The Book of Nehemiah—Bible Study, Lesson 19 Expository Commentary on the Book of Nehemiah.* Scattered Pearls — 1
*Just for your thoughts.*
The Book of Nehemiah—Bible Study, Lesson 19
Expository Commentary on the Book of Nehemiah.*
Scattered Pearls — 1
In the coming posts, we will look at a few truths scattered throughout this book.
Chapter 11:1-2 — What lesson do these two verses teach?
"All the people blessed those who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem."
— Nehemiah 11:2
Why should those who volunteered to live in Jerusalem be blessed?
The Jews who returned to their homeland after seventy years of captivity did not settle in Jerusalem itself. Even after the temple was rebuilt and the city walls were restored, many chose not to live in Jerusalem. The reason was fear — enemy attacks could come at any time. To protect their lives and belongings, they settled in nearby villages and towns.
These people had a great responsibility to protect Jerusalem—the city that was the center and pride of the Jewish people, the city that housed the temple of God. Yet they did not recognize this responsibility. Putting their own safety first, they refused to come forward and live in Jerusalem. They did not understand the purpose for which God had brought them back from Babylon. Out of self-interest, they settled wherever they pleased. Only the leaders remained in Jerusalem.
So they cast lots, and one out of every ten people was chosen to live in Jerusalem. At the same time, those who voluntarily chose to live in Jerusalem were blessed and praised by the people.
This is the main message of these two verses.
Lessons they teach:
1. The Lord needs our bodies and our labor.
2. We must understand the purpose for which God chose us, and arrange our lives accordingly. If we do not adjust our lifestyle to match our calling and ministry, God's purpose in calling us will not be fulfilled in us.
3. God has a purpose in where we should live, where we should stay, and where we should settle (Acts 17:26). We must adjust our way of life accordingly.
4. The Christian life is a battlefield. On that battlefield, we must always be seen as soldiers standing at the front line, fighting. We must not stand at the back and simply watch the spiritual battle unfold.
Scattered Pearls — 2
Nehemiah 12:47 — What is the meaning of this verse?
The magnificent temple that Solomon built was destroyed. A group of Jews who had been held captive in Babylon for seventy years came to Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, amid great struggle, the temple was rebuilt on the same site.
Because the temple was rebuilt, priests, Levites, and singers were appointed according to the Law of Moses.
But to meet their needs, the Jews were required to bring tithes and offerings according to the regulations of the Old Testament.
Nehemiah organized this system and made arrangements to meet the needs of the Levites, priests, and singers.
Even though the temple had been built, it was the duty of those who benefited from the temple to meet the needs of those who served in it. Nehemiah fulfilled this duty.
In the same way today, it is the obligation of those who receive spiritual blessings through any ministry to support those who are the source of those blessings through material means.
To give back material blessings to those from whom we have received even a small measure of spiritual blessing is a clear truth according to Scripture.
To richly receive and enjoy spiritual blessings yet do nothing in return for those who provided them—this is a great injustice done to those who blessed us.
Therefore, supporting ministries and caring for ministers is the duty of those who have benefited from that ministry. This is the truth we can learn from this verse.
We will look at more scattered pearls from this book in the next post.