Nehemiah 7: "Roll the Credits"

1 When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. 3 I said to them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and let the doors be shut and securely fastened while the guards are on duty. Station the citizens of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their homes.” 4 The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses had been built yet. 5 Then my God put it into my mind to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who came back first, and I found the following written in it:

ROLL THE CREDITS

I would like to begin this study by recognizing those involved in the rebuilding, repopulating and those who are too often overlooked from the remanats returning from captivity to Jerusalem.

I stated last week that I really wanted to go in depth..and so it seems we will unravel and study this chapter to see those on the “credits” and realize that no matter who you are, God knows you and knows your heart and your place in Kingdom Building.

Eugene Petersen wrote these challenging words in his book entitled Run with the Horses:

Now when the wall was rebuilt and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed, 2then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. 3Then I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot, and while they are standing guard, let them shut and bolt the doors. Also appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.” 4Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built. 5Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogies. Then I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up first in which I found the following record:

—

Eugene Petersen wrote these challenging words in his book entitled Run with the Horses:

There is little to admire and less to imitate in the people who are prominent in our culture. We have celebrities but not saints. Neither the adventure of goodness nor the pursuit of righteousness gets headlines. If, on the other hand, we look around for what it means to be a person of integrity, we don’t find much. They aren’t easy to pick out. No journalist interviews them. No talk show features them. They’re not admired. They’re not looked up to. They do not set trends. There is no cash value in them. No Oscars are given for integrity. At year’s end, no one compiles a list of “The Ten Best-Lived Lives.”

The world does not notice lives that ought to be noticed. For the most part, neither does the Church. Frankly, part of our fallen nature, as people, is to take each other for granted and to ignore the accomplishments and service that benefit all of us. They are all around us, but we rarely notice.

Take mothers, for example—I recently read the following:

A man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the dirt with empty cookies boxes and candy wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door to his wife’s SUV was open, as was the front door to the house. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over and the throw rug was wadded up against one wall. In the family room, the TV was loudly blaring, and the living room was littered with toys and items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was scattered on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly ran upstairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife, worried that she was ill or that something serious had happened. He discovered her in the bedroom, still curled up in bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. There was a half-eaten bagel and two coffee cups on the bedside stand. She looked up and asked how his day went. He looked at her, bewildered, and asked, “What happened here today?”

She smiled and answered, “You know, every day when you come home from work, you ask me what in the world did I do all day? Well, today I didn’t do it.”

It’s unfortunate and yet true that even those closest to you will never fully comprehend the scope of your labor and toil, nor will they take the time to discover it.

I find it absolutely fascinating that at the end of chapter six, when the show is over, so to speak, and the walls are built, Nehemiah takes time to roll the credits. The list is long and most of the names are unpronounceable. But there are some gems tucked inside these credits that God considers profitable for every student of the Bible. So, before you are tempted to pick up your popcorn bucket and candy wrappers, let’s take time to notice some of the men and women who were part of this incredible story of God’s faithfulness.

We will concentrate on but also keep our finger at , which has another divinely inspired list of names and numbers—all representing many behind-the-scenes people who finished the Jerusalem project.

So, let’s take time to “Roll the Credits”...

SINGERS

Nehemiah 7:1–2 CSB

Nehemiah 11:22–23 CSB

22 The leader of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the descendants of Asaph, who were singers for the service of God’s house. 23 There was, in fact, a command of the king regarding them, and an ordinance regulating the singers’ daily tasks.

Last week you had questions about the singers. So did I. As I personally studied this out, multiple commentaries shared this perspective. I truly see this as solid.

Remember, for years the people of Israel had been in captivity, and then for a century beyond that, had been in a foreign land. During this time, all singing had ceased. In fact, tells us that they sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon. They hung up their harps on the branches of the willow trees and stopped singing. Yet in the Book of Nehemiah, they began once again tuning up their instruments. It is noteworthy that Nehemiah makes eight references to giving thanks to God through song. Think on this: “Music is not incidental to worship—it is essential to worship.”

[T]he sons of Asaph, who were the singers for the service of the house of God. For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day ().

Also, during the time of entering the promised land, singers and vocal worship led the armies first into battle. They produced a foundation of true worship to God. This too focused on Who was the One to worship.

