Nehemiah 11 THE HOLY CITY For the first time the city of Jerusalem is called "the holy city." Even though it had a more glorious past when David and Solomon as well as other kings ruled there, the city is in a special way, sanctified in the midst of surrounding opposition and reproach. In the years before the people of Judah were taken into captivity in Babylon, Jerusalem was a vital, important city in the Middle East. King lived there, so it was a center of the seat of government. Its location among the surrounding nations was such that a lot of business was conducted there. More importantly, the temple Solomon had built was there and it had been, in the "glory days" of Solomon and some of the good kings, the center of the nation's spiritual life. But then 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.
It is very easy to settle into a self-centered life, not caring nor interested in what happens to others as long I am able to maintain my own self-interests. Rural living tends to be less concerned about people apart from neighbors living close by. 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."
A bunch of buildings without people is not a real city. Nehemiah knew this, and he also knew of the reticence of the people to leave their status-quo, their homes and their land to move into city living. 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. In order to repopulate the city to where it could function as the center of national and spiritual life, people were needed who would move in. Only some "leaders" from areas around volunteered to live in the city.
The people had indicated 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. And, they had separated from the worldly ties they had formed in some of their own families. They also 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.
When a need arises and there are none who want to commit to meeting that need, it is necessary for those who are effective leaders to evaluate the problem and come up with a suitable solution. It is not always popular with people when hard decisions have to be made. 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 casting of lots, was a way God's will be made known to people in the Old Testament times right up to the beginning of the early church. Now with the whole canon of scripture at our disposal, we have in written words the revealed will of God. We don't need to vote for leