A Lesson on Diligence
Rubble to Restoration: A Study in Ezra and Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Vigilance is an essential skill in our lives. Vigilance means to keep watch, stay awake, to keenly watchful to detect danger. A vigilant person walks carefully throughout life, looking out for the pitfalls and dangers that might lie ahead. And as we walk throughout life we must be alert, attentive, cautiously on the lookout for any obstacles that might cause us to stumble, fall, or injure ourselves.
To be vigilant means that we are guarding ourselves against all the temptations and trials that life throws at us. Nehemiah and the exiles (sounds like a band name) completed the wall of Jerusalem, but that was just the first step in rebuilding the city and nation. There was still plenty of work to be done.
Not only did they need to be vigilant, and look out and be watchful… they needed to be diligent as well, which simply means: constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
vv. 15-19) Being diligent to persevere
vv. 15-19) Being diligent to persevere
The wall of Jerusalem was completed. Amazingly, the wall was completed in just 52 days. For nearly a century and a half the walls had laid in ruins.
But once the people were mobilized by God’s man, Nehemiah, the walls were completed in less than two months.
Despite the utter ruin of the city, the people worked hard, to the point of exhaustion, laboring day and night to finish the project.
Despite all the the vicious opposition from the leaders of surrounding provinces or districts, they triumphantly completed the wall. Through perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness, they finished their task.
The impact upon their enemies who had so viciously opposed the work was immediate. Firstly, they were disheartened and crushed in spirit. They had failed to stop the work of God. Their spiteful opposition had actually backfired and the returned exiles to complete the wall quicker in order to protect themselves.
Second, the leaders of the surrounding nations became frightened, because these exiles were now rebuilding Jerusalem. Moreover, it was evident that God was helping them. The project could never had been completed without the help of God.
From the very beginning of Nehemiah’s arrival, the surrounding nations were opposed to the rebuilding project. To reiterate, they were threatened… They were going to lose their political and economic influence.
And we see the extent of their hostility in the earlier chapters (4, 5, and 6).
One of their tactics was to write a letters that sought to tear down Nehemiah’s reputation and harm the rebuilding project. Throughout the entire two months of construction, letters of complaint flowed between the opponent Tobiah and some influential Jews who strongly opposed Nehemiah.
These Jews wanted to maintain strong relations with the surrounding nations , coveting trade and economic dealings with them. For this reason, they were loyal to the opposition. Obviously, these influential Jewish leaders had entered into business contracts with Tobiah and probably with some of the other surrounding nations.
In some cases these influential Jews who opposed Nehemiah were related to Tobiah through marriage. An example of this, Tobiah had personally married into the distinguished family of Shecaniah, having married his daughter:
18 For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
Tobiah’s son had actually married the daughter of one of the major workers on the wall, Meshullam, an influential leader who had built two sections of the wall:
4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.
But that’s not all, Tobiah had a close, influential relationship with the High Priest Eliashib, most likely due to a marriage relationship:
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah.
These Jew’s campaigned to undermine Nehemiah’s creditability and ruin the building project put undue pressure on Nehemiah. They promoted Tobiah’s reputation and did all they could to constrain Nehemiah to cooperate with their relative. In turn, they reported Nehemiah’s response and actions to Tobiah.
Tobiah himself kept constant pressure on Nehemiah by sending letters of complaint, seeking to intimidate him.
The point to see is the relentless pressure being put upon Nehemiah by the conspiracy of certain influential leaders. Yet Nehemiah persevered through all the attacks. He endured, stood fast, and triumphantly completed the task God had given him.
Application:
Perseverance is essential to complete any task the Lord sets before us. No matter what that task might be, we should continue until the job is finished.
Often, this is especially true when opposition arises. When people defy or disagree with us, there is a tendency to withdraw, to flee from the uncomfortable. And far too many of us stop when the going gets tough.
Here is a few scenarios that require perseverance in life:
Marriages.
Children obeying your parents.
If you are an employee, being a diligent working and being thankful for your job.
Leaders—we need to be leading from the front, setting a good example for those you lead.
Pastors need to persevere in their God-given responsibilities of teaching and equipping
Believers in evangelism
Family, every day we are given opportunities to do the work that God is calling us too, MINISTRY! and believe it or not, we must endure, stand fast, not give up, and persevere to accomplish what God is calling us to do.
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Ch. 7:1-5) Being diligent to secure protection
Ch. 7:1-5) Being diligent to secure protection
Immediately after completing the wall, Nehemiah appointed leaders to secure and protect the city. Then after setting the gates in place, he appointed the gatekeepers. These gatekeepers would usually guard the doors of the temple, but because of the continuing threat by the surrounding nations, Nehemiah appointed them to stand guard at the gates of the city.