Remember, for years the people of Israel had been in captivity, and then for a century beyond that, had been in a foreign land. During this time, all singing had ceased. In fact, tells us that they sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon. They hung up their harps on the branches of the willow trees and stopped singing. Yet in the Book of Nehemiah, they began once again tuning up their instruments. It is noteworthy that Nehemiah makes eight references to giving thanks to God through song. Music is not incidental to worship—it is essential to worship.

On the occasion of Dallas Theological Seminary’s fiftieth anniversary, the seminary published a special hymnal titled Hymns of Jubilee. Dr. Edwin Deibler wrote the following prologue in the hymnal:

From earliest times, the people of God have employed music to give expression of their adoration of the triune God. Succeeding generations of Christians, to our present day, have adopted poetry set to music to express their adoration, praise, aspirations, and prayer. Often, perhaps nearly always, such expressions have exceeded in intensity the actual lifestyles of the congregations who employed them. If Christian experience were, even for a period of one week, brought to the level of Christian hymns, a great revival would sweep over the world.

I find it fascinating that before revival occurs in , choir memberships are renewed in chapter seven.

GATEKEEPERS

While the singers provided the praise for the city of Jerusalem, the gatekeepers provided protection:

Nehemiah 11:19 CSB

19 The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their relatives, who guarded the city gates: 172.

Can you imagine the following conversation:

I can imagine the following conversation:

“Hey, Akkub and Talmon, what great role do you play in the kingdom?”

“We open and shut the gates, and then, we watch to make sure nobody gets in who shouldn’t.”

Imagine 172 keepers at the gate.

The Great Wall of China was breached by invaders at various times. Most famously, Genghis Khan reportedly said, “The strength of the wall depends on the courage of those who defend it” and then breached it by bribing a sentry.

Gates are only as good as the character of the guards.

Were you aware that every believer in Christ is also a gatekeeper?

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, also wrote a book entitled The Holy War. In that book he talked about Mansoul, a city with five gates. The gates were:

1. The Ear Gate

2. The Eye Gate

3. The Nose Gate

4. The Feel Gate

5. The Mouth Gate

The enemy of Mansoul daily attacked at one of the gates. He spoke through the Ear Gate or painted vivid and alluring pictures for the Eye Gate. The interesting thing is that Mansoul, the city in Bunyan’s allegory, could never be toppled by outside attacks. The only way it could be conquered was if someone on the inside opened one of the gates to the enemy.

Solomon warned,

Proverbs 4:23 CSB

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life ().

In other words, guard carefully what you allow through the gates of your life that will ultimately impact your heart and soul. Be a diligent, vigilant gatekeeper.

In other words, guard carefully what you allow through the gates of your life that will ultimately impact your heart and soul.

Be a diligent, vigilant gatekeeper.

ADMINISTRATORS

Nehemiah knew that he needed help leading the city of Jerusalem, so he chose two men:

Nehemiah 7:2 CSB

2 Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

At this point, the walls are up, the doors are hung, and now Nehemiah needs someone to help him lead the city government and its people.

I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem ().

Who would you look for?

At this point, the walls are up, the doors are hung, and now Nehemiah needs someone to help him lead the city government and its people. Who would you look for? Probably someone with experience—that makes sense. Someone who has the stature and bearing that people automatically follow—also, a logical choice. If you’re looking for someone to command, they need to know how to be a commander, right? Wrong on all counts. We are given only two qualifications that Nehemiah was looking for:

Probably someone with experience—that makes sense. Someone who has the stature and bearing that people automatically follow—also, a logical choice.

If you’re looking for someone to command, they need to know how to be a commander, right?

Wrong on all counts.

We are given only two qualifications that Nehemiah was looking for:

Because he was a faithful man and feared God more than most ().

The Hebrew word translated feared comes from yare, which means “to reverence or to honor.”

What a great lesson for each of us.

We tend to follow the world’s example in looking for people to fill the slots, appointments, and key ministry positions.

We look for people who are experienced, who look good on the outside, who can communicate and articulate the party line, and who have a bearing about them that draws attention to their winsome personalities and natural abilities.

Notice that the two qualities Nehemiah mentioned would not usually appear on someone’s resumé.

