written by Jospeh Murray
As we look in chapter 11 we see an exciting time as the walls of Jerusalem had been resurrected under Nehemiah’s leadership and the commitment of the people. Yet with the walls of the city resurrected, the heart and strength of the city, the people still needed to come under reconstruction. Jerusalem was aptly named the “Holy City “, and to make sure that the spiritual and social aspect of the “City of Peace” was rebuilt the right way we see that Nehemiah’s prayerful detail of the repopulation of the city took time and method. Volunteers and a tenth of the people were chosen by casting lots, to repopulate the rebuilt city of Jerusalem that reflect the outward structures that had been restored.
Leaders
Respected Leaders and their families where chosen to start the repopulation of Jerusalem. Men who would uphold the culture of being people of God. People whom would honor the needs of the people and the Holy City of Jerusalem. Jerusalem may have been fortified externally but there were still social and internal threats from those whom fought against the rebuilding of the walls. Having spiritual and social leaders where vital in framing the growth and existence of the city in a God honoring way. We see listed the family of the Levites, Judah, Nethinim and more listed by name.
Volunteers
The commitment of the Leaders awakened a strong spiritual need of service as men and women implied self-denial and courage to be led and be a part of rebuilding the social resource of the city. The rest of the inhabitants would be a tenth of the population chosen by lot, which was considered a practice that God would have control over.
As we look at those who repopulated the Holy City and were accounted by name, we can see three essential for two major groups the Leaders and Volunteers. Without either, the direction and the work of growing the church would be a challenge to city that has been reconstructed physically yet fragile internally both spiritually and socially.
Jesus reminded us
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Even with the rebuilding of many homes and the beginning work of the initial construction of new relationships, it is important that we as leaders and volunteers who are representing God in the areas of brokenness and reconstruction need to not just look to visit but to inhabit and be a part of a Holy City that belongs to our Lord. This starts March 3rd!
