Neh 11_12

Obedience was not a precondition to salvation – God saved Israel from Egypt before He gave them the Law. - The first words of God as He began to give the people the Law I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Ex 20:2.

Obedience to the Law was expression of covenant relationship. It was not so much obedience to the Law but obedience to God who had Graciously called Israel to Himself. They were to Obey His voice! - He did not reveal His will to the people until He heard their declaration of complete and unconditional servitude to Him as covenant lord (Exod. 19:8).

and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. Ex 19:6–8.

Obedience to the Law was a precondition to Israel’s mission of being a kingdom of priest and holy nation as well as a precondition to their blessings.

5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” Ex 19:5–6.

Blessings of Being God’s special possession – Lev. 26:1-13, Deut. 28:1-4

The Law was a supreme act of graciousness – the other nations worshiped images made of wood, but Israel’s God had spoken to them revealing what He deemed as an acceptable response to Him. They knew How God would respond to their obedience…… with favor.

Baal worship – people had to try to entice Baal to respond to them – they didn’t know what was expected of them to get him to respond. – Sexual orgies – selling of children as temple sex slaves – cutting themselves. They had no Idea because Baal did not exist!

But God told Israel how to please Him….. faith and because of their faith they would obey the Lord. (Ps. 24:3-6, Deut. 6:20-25)

True obedience to the Law was a matter of the heart. Inward disposition of fear and faith…. Dr. Lucas’ story about his daughter and the car seat. I’m sitting down on the outside but on the inside I’m standing up. We can appear to obey and be found in contempt… True obedience is an inward disposition of fear and faith.

Conviction brought obedience - the feast of the tabernacle was restored

Confession of sin (Neh. 9)

Public prayer – Ezra summarized the entire history of God’s faithfulness bestowed upon Israel.

Covenant was made – act of turning away from disobedience and turning towards God. (9:38-10:39)

NEH. 11:1-2

It was necessary to get the Jews to live in the city, for both the good of the city and the glory of God. – - city was pretty desolate …… Jerusalem is the city God promised to set His name on.

To live in Jerusalem demanded faith.

Since Jerusalem had been devastated and was the point of great contention between the Jews and neighboring peoples, it was not an attractive nor a safe place in which to live in the fifth century B.C. Additionally, it can be understood that people would not be anxious to abandon their farms and jeopardize their landholdings. IVP BACKGROUND Ne 11:1–2.

The leaders were dwelling in the city, but now they wanted the citizens to join them, so they cast lots and moved one out of ten into the city.

The mere fact that lots were cast implies that some were forced to live in Jerusalem. Lot casting was considered in the ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean world as a way of allowing God to determine the fate of a certain situation IVP BACKGROUND Ne 11:1–2.

Verse 2 indicates that there were also some volunteers.

Nehemiah 11:3-19 people who moved into Jerusalem

The numbers in vv. 3–19 total 3,044.

If this represented 10 percent of the male population, we can see how small the remnant was in the land. 30,000 men

Some Scholars believe the Population of Judah before exile was 120,000 to 150,000 and the population of Jerusalem range between 15,000 and 25,000 people.

Many stayed in Persia – book of Esther.

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you are willing to stay, and cost you more than you are willing to pay.

We see a once great nation – over 1,000,000 during the exodus dwindle down to a small remnant.

But God has not wiped Israel off of the earth, He has been faithful to the remnant. He still is faithful and His name is still set on Jerusalem.

Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness God proves faithful Neh. 9- Ezra claims this.

Neh. 11:20-36 Those who lived outside of Jerusalem.

12:1-21 Census of priest and Levites who lived outside who returned with Zerubbabel

12:22-26 Chief Levites

12:27 -47 READ! Dedication of the wall.

Note the mention of singers (vv.11: 22–23). The Jews had no song during their years of exile (Ps. 137), but now they had the joy of the Lord as their strength.

1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion. 2 Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. 3 For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” 4 How can we sing the LORD’S song In a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom The day of Jerusalem, Who said, “Raze it, raze it To its very foundation.” 8 O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you With the recompense with which you have repaid us. 9 How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock. Ps 137.

12:27–47. Ezra and Nehemiah divided the people into two great companies, with Ezra leading one and Nehemiah following the other (see vv. 31, 36, 38).

They started probably at the valley gate. Ezra led his company along the east side of the city, then north to the temple area. Nehemiah and his company went straight north and then east, meeting the other company at the temple area.

It was a reminder, perhaps, of when Israel marched around Jericho and won a great victory. It was also an opportunity to publicly thank the Lord as they witnessed the work accomplished.

Verse 43 indicates that the joy of the city was heard miles away. What a day of dedication that was! When dedicated people unite joyfully to dedicate God’s work, they will always experience God’s blessing.

Faithful work, they accomplished the task set before them. Joy was found in accomplishing God’s task. Building to Dedication.

May we be found faithful in accomplishing God’s work set before us.

What is that work?

Not building a wall but a kingdom…. We are to be kingdom builders for Jesus. He will build through us but we are His hands and feet in the community and ultimately in this world.

Nehemiah led the physical building and Ezra led the spiritual building. We need both and often times we need to be both a Nehemiah and an Ezra.

We must remember that our work is not done and it will not be done until Jesus returns. So we have a task to be faithful for the duration. Day in and day out.

Train the generations who come after us.

How can we be consonantly faithful in our task? We will face dry times, times of hardship, possibly persecution….. But, when we come together united as one encouraging one another, praying for one another, sharing the load with one another we can stand and be found faithful.

My strengths can help cover your weaknesses and your strength can make up for my weaknesses but we must stand and labor together.

I am convinced that when the Church is united and faithfully carrying out Jesus’ command to fulfill the great commission there will be Joy to be found a song singing in our hearts that will be heard far away.

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