Also Nehemiah assigned the singers and Levites, assistants to the priest, the additional duty of helping the gatekeepers guard the city. Of course, the additional religious workers at the gate meant a much greater number of guards to protect against any enemy trying to infiltrating the city.
[shepherds//watch dogs]
Next, Nehemiah appointed two military leaders, each one being assigned the responsibility for half of the city (3:9-12). One of these military officers was Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother. This was the brother who had originally brought the dark, dismal report back to Nehemiah when Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king.
The other military officer was Hananiah, who had earlier been appointed commander of the palace (3:8). He was now being given this important responsibility because he was a man of integrity who feared God more than most people did. In assigning their duties Nehemiah gave them a strong charge: they were to immediately set security measures in place (v.3). Rumor after rumor of an attack had been spreading throughout the countryside, almost from the day Nehemiah arrived.
[example of being a man of integrity]
The reason Nehemiah instructed them to make sure the gates were only opened after sunrise. Waiting until the sun had fully risen would make sure the citizens were all awake. This is so that they could not be caught off guard while sleeping. The two officers were also to organize a neighborhood watch, posting citizens on the wall either next to or near their own houses.
Every adult citizen was to be involved in protecting the city and securing his or her own property. If an attack came, these citizens would fight harder and more fiercely to protect their own families, homes, and property.
[example of being alert]
Although the walls had been rebuilt and guards were posted for security, there were still two vital needs: more people and more housing. There was simply not enough population to protect the city, and there was not enough housing for a large population to live within the city walls. As a result, Jerusalem was facing a critical situation.
At some point, the Lord aroused with Nehemiah the idea for a census. Accordingly, he assembled all the leadership together to present to them the need for additional population within Jerusalem (v.5). However, he wanted to make sure that the citizens within the city were of pure Jewish blood or descent. Through a census, pure-blooded Jews could be identified (11:1-24). A census would additionally show the distribution of the population throughout the nation, exactly how many citizens were living within each of the cities, towns, villages, and countryside.
Knowing the population’s distribution would help them prevent too many people from moving to Jerusalem from any one area. If too many residents moved from a particular area, that area would be weakened. Having received the leadership’s approval, Nehemiah launched a search of the genealogical records of those who had first returned from Babylonian captivity.
Application:
As believers, it isn’t enough to know that we are citizens of God’s kingdom. Although we may be saved and the war is won. The battle is not over. Once we have trusted Christ and become citizens of His kingdom, we still live here for the time being.
Heaven is our future residence, already bought and paid for. We are guaranteed the privilege of living in heaven once we leave this earth. However, until that day we continue here, exposed to the corruption of this world. Family, as long as we live here we will be spiritually and physically attacked. Temptation will confront us, and we will face trials, hardships, and suffering.
Perseverance is the name of the game and we are to hold fast to what God is calling each of us too. But there is a promise that he gives us… that He will never leave us or forsake us!
At no point will temptation, trails, hardships, physical violence remove you from the hand of God. Yes, all of those things that we face in life are overwhelming, God never promised you to give you something so difficult that you cannot handle… that is a lie.
What He promised is that in temptation there will be alway a way of escape. Another promise is that nothing will ever be able to snatch you out of the hand of God… Family, if you are truly saved you are eternally secure.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Encouragement:
14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
vv. 6-73) Being diligent to follow the example of the true pioneers of faith.
vv. 6-73) Being diligent to follow the example of the true pioneers of faith.
Verses 6-73 is a list of the exiles who returned from captivity in Babylon and Persia. These were true pioneers of faith, people who sought a new beginning and a new life in the promised land of God. Frankly, however, many people just skip over this passage instead of reading the long list of names. But is should alway be remembered that the people listed here were true ancestors of the faith.
They genuinely believed God and His promises. With all their hearts they trusted God, believing that He would fulfill His promise to send the future Messiah—who we know to be Jesus Christ—into the world.
These men and women believed God would preserve His Holy Word and His promise to restore the promised land to them. It was just such people that Nehemiah wanted as citizens of Jerusalem, people of strong faith and commitment in the promises of God.
This census or genealogy is essentially the same as the one found in Ezra 2:1-70. However, a few of the names and numbers differ. This doesn’t mean that the Holy Scripture is not inspired, that the Word has errors or contradictions. What is being reflected changes, there were those who died between the time of Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7.
Application:
These pioneers of the faith se t a dynamic example for us. Just as they believed and acted in faith, we too must believe in the Lord and trust Him to fulfill His promises. Only those who believe are accepted by God:
If we wish to be saved from sin, death, and hell, we must believe in the Lord:
15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
If we wish to be blessed by God and receive the promises of God, we must believe and trust Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Set the example for the next generation!
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Benediction:
Benediction:
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’