Nehemiah 7
Notes
Transcript
Immediately after the wall was complete (fully), Nehemiah appointed leaders to secure and protect the city. After the gates were set, he appointed gatekeepers. Gatekeepers usually protected the doors of the temple, but because of the threats, they were tasked with guarding the gates of the city. Singers and Levites were assigned to additionally help the gatekeepers guard the city. Why so much emphasis on guarding the gates? To keep the enemy out of the city and protect against terrorist activities.
Nehemiah appointed two military leaders next, each assigned to half of the city. Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother was one appointed (he brought the condition of the city to Nehemiah’s attention), and Hananiah, the commander of the palace (a man of integrity and fear of the Lord) was the second. They were given an important task - immediately put into place security measures. This important duty was assigned and security was put into place because of the constant threat of attack that had been spreading throughout the countryside. They were instructed to open the gates ONLY after sunrise, and close them before dark. This ensured most citizens were awake before the gates were opened so their protective forces would be maximized and people would not be caught off guard while they were asleep. The next action was to form a “neighborhood watch” and their purpose was to keep an eye on the wall close to their homes. This way, every adult citizen would be involved in protecting the city and securing their own property in the event of an attack. If they were protecting their own property and families, they were more likely to fight more fiercely.
The next task would be to build additional houses and increase the inhabitants within the city. There were simply not enough people to fully protect the city, and not enough homes to house the increased numbers. Who would be allowed in the city? Only those of pure Jewish blood or decent. In Chapter 11, we will see where a census is required so they could show the population of Jews throughout the nation, how many were living within the cities, towns, villages, and countryside. Knowing where the population was would help prevent too many people from moving into Jerusalem from any one area. By allowing too many from a particular area, that area would be weakened against attack. Having been given leadership’s approval, Nehemiah searched the genealogical records of those who had first returned from Babylonian captivity.
Building Complete
Building Complete
1 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,
2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.
3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.”
4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.
5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:
As believers, it is not enough to know that we are citizens of the holy city of God, the promised land of heaven. Although we may be saved, the battle is not over. Once we have trusted Christ and become citizens of heaven, we still remain citizens of this earth. Our citizenship is in both heaven and earth. Heaven is our future residence, already bought and paid for. And we are guaranteed the privilege of living in heaven once we leave this earth. But until that day our citizenship on earth continues to expose us to the corruption of the world. In truth, as long as we live in this corruptible world, we will be attacked by enemy forces. Temptation will confront us, seducing us into immoral, lawless, and violent behavior. Furthermore, all kinds of trials, hardships, and sufferings will face us.
To stand against the barrage of temptations and trials, we must have the protection and security of God Himself. This is the wonderful promise of God. No matter the temptation or trial, He will protect us. He will hold us securely in His hand, allowing no person or entity or thing to remove us. Even if we are assaulted and our lives suddenly snatched away, the LORD will transfer us immediately into His presence. Quicker than the eye can blink, His hand of protection will rescue us from the terrifying hands of death and deliver us into His very own presence. No believer ever tastes or experiences death or hell. God protects and secures us.
The Returning Exiles
The Returning Exiles
6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town.
7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172.
9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372.
10 The sons of Arah, 652.
11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818.
12 The sons of Elam, 1,254.
13 The sons of Zattu, 845.
14 The sons of Zaccai, 760.
15 The sons of Binnui, 648.
16 The sons of Bebai, 628.
17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322.
18 The sons of Adonikam, 667.
19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067.
20 The sons of Adin, 655.
21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98.
22 The sons of Hashum, 328.
23 The sons of Bezai, 324.
24 The sons of Hariph, 112.
25 The sons of Gibeon, 95.
26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188.
27 The men of Anathoth, 128.
28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42.
29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743.
30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621.
31 The men of Michmas, 122.
32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123.
33 The men of the other Nebo, 52.
34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254.
35 The sons of Harim, 320.
36 The sons of Jericho, 345.
37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721.
38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930.
39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973.
40 The sons of Immer, 1,052.
41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247.
42 The sons of Harim, 1,017.
43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148.
45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.
46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon,
48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai,
49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar,
50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda,
51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah,
52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim,
53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha,
55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,
56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida,
58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,
59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.
61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers’ houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel:
62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642.
63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
66 The whole assembly together was 42,360,
67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female.
68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245,
69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720.
70 Now some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests’ garments and 500 minas of silver.
71 And some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver.
72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests’ garments.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.
What comes next is a list of the exiles who returned from captivity in Babylon and Persia (From Ezra 3:1) -42,360 people, 7,155 camels and donkeys, and all the gold, silver, basins, and garments. These returnees 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 it should always 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 King and Savior—the Lord Jesus Christ—into the world.
They believed God would preserve His Holy Word and His promise to restore the promised land (a symbol of heaven) 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 was the very reason he insisted that the city be populated with people of pure Jewish blood or descent (11:1–24).
This census or genealogy is essentially the same as the one found in Ezra (Ezr. 2:1–70). However, a few of the names and numbers differ. This does not mean that the Holy Scripture is not inspired, that God’s Word has errors or contradictions. Most of the errors and discrepancies can be explained by copyist errors. When scribes were copying the original manuscripts, they easily could have missed a simple stroke, which would have changed a particular number or total count. Also, when lists or numbers differ by either the addition or elimination of a name, it could be due simply to the dying out of a family or the addition of a family between Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s time. No doubt some of the families who made the trip with Ezra did die out, and obviously some Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem during the decades since Ezra’s pilgrimage. Whatever the case, we must always remember that the Word of God is authoritative, accurate, and absolutely trustworthy for both faith and doctrine. Down through the centuries God has protected His Holy Word and given us an accurate account of the original manuscripts.
The genealogy is broken down into ten points by the outline of the Scripture. The outline points and in some cases brief comments are sufficient to understand the Scripture.These pioneers and ancestors of faith set 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. Let’s look at these truths:
If we are to be saved from sin, death, and hell, we must believe in the Lord.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
If we want to be blessed by God and receive His promises, we must believe and trust in the Lord.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
So, how does this impact us today? First, we must protect ourselves and our country, our state, our community,our church, our families, and ourselves. We have to stand firm against the infiltration from the enemy. How do we protect? We have work to do. Just as each person was given a specific task, we too have the obligation to the Lord. It’s not just serving on committees, attending services, but to take up the cross daily - that is even the smallest details of living a Christ-like life - something that is not easy because we are in a constant battle with evil. Not only does God require us to work, but we are to finish the work. Notice this - Nehemiah had led the returned exiles to complete the wall, including the gates and bars. It should have been finished then, right? No, there was still unfinished work to do. Just like then, today completion of one task doesn’t mean our work for the Lord is finished. It is ongoing until He calls us home, and it will have an everlasting impact on this world.
Your task may not be permanent; but it has in it some permanent element. What is greater than the work or the man who does it? An invading army could have destroyed Nehemiah’s wall, but not the memory of Nehemiah’s character. The temple of David and Solomon is destroyed, but the Church has preserved their songs and copied their example in building a house for the Lord. They abide for ever. Let us do our work reliant on Him who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.