THE HOLY CITY. Nehemiah 11 For the first time, the city of Jerusalem is called "the holy city." Even though it had a more glorious past when David, Solomon, and other kings ruled there, the city is sanctified in a special way amid surrounding opposition and reproach. In the years before the people of Judah were taken into captivity in Babylon, Jerusalem was a vital city in the Middle East. Kings lived there, so it was the seat of government. Its location among the surrounding nations meant that a great deal of business was conducted there. More importantly, the temple Solomon had built stood there, and during the "glory days" of Solomon and some of the good kings, it had been the center of the nation's spiritual life.
But because of spiritual departure, the whole city was reduced to ruins, without a temple and without walls. Strangely, even after Zerubbabel built the temple, and fifty years later Ezra came, and it was finally finished, and twelve years later Nehemiah came, and the walls were built, people were not inclined to live in the city.
A bunch of buildings without people is not a real city. Nehemiah knew this, and he also knew of the people's reluctance to leave their status quo, their homes, and their land to move into city life. But a gathering center needs an organized, disciplined community of people to regain and maintain an orderly life for the population as a whole. Nehemiah was the governor, and he had identified Hananai and Hananiah as rulers of the city. To repopulate the city and restore it as the center of national and spiritual life, people needed to move in. Only some "leaders" from nearby areas volunteered to live in the city.
It is very easy to settle into a self-centered life, not caring or being interested in what happens to others as long as I am able to maintain my own self-interests. Rural living tends to be less concerned with people beyond one's immediate neighbors. But the commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" makes it necessary for us to leave our "comfort zone" and reach out to connect with people where they are, not just where we are. The gathering of the Lord's people in scriptural assemblies is essential for effective Christian testimony, "and so much the more as we see the day approaching."
When a need arises, and no one is willing to commit to meeting it, it is necessary for effective leaders to evaluate the problem and develop a suitable solution. Hard decisions are not always popular. People can see the problem and will often say, "Why doesn't someone do something to fix it?" The leadership of God's assembly is often challenged and condemned by those who complacently look on as bystanders. They want solutions as long as nothing is expected of them.
The people had shown their zeal for the word of God when it was read to them. They were aware of sin as a problem that had to be confronted, confessed, and forsaken. They had also separated from the worldly ties they had formed within some of their own families. They were committed to God and His house - but only as it was convenient to them, without the cost of being disliked by those who had no interest in the God of Israel.
The casting of lots was a way for God's will to be made known to people in Old Testament times, right up to the beginning of the early church. Now, with the whole canon of Scripture at our disposal, we have the revealed will of God in written words. We don't need to vote for leaders among us because their qualifications are described in the Bible. As the Holy Spirit makes clear those He has raised up, it is plain to us where authority in assembly life lies. God's expectations for a scripturally gathered assembly and the functions for which it is responsible are very clear.
There is a cost to obedience. There is a cost to responding to divine authority. There is a cost to living by faith. There is a cost to maintaining fellowship with God and His people. There is a cost to separation from the world unto God. But compared to the cost our Lord paid to redeem us, save us, call us to Himself and make us children of God - any cost is really a privilege to pay.
One tenth of the people who lived in their own homes in villages and on property throughout Judah, including those in the area allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, were designated by lot to move into Jerusalem. In a sense, it meant starting life over again, living in a different way and in a different place. They likely knew they would be disliked by those who opposed the rebuilding of the city, the temple, and finally the walls. It would be costly to leave their homes and move into the city. They wouldn't have the same independence they had in rural life because they would live close to other people, close to the temple, and under pressure to adhere more closely to the word of God.
There were those in Jerusalem whose attitude toward God's will was such that "they willingly offered themselves," recognizing that God's will was far more important than their own. That same attitude impressed others, who "blessed all the men" who volunteered to move into the city. They could see the difference between those who were willing and obedient to the Lord and those who moved by lot.
Some things cannot be hidden, even when people may not make "a big deal" of their faith and obedience. When that attitude is genuine and consistent, the Lord's people recognize its value. So, when such people moved into the city, they sought to please God despite the changes, challenges, and personal costs. Unity among the Lord's people is essential for effective living and testimony. Some will pay a higher cost than others, but both are dependent on each other. One group provides for physical needs, and the other for spiritual needs and the security needed to maintain an orderly life that pleases God.
Balanced, moderate men are needed to maintain the worship, growth, and safety of God's people. Then, as in Jerusalem, the spirit of praise and thanksgiving can be sustained among God's people. "The singers" led public praise in honoring God. The variety of people who moved into the city made it a vital center of the nation in spiritual, social, and business life. The king's representative would be able to testify to the consistency, order, and effectiveness of a city following divine direction. Assemblies of God's people today maintain a similar, effective public testimony when the gifts are used in coordinated unity.
Capable, active, committed, strong men joined together in unity to help the city of Jerusalem meet its potential and the expectations of the nation and God. In the city stood the temple, where the worship of God was evident. There the Lord dwelt in the midst of His people. Priests were "able men" who did the work of the Lord as overseers of the nation's spiritual life. Levites who moved in were responsible for the temple's outward operations, and they began with "thanksgiving in prayer." Porters (guards) were responsible for ensuring the temple's safety and proper functioning. They needed to guard against a hard, heavy-handed approach to spiritual things that leads to isolation. They also had to guard against a free, liberal "anything goes" stance that would have quickly eliminated the character of the temple and the city.
They left their homes; their places of inheritance; their comfort zone. The call was urgent; the need was great; they could meet the need. Others stayed where they were, supporting and fulfilling a different role. But each was important; God knew whom to pick for His work. They left the comfort of pastoral calm, of peace and quiet, for the city, with its noise and people, and more people – travelers on the road to eternity, needing what you have to give – yourselves. Not everyone will say “Thank you,” but you offered yourselves.
God delegates as He sees fit; the work is entirely unfamiliar. You have never done this before, yet the work is within you. Others are there too; you’ve always worked alone. Now you must learn to work with others – under pressure. The pressures of expectation – the proximity of people. The stigma of a country person living and working in a city. Feelings of inadequacy overwhelm you, and you are afraid. But God is God: you must learn to trust Him.
Your faith has always followed predictable paths. Now you can’t see beyond the next step. In the past, you could do as you wished. Your personal skill now gives way to God’s will. Your time is not your own; there are matters concerning the people. There is business in God’s house – you are it! Take responsibility for the outward business. Let others do their work; it is different – offer yourself.