GOD’S CITY DWELLERS

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on January 31, 2024 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group: January 31, 2024 from Nehemiah 11:1-36

Theme: God works through His people; and His people are blessed when they’re in the place where He’s working.

(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).

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The Book of Nehemiah is more than a book about building a physical wall. As we affirmed at the beginning of our study, it’s a book that illustrates to us the establishment of the spiritual wall of distinction that God wants His people to build in the midst of this world. He wants for His people to be a distinct people who live distinct lives in the midst of a fallen world. He wants them to show to the world—by their distinct holiness unto Him—that He exists, that He is holy, and He is calling the people of this world to turn from their sin and to seek His grace through His Son Jesus Christ.

And as we also learned at the beginning of our study, the Book of Nehemiah is showing us this lesson through three great divisions:

1. THE REBUILDING OF THE WALL (Chapters 1-7).

2. THE REVIVAL OF THE HEART (Chapters 8-10).

3. THE REFORMATION OF THE LIFE (Chapters 11-13).

In our study today, we begin that third great division of this book that shows us how the life of God’s people must be reformed in order for them to be His distinct people. In Chapter 12—in a general sense—we’ll see how the people were reformed in their worship of God. In Chapter 13, we’ll see some of the ways that they were reformed in their behavior. But first, in Chapter 11, we’re shown how they were reformed in their availability to God’s call.

Their availability is shown in how they commit themselves to living in God’s holy city.

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Now; Chapter 11 of Nehemiah’s remarkable ‘diary’ seems—at first glance—like just a long list of very hard-to-pronounce names. It might be easy to pass these lists by. But every portion of God’s word is purposefully preserved for us by the Holy Spirit. And if we pass this portion of God’s word by, we’ll end up missing some of the wonderful lessons God wants us to learn about our place in His kingdom’s work.

You see; the people of Judah had been returned to their land after a long time of exile in the land of Babylon. They had been removed from their homeland by God because of their sinful rebellion against Him and for their conformity to the wicked practices of the surrounding nations. God had graciously restored them—just as He promised that He would. And as we read this list of names—arranged in this chapter as they are—we make a remarkable discovery. The list is very similar to another list that was made at the time when the people were first established in their land during the times of King Saul—and later, of King David.

1 Chronicles 9:3-34 provides a list of the names of the heads of the different families of the tribes of Judah and of Benjamin, and of the heads of the priests, and of the Levites, and of those who supported the work of the tabernacle. And the structure of that list—and many of the names of families that appear in it—is very similar to the one we find in Nehemiah 11. What God is showing us in this is that He kept His promise to His people marvelously. He showed remarkable grace to them in that—after 70 years of captivity, they had been brought back to the city that He had promised to them forever. When He calls His people back to a place of repentance and reformation, He places His hand on them in such a way that they are able to fulfill that call.

Another important lesson that we can learn from this chapter has to do with the names. The lists are long, and the identities of many of the people are largely unknown to us. We’re not even entirely sure how to pronounce the names themselves. But God knows every single one of them; and He counted their residency in His holy city to be such a precious thing that He called them all out by name—and even preserved those names forever in His sacred word. He looks with great favor on those who seek Him and who obey His call to be His separated people in this world.

And perhaps the most evident lesson we learn from this chapter is that in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives—and in order to be used by Him—we need to be where He wants us to be in His work. This is a list of the people who obeyed God’s call to leave the comforts of this world, and to take up residence in the newly restored city of Jerusalem. It would have been a hard thing to do. It would have involved sacrifice. But they gave themselves to Him—as His distinct people—for His distinct work. And the fact that they did so illustrates to us what it says in Romans 12:1-2;

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

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This chapter can be divided into three main sections: The identity of the restored inhabitants of the whole land (vv. 1-3); the called-out dwellers in the city (vv. 4-19), and those who supported the city dwellers from surrounding regions (vv. 20-36). All were needed in their places. So then, let’s look at this long list—and see how it illustrates to us that God works through His people … and that His people are blessed when they’re where God is working.

First, we see …

1. THE RESTORED INHABITANTS OF THE WHOLE LAND (vv. 1-3).

Not everyone who returned to help build the wall of the city ended up living within the city walls. Verses 1-2 tell us;

Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem (vv. 1-2).

The leaders are people we’ve already encountered in our study of the Book of Nehemiah. And they dwelt in the city. But only one in ten of the general population ended up living there with the leaders. It’s interesting to notice that God calls His people to give to Him a tenth of what He gives them; and now, He calls for a tenth of His people to give their very selves to Him and dwell in the city. It wouldn’t have been easy to do. To live in Jerusalem at this time would have meant not living in the more comfortable places of the land. And it might have been dangerous to do; because so many of the surrounding nations had already opposed the rebuilding of the wall. That might explain why the matter was decided by the casting of lots. But it might have also been decided in that way because it would have truly been an honor to dwell in God’s holy city—even if it was difficult. As it says in Psalm 126:1-3;

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad (Psalm 126:1-3).

Verse 3 goes on to tell us;

These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. (But in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his own possession in their cities—Israelites, priests, Levites, Nethinim, and descendants of Solomon’s servants) (v. 3).

Some were called to live in the city; but others were called to remain and live in the cities of their possession in the surrounding land of Israel. In order for the work of God’s worship within the city to be maintained, others had to farm the land, tend the sheep, raise the crops, work in their crafts and trades, and provide for the restoration of the land as a whole. God called a tenth of the people to dwell in His holy city; and He called nine-tenths of the people to live elsewhere and make it possible for the city to thrive. Each had their calling; and all were happiest when they were submitted to it.

Now; that then leads us to the lists of …

2. THE CALLED-OUT DWELLERS IN THE CITY (vv. 4-24).

We’re told at the beginning of verse 4;

Also in Jerusalem dwelt some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin (v. 4).

