CIVIL REFORMS TO ESTABLISH ORDER. Nehemiah 7:5-73 God guided Nehemiah to compile a list of people and their occupations to meet the city's needs. They were to address needs for order, the worship of God, and the service of God in His work. The spiritual condition of God's people is the concern of true leaders whom the Lord has placed in that role. Qualifications for different works are not left to chance or personal preference. Ezra's list was clear. This reminder of the past provided the same hope and guidance for the future. Ezra was the spiritual leader of the people, and Nehemiah was the government leader responsible for meeting the needs of the citizens.
God put the idea of a census into Nehemiah's heart to reveal the population's demographics and distribution. By understanding the population pattern in both rural areas and the city, he could determine which places in the countryside could afford to lose some of their inhabitants to Jerusalem. By establishing family identity, they could build solidarity among themselves as they reconsidered what it meant to be God’s chosen people.
God had been faithful to them for centuries, through many generations, even though they had failed Him. There were times when they doubted God, His love, and divine providence because His laws condemned them for taking their own ways. Yet those laws remained an anchor to them because they were unchangeable. The standard left no doubt about the moral, spiritual, and practical significance of their existence as an identifiable people called by God to obey and represent Him on earth.
The public leaders were named. From among those men came the areas of responsibility they were obligated to fill. It wasn't up to a vote or to personal preference. The designation of responsibility was clear. Ordinary people were identified by family and dwelling place. They all knew there was significance in their lives and work, in being who they were and doing what they did for God. Priests were called upon to act before the Lord toward the people and for the people to the Lord. They were not excused from that work. Likely, some priests remained in Babylon, where they were unable to do the work of the priesthood, and so blended in with everyone else.
Some religious groups today limit "priestly work" to a few who have been trained in denominational schools to be professional "spiritual advisors." In scripturally gathered assemblies, there is an opportunity for the public practice of the priesthood of all believers. Priestly ministry takes different forms, depending on the person and the God-given gifts they have received. Some have an audible role, and others a silent role. Some work is out in the open, and other work is unseen by almost everyone. It is public because of its nature in the life of the assembly, not in the visual sense. In the "house of God," there is room for all to be part of the work of God.
Levites, temple servants, and those whose forebears were servants of Solomon all had a place to be identified in service. The temple, the city, and the nation all had specific areas of work to be filled by those qualified by their place in the nation's genealogical record. Some had made the journey from Babylon, able to live and raise their families among God's people but unable to prove their citizenship. Consequently, they could not participate in God's work.
The long lists of names are hard to read and may seem boring because they are essentially the same as the lists in Ezra. Those names give meaning to individuals within families as they consider who they were and why they were where they were. The lists would give order to the disorganized national life of the Jews, who were mainly the second and third generations of the remnant that returned from captivity.
Only God knows who are truly His people. Occasionally we must simply wait for evidence of reality to be seen before certain ones can be part of the fellowship of the assembly. God has His own way of making plain to the assembly those who are truly children of God and those who are not. We do not have the Urim and Thummim to give us answers from God, but we do have the word of God and the Holy Spirit of God to "bear witness" to the truth.
In assemblies of God's people, financial responsibility is voluntary and sacrificial. Financial support is an obligation, but it is not imposed on the people by men. Each person gives to the Lord from what the Lord has given them individually. "Let every one of you lay by in store as God has prospered him." Some of those who were family leaders and government leaders generously contributed to the work of God. But their names are not given because they gave voluntarily to the Lord and neither paid taxes to the government nor to the house of God.
The goal of building the wall, establishing the work of the Lord, and functioning as a province was achieved in an orderly and peaceful manner. Even though enemies had been threatening throughout the process, the objective was reached under the wise leadership of Nehemiah.
Unless care is taken by the oldest living generation to pass on the objectives, the reasons behind them, and the faith in God essential to bear testimony to our living God, succeeding generations will have no solid foundation on which to build their lives. “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” and faith is transmitted through the lives of people who believe and teach the word of God.
When unbelievers see faith demonstrated in the lives of people of faith, there is hope they may want the same for themselves. The historical context of the past, as seen in the lives of families, assemblies, and nations that feared, honored, and sought to obey God, prompts newer generations to consider who they are, why they are here, and what they will leave behind that is of any significance.