These were qualities of dependability and reverence for God.

CITIZENS

The next part of the chapter finds Nehemiah registering the citizens. They were identified and counted according to family, clan, or tribe:

Nehemiah 7:8–12 CSB

8 Parosh’s descendants 2,172 9 Shephatiah’s descendants 372 10 Arah’s descendants 652 11 Pahath-moab’s descendants: Jeshua’s and Joab’s descendants 2,818 12 Elam’s descendants 1,254

I asked myself initally...”Why count them so carefully?”

Ya know what God revealed to me...

Why count them so carefully? They were counted by God because they counted to God.

They were counted by God because they counted to God.

PRIESTS

The priests had to prove their lineage to Aaron or they would not be allowed to serve in the temple:

Nehemiah 7:61 CSB

61 The following are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but were unable to prove that their ancestral families and their lineage were Israelite:

Nehemiah 7:64 CSB

64 These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood.

The same requirement was enforced upon the people: if they could not trace their family lineage back to pre-dispersion ancestors, they were excluded from living inside the city walls.

These were they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses or their descendants, whether they were of Israel … These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood (, ).

God enforced a high standard for owning land within the city of Jerusalem and for serving in the temple. You had to have Jewish blood flowing through your veins, and you had to have written proof of your genealogy.

The same requirement was enforced upon the people: if they could not trace their family lineage back to pre-dispersion ancestors, they were excluded from living inside the city walls. God enforced a high standard for owning land within the city of Jerusalem and for serving in the temple. You had to have Jewish blood flowing through your veins, and you had to have written proof of your genealogy.

This led me to some important questions.

“What right do you have to live within the gates of the new Jerusalem?”

The Book of Revelation tells us that only those redeemed by Jesus Christ will be able to dwell in the Holy City of heaven.

Here’s the key question to each of us… “Will you be able to trace your lineage back to the family of God?” “Are you related to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ?”

Jesus announced, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform may miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you’ ” ().

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform may miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you’ ” ().

The pressing questions in and 11, were:

“Did the inhabitants have a bloodline to Israel?” “Could they prove their relationship to the people of the one true God?”

The pressing question in the last day of human history, as we know it, will be, “Are you related to that Jewish Carpenter—the true Messiah? Can you prove your relationship to the family of God?”

God is also keeping a list of names. It is called the Lamb’s Book of Life:

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire ().

You might ask, “How can I get my name recorded in that book?”

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God … who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God ().

I would be amiss if i didn’t share the Gospel with our class. We should never assume that you’ve heard it enough, nor assume that everyone here is a follower of Christ.

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are born again (). By that new birth, you leave the old bloodline of Adam and join the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ (). To be born into this new and eternally secure family of God, you must admit, “Lord, I’m not related to Your family; I’m not on my way to heaven—I’m on my way to hell. I’m in the wrong family, but I want to become a member of Your family. Please forgive my sin and make me Your child.”

When you surrender your life to Christ, you are then related to the Messiah. You are then recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life

SPECIAL DONORS

I think the saddest word in is a word that appears two times—it is the word some:

Nehemiah 7:70–71 CSB

70 Some of the family heads contributed to the project. The governor gave 1,000 gold coins, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments to the treasury. 71 Some of the family heads gave 20,000 gold coins and 2,200 silver minas to the treasury for the project.

Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work … Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave into the treasury of the work … ().

How tragic that it did not read all. God appreciates those who willingly and graciously gave—and He knows them by name.

CITY OCCUPANTS

Nehemiah 7:4 CSB

4 The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses had been built yet.

Did you notice the problem Nehemiah revealed? Jerusalem was a large city with finished walls, but hardly any people were living on the inside. Nehemiah solved the problem in two ways.

Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built ().

Did you notice the problem Nehemiah revealed? Jerusalem was a large city with finished walls, but hardly any people were living on the inside. Nehemiah solved the problem in two ways.

Draftees

Nehemiah 11:1 CSB

1 Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns.

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities ().

About one million people lived around Jerusalem. Since they could not all fit inside the walls, about 100,000 of them were drafted to move inside. Not every person would have wanted to uproot his family and relocate. Imagine the hassle and headaches, as well as the danger involved. Therefore, many were reluctant to move.

