 2

A. The Living Difficulties of Residency at Jerusalem

Zech 4:[10] For who hath despised the day of small things?

These willingly offered themselves to take what was small and build it up. These were specially blessed

Jerusalem was struggling to exist. Living was difficult and sacrificial.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant giving up lands and possessions outside the city.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant giving up acquaintances, friends and family outside the city.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant becoming a target of the enemy.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant enduring problems.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant expectation to work.

-To reside in Jerusalem meant accepting the commission to go out and recruit others to live in the city.

These are commissioned to “GO”!

This all speaks of the church.

You and I have been commissioned by Jesus.

Mark 16:[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

We have:

1) An Unrelenting “GO” - Don’t stop inviting, don’t give up

2) An Unrivaled “GOD” - GOD said “go”.

3) A Universal “GOAL” - Share the word with all the world.

4) An Unrestricted “GOSPEL”- 2 Tim 2:9 the word of God is not bound.

5) An Unrestrained “GOOD” - “He that believeth….. shall be saved”

Luke 14:[16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: [17] And

sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

[18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a

piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. [19] And another said, I

have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. [20] And another

said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. [21] So that servant came, and shewed his

lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into

the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the

blind.[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to

come in, that my house may be filled.[24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were

bidden shall taste of my supper.

This holy city Jerusalem speaks of the City, New JERUSALEM which is the future home for the church.

Rev 21:[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband

*The LORD wanted Nehemiah to repopulate the city of Jerusalem and its 4 miles in circumference

*This would aid in defense of the city.

*The City of New Jerusalem is 1500 miles cubed. GOD wants HIS city populated for Delight!

Nehemiah 11: [3] Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants. [4] And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
[5] And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. [6] All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. [7] And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. [8] And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. [9] And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

6) Register of Citizens Vs 3-24

Nehemiah gives an extensive list of citizens in Jerusalem.

This list established their identity as the people of GOD.

A. Leaders 3-9

Nehemiah 11: [10] Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. [11] Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. [12] And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, [13] And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, [14] And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.

B. Lord’s Priests 10-14

Nehemiah 11: [15] Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; [16] And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. [17] And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. [18] All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

C. Levites 15-18

Nehemiah 11: [19] Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.

D. Lawful Porters 19

Nehemiah 11: [20] And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. [21] But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. [22] The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. [23] For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. [24] And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.

E. Loving Servants 20-24

Nehemiah 11: [25] And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof, [26] And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet, [27] And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages thereof, [28] And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
[29] And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, [30] Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom. [31] The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, [32] And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, [33] Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
[34] Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, [35] Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. [36] And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.

7) Record of Communities Vs 25-36

Nehemiah gives an extensive list of communities in Judah. These lists is very meaningful to the Jews

A. Little Villages 25-36