Step 4—Rebuilding through strengthening the people

Introduction:

This morning we are going to be moving rather quickly through these two chapters.

We have been going through several different steps of establishing a solid foundation and live up to our created potential.

Step 1—rebuilding through God’s Word

Step 2—rebuilding through seeking God

Step 3—rebuilding through commitment

For Nehemiah and the exiles consider what it took to build a strong nation that wants to love and serve their God. But what makes up a godly nation?

Its the citizens, its the people. As the people go so does the nation.

Can you feel the weight of the problem confronting Nehemiah? How could Jerusalem and the rest of the nation be built to last, when the people were weak, with few assets and resources? A people who were being bitterly opposed and treated as hostel enemies by the surrounding nations?

After completing, what was thought impossible, rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days. Nehemiah sought to strengthen by focusing their lives upon God’s Word, upon obeying His precepts. Strengthening them to seek the Lord with a renewed zeal and commitment.

This morning we are going to see how God is going to use Nehemiah to strengthen the people through encouragement and admonishment: rebuilding through exhortation.

11:1-12:26) The resettling of Jerusalem: a need for the people to settle and serve the most needed places

In this first part of our passage this morning there are 7 major story points that we need to cover.

There was a need to resettle Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 7:4 NKJV

4 Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt.

The leaders already lived there.

Some were selected by lots to move there: One-tenth

Other volunteered to move and were commended.

The descendants of various family leaders who settled Jerusalem.

The family leaders from the tribe of Judah: Their descendants totaled 468 men.

The family leaders from the tribe of Benjamin: Their descendants totaled 928.

APPLICATION: Seeing the names of these leaders who helped tackle some major problems should be a strong reminder that every community desperately needs godly leaders.

2 Samuel 23:3 NKJV

3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.

The priestly families who settled in Jerusalem.

The first family totaled 822 priests: these worked at the temple

The second family totaled 242 priests

The third family totaled 128: these are said to be men of valor, courage

APPLICATION: For those of you being called to one day be a pastor, elder, or a teacher within the church: this passage that talks about 1192 priest that were devoted to the Lord’s house, we should be devoted to it at well

Acts 20:28 NKJV

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:31 NKJV

31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

The Levites families who settled in Jerusalem:

The families in charge of outside maintenance work of the temple

The director and his associate who led in thanksgiving and prayer: Mattaniah and Bakbukiah

The total Levites: 284 total

The total Levite gatekeepers who settled in Jerusalem: 172

APPLICATION: With all their different duties, the Levites are a reminder that associates are essential n the house of God.

Without co-worker, co-laborers the church suffers. For this reason, the Lord has given special gifts to HIs people. The challenge of the hour is for us to use our gifts and abilities to the fullest in all our efforts, at our place of occupation, in the church, and in our homes.

[Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4]

The other things Nehemiah records about the returned exiles:

The rest of the returnees settled on their ancestral property.

The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel

The chief officer/administrator of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi: He was a musician

The singers were supported by the Persian king: so they would pray for him [Ezra 6:8-10; 7:20-24]

Application: God has appointed over each of us civil leaders, and we need to be praying for them. This does not mean that you have to agree with their policies or their ideologies… But if you are unwilling to lift them up before the Father, of whom they are going to be held accountable with, you definitely cannot complain about them.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

For further study [Romans 13; 1 Peter 2]

The kings agent was Pethahiah, who represented the people before the Persian king

This should remind us that all civil leaders are God’s ministers [Romans 13:1-7] and they will be held accountable.

The list of cities throughout the nation where the rest of the people lived: these were the cities from which one of every ten citizens was selected to repopulate Jerusalem.

The cities of Judah

The cities of Benjamin

Some Levites who lived in Judah moved to Benjamin: where more needed there

The list of priest and Levites during different generations of the returned exiles

The priest families who returned with the first exiles under Zerubbabel

A reminder that some ministers are pioneers of faith.

The Levite families who returned with the first exiles

The line of High Priests: Jeshua (time of Haggai and Zechariah); Joiakim (time of Ezra); Eliashib (time of Nehemiah).

The list of priestly families during the days of Joiakim the High Priest: This was the second generation of priests after the return.