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities ().

Volunteers

Nehemiah 11:2 CSB

2 The people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem ().

The Hebrew word for volunteer is the absolutely wonderful word nadab, and it means “to be impelled by an inner urge to stand; to be compelled to be courageous.”

And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem ().

The Hebrew word for volunteer is the absolutely wonderful word nadab, and it means “to be impelled by an inner urge to stand; to be compelled to be courageous.” It can be translated to read “to be noble.”

It can be translated to read “to be noble.”

These noble people stepped forward and said, “We will leave our secure countryside and our familiar surroundings. We will volunteer to uproot our families and move to the city of Jerusalem in order to help it grow and thrive.”

What better word is there to describe them than noble.

PRAYER WARRIORS

Among the noble ones, someone was known for his prayer life. He is given special mention as the credits continue to roll along:

Nehemiah 11:17a CSB

17 Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, the one who began the thanksgiving in prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his relatives; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

I love this entry in the long line of credits.

[A]nd Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer ().

I love this entry in the long line of credits. Who was he? We don’t really know. What did Mattaniah do? He was the Levite who started the prayer. He stood up at the appropriate time and began the prayer of thanksgiving. The only time he is ever mentioned in Scripture, this noble man is praying.

Who was he? We don’t really know.

What did Mattaniah do?

He was the Levite who started the prayer. He stood up at the appropriate time and began the prayer of thanksgiving.

The only time he is ever mentioned in Scripture, this noble man is praying.

Curious Question for each of us to ask ourselves...

“Where would you see your name in this list?”

Singers

Gatekeepers

Administrators

Citizen

Priest

Special Donor

Draftee

Volunteer

Prayer Warrior

Here’s our Application...

LESSONS ABOUT GIVING CREDIT

Most of the Noble Things You Do Will Never Be Recognized on Earth

Oftentimes, credit is not given where credit is due. Even if your effort is noticed, it may not be appreciated.

Perhaps we should all work on giving credit where credit is due. We need to discipline our minds to notice those who are serving and then acknowledge their contribution.

When he began holding meetings in a nursing home as a young pastor, he noticed that one of the regulars who came would bring her television remote with her. Periodically, while he preached, she would scowl, aim that remote at him, and push the buttons. This went on for several months until he finally stopped one service, laughed good-naturedly, and said to her, “Ma’am, you can’t turn me off with that.” She just snapped back without blinking an eye, “I’m not trying to turn you off; I’m trying to change the channel!”

Perhaps we should all work on giving credit where credit is due. We need to discipline our minds to notice those who are serving and then acknowledge their contribution.

In the days of Nehemiah, the city of Jerusalem flourished because of the gatekeepers, guards, maintenance workers, groundskeepers, singers, priests, farmers, shepherds, special donors, and volunteers.

Don’t ever forget this TRUTH!

All of the Noble Things You Do on Earth Will Be Recognized by God in Heaven

Hebrews 6:10 CSB

10 For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them.

People forget; people fail to say, “Thank you.”

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints ().

People forget; people fail to say, “Thank you.” People overlook you, but God never will. He always reads the credits. Better yet, He is in the process, at this very moment, of writing them.

People overlook you, but God never will.

He always reads the credits.

Better yet, He is in the process, at this very moment, of writing them.

So, let’s roll the credits and read of noble ones who change the diapers and sweep the floors; answer telephones and pull weeds; arrange meetings and teach Bible lessons; prepare children’s games and slide dials at the soundboard; clean the bathrooms and count the offering; practice the music and lead us in worship; pray through the “list” and visit guests; cook meals and offer rides; dust furniture and greet the family; record and upload sermons and prepare coffee; disciple teenagers and lead children to Christ; design ads and maintain the web page and social media; crawl on the floor with toddlers and set up chairs in classrooms; wash the nursery linens and clean the dishes; recruit volunteers and thank the ones now serving; write curriculum and counsel at youth and children camps; Sacrifice a week in VBS to share the Gospel to children; listen to memory verses and stack chairs; and then do it all over again.

And remember, you are involved in noble work. Although it may be unrecognized on earth, one day it will be rewarded in heaven.

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