Nehemiah
Chapter 7
God cares about your work.
(v. 1) “Now when the wall was rebuilt and I had set up the doors…”
Chapters 1-6 are the work of rebuilding the city. This chapter lets us know specifically the people that did the work.
*Work is given to us, by God, as a blessing.
Genesis 2:15
“…the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
*Our work should be done for God’s glory.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…”
*1 Timothy 5:8 (NASB)
“…if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
God cares about your walk.
In “the Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren said,
“God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.”
(v. 2) “…then 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.”
Why were these men put in charge? Because of their walks. Their lives demonstrated integrity and reverence, “…a faithful man and feared God more than many…”.
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
“…be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“…all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…”
God cares about your wealth.
(v. 68- 72) “68 Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; 69 their camels, 435; their donkeys, 6,720.
70 Some from among the heads of fathers' households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 basins, 530 priests' garments. 71 Some of the heads of fathers' households gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. 72 That which the rest of the people gave was 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,000 silver minas and 67 priests' garments.”
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“…he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God cares about your worship.
(v. 1) “Now when the wall was rebuilt and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed…”
Deuteronomy 6:13-15
“13 You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. 14 You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, 15 for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.”
God cares about your well-being.
(v. 3)“Then 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.’”
Isaiah 53:5
“…He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” [*God cares so much about our well-being that He pierced, crushed, chastised and scourged His own so that our well-being could be achieved*]
