Nehemiah: Chapter 11
Nehemiah 11:1-36 (read all verses…)
“1 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. 2 And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the heads of the provinces who lived in Jerusalem, but in the cities of Judah each lived on his own property in their cities—the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants. 4 Some of the sons of Judah and some of the sons of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem…”
“20 The rest of Israel, of the priests and of the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own inheritance. 21 But the temple servants were living in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of the temple servants.”
“22 Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, from the sons of Asaph, who were the singers for the service of the house of God. 23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day.”
What did they give?
They gave up their possessions.
(v. 3) “…but in the cities of Judah each lived on his own property in their cities…”
“PROPERTY” Land, farm, crops, house, etc.
“OWN” It was their own property. They were providing for themselves and their day to day lives were being taken care of by their crops and herds.
They gave it up for something they would not own. In contrast, those in Jerusalem would need to more intentionally look to God to provide.
(v. 20) “The rest of Israel, of the priests and of the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own inheritance.”
“INHERITANCE” This indicates that the future of the ones in Jerusalem was given up as well. In contrast, the people that remained in their cities were able to rest at ease knowing their inheritance was secure. It was something they could see.
Those in Jerusalem had to have faith. They had to trust that God would take care of their future.
They gave up their protection.
(v. 1) “…the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem…”
The capital city, or “holy city” as it is referred to in the text, was not a safe place. Remember, it was only a month or two earlier that the entire city was a heap of rubble. Why? Because capital cities were the prime target of invading armies.
The surrounding villages, towns and cities were typically left alone. Sure, they may have been raided but the people were often left with enough to continue on so that they could be raided again. The capital city, however, would be utterly destroyed.
The protection that living outside of the city brought was suddenly removed when the people were drafted to live in Jerusalem. And some even volunteered!
(v. 2) “…the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem…”
They gave up their preferences.
(v. 23) “…there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation…”
They had far more freedom of choice in their own villages and on their own property.
What did they gain?
They gained something better.
(v. 1) “…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.”
Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”
Better preferences (God’s instead on mine)
They gained spiritual barricades.
Better protection.
Job 1 & 2 / 1 Corinthians 10:13
They gained spiritual blessings.
(v. 2) “And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.”
(v. 20) “The rest of Israel … were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own inheritance.”
Better possessions.
Matthew 6:19-21 (store up treasures in heaven)