Additional facts:

Levite family leaders were recorded during the reign of King Darius (Daniel and the Lion’s den)

The musicians were organized as prescribed by King David.

The gatekeepers who protected the temple and its treasury during the day of Nehemiah are listed.

Application: There is a major lesson for us to learn from the resettling of Jerusalem: we need to serve in the most-needed places.

I’m sure you see that there is a need within our church that is not being met. There is a need to maintain the property and building, and to serve as technicians, musicians, office staff, ministerial staff, Sunday-school teachers, and volunteers.

If God has called you to be apart of our church here, then you have skills and gifts that we desperately need.

Matthew 9:37–38 NKJV

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

12:27-43) The dedication of the wall: a need for the people to have a positive and joyful attitude

Nehemiah’s summons for the religious personnel to gather and prepare for the dedication celebration.

The Levites were summoned from everywhere

The Levite singers around Jerusalem were summoned

The priest and Levites dedicated or ceremonially cleansed themselves, the people, the gates, and the wall.

Nehemiah’s division of the leaders and musicians into two processional groups: He led them all to the top of the wall

One group walked on top of the wall to the right toward the Dung Gate

They played musical instruments and sang as they walked in the dedication processional while being led by Ezra.

They would see the results of their hard labor: the Dung Gate, Fountain Gate, the steps that led to the city of David, and the Water gate.

The second group walked in the opposite direction

They were led by Nehemiah

They saw the results of their labor too. Seeing the Tower of the Ovens, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, th Tower of the Hundred, and the Sheep Gate. While stopping at the Prison gate.

Nehemiah’s worship service: HE had ordered the two processional groups to meet at the temple to worships

The choirs, officials, priests, and Nehemiah took their places

The choir sang

The worshippers offered many sacrifices

The people rejoiced greatly—this included the women and children: all were flooded with joy.

The celebration was so loud that it could be heard a far off.

Application: In order to continue building the city of Jerusalem and the nation, Nehemiah needed to cultivate within the people a positive and joyful attitude.

And this was one of the main reason that he organized the dedication service and the processional on top of the wall.

What a lesson for us! We, too, have to be developing that same type of attitude. I’m not trying to sell you some mumbo-jumbo that you should only be thinking positive thought, new age garbage...

But I do believe that a Christian with no joy has been misguided or mislead to believe in a lie.

When we have such a great God who has proved Himself time and time again in your life, to have saved you and purchased you … and all you do is complain and whine???????? NOOOOO! Stop it you are making it all about you and guess what its not about you!

Colossians 3:1–3 NKJV

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

12:44-47) The organization for permanent worship: a need for everyone to be faithful, consistent in their callings

The appointed of the custodians over the offerings and the tithes: the people were to provide food and money to support the priests and Levites.

The ministry of the priest and Levites: Performed their services faithfully.

The service of the singers and gatekeepers: Faithfully performed their services.

Followed the duties as outlined by David and Solomon

Followed the custom of having choir directors as outlined by David and Asaph.

The faithfulness of the people in supporting the priests and Levites

Were faithful in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah

Were faithful in supporting the Levites in the other cities.

APPLICATION: I think we probably understand that God’s people need to be faithful and consistent in their duty. No task gets accomplished without diligent work.

I think we also realize that being loyal and reliable are essential in order to achieve anything worthwhile in life.

As believers we must be faithful in the task assigned us.

Family as ministers of the Gospel, prove yourself faithful. Be diligent is serving your Lord.

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Husband and Fathers, lead from the front set the example of Christ in your family. It is not to late.

Wives and Moms, lovingly submit to your husbands. Helping your husband serve Jesus together and if you have kids raise them together showing them what it means to leave a legacy of being a devout follower of Jesus.

Singles: I have yet to meet someone who has the call of celibacy… So prepare yourselves to be the godly man or woman your future spouse needs you to be. You also are in a unique state in life, and can devote yourself to more of the work of the ministry.

Students be faithfully studying and applying yourself.

Children, be obedient to your parents.

Family we are all called to share our faith, so evangelism and discipleship is essential.

Benediction:

Psalm 48:12–14 NKJV

12 Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers; 13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following. 14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.