Only these two tribes—along with members of the tribe of Levi—are mentioned as taking up residence in the city. And this was because—sadly—the other tribes had been carried away in captivity centuries before by the Assyrians; and they were scattered … never to return to the land. Nehemiah then gives us the lists of the city dwellers from these two tribes.

a. From Among The Tribe of Judah (vv. 4-6).

We’re told;

The children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. All the sons of Perez who dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred and sixty-eight valiant men (vv. 4b-6).

The people must have cheered when they heard the number. And note that we’re told that they were “valiant” or “brave” men. They no doubt would have had to be. This could also have meant that they were wealthy and noble men. In any case, the city was blessed with good citizens from Judah.

b. From Among The Tribe of Benjamin (7-9).

And then we’re told about the inhabitants from Benjamin;

And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah; and after him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city (vv. 7-9).

The people might have cheered even louder; because there were over twice as many city dwellers from Benjamin as there were from Judah. And they had outstanding leaders in their midst—one who was called an ‘overseer’; and the other who was second under his oversight. The inhabitants weren’t just a mob of people gathered half-hazardously—in a way that would have been dishonoring to God’s city and a scandal to the surrounding nations; but they were gathered under honorable leadership in a way that would have been befitting of God’s people.

c. From Among The Priesthood (vv. 10-15).

A key part of the rebuilding of the city was the rebuilding of the temple, and the restoration of the worship within it. Ezra had done much to begin this work; and it would be many years yet before the temple was fully restored. But the worship was to carry on; and this required that many of God’s priests—from the sons of Aaron—live in the city.

Of the priests: Jeremiah the son of Joiarib, and Jachin; Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the leader of the house of God. Their brethren who did the work of the house were eight hundred and twenty-two\; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and his brethren, heads of the fathers’ houses, were two hundred and forty-two; and Amashai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and their brethren, mighty men of valor, were one hundred and twenty-eight. Their overseer was Zabdiel the son of one of the great men (vv. 10-15).

When God had established the boundaries of the tribes, He made the provision of cities for the priests to live in. But these priests were led to dwell—not in those cities—but in the city of Jerusalem itself. They had been called by God to be close to the city that He was restoring … and close to the people that He had called to dwell in it. Look at the numbers: 822 who did the work of the house of the Lord; 242 who were heads of their families; 128 who were described as “men of valor”. And the overseer over them all was called “one of the great men”. The worship of God would have been treated very seriously by these outstanding men among the priesthood.

d. From Among The Levites (vv. 15-19).

The Levites were the tribe that had been called out by God to support their brethren in the priesthood. And many of them also took up residence in the city. We’re told;

Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites, had the oversight of the business outside of the house of God; Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer; Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred and eighty-four.

Notice that some had oversight of “the business outside of the house of God”—which would have been essential for the ongoing support of God’s house; others provided leadership in thanksgiving and prayer—and we find some of the names mentioned in 9:5 as being among those who led in the prayer of repentance that we find in that chapter.

Some were even given important security duties. Verse 19 tells us;

Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren who kept the gates, were one hundred and seventy-two (v. 19).

Given all of the threats that the city had faced from the surrounding enemies, it was good to have this large number of city-dwellers on the job. Later on, in 13:15-22, we’ll see that these gatekeepers became essential in order to protect the honoring of God’s sabbath.

Now; any great work of God requires the commitment of those who dwell close to the work and who take it in hand to perform it. But they can’t do it alone. They need the support of others—the nine-tenths who lived outside the work itself—to help provide what is needed in order for the work to be done. And so; this leads us to …

3. THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE CITY DWELLERS FROM SURROUNDING REGIONS (vv. 20-36).

a. From Their Inheritances (vv. 20-21).

The remaining population lived in the areas that they had been given as an inheritance from God. Verse 20 tells us;

And the rest of Israel, of the priests and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel. And Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim (vv. 20-21).

The Nethinim were those who provided a kind of custodial support to the work of the priests and to the temple. Ophel was a hill that led up to the temple; so they were outside the city … but close to their work.

b. From The Leadership (vv. 22-24).

The Levites were not left without leadership and with those who would supply their work directly. We’re told;

Also the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers in charge of the service of the house of God. For it was the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day. Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people (vv. 22-24).

Notice that the king (that is, King Artaxerxes of Persia) had provided for the worship of the temple—“a quota day by day” (or, “as each day required”). And so, because the king was a supporter of this work, officials needed to supervise the provision and make sure that it got to the workers who needed it. Clearly, the worship within the city couldn’t have happened as it needed to without this valuable support from outside the city.

c. From The Surrounding Villages (vv. 25-36).

And as for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, Jekabzeel and its villages; in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages; in Ziklag and Meconah and its villages; in En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

Also the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages; in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah; in Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim; in Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat; in Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen. Some of the Judean divisions of Levites were in Benjamin (vv. 25-36).

As anyone in ministry can tell you, none of the direct work of ministry can happen unless others support it. Some had to live in the surrounding villages and towns—working the land, laboring in their trades, and providing the wealth of the land for the work of the temple. And who is most important? Those who do the work, or those who make it possible for them to do the work? In God’s eyes, all are necessary—and all are equally rewarded for their faithfulness.

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All of these names are precious in the sight of God. All of them are remembered by Him for their faithfulness to His call. God works through people; and His people are blessed when they’re in the place where God is working … and in their proper place.

And what a picture this gives us of God’s church! In Ephesians 4:11-16, the apostle Paul tells us;

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Having received His grace, may God help us to be reformed in our sense of His calling upon us for the service of the kingdom of Jesus Christ—and to do our work faithfully in the specific calling in which He has sovereignly placed us.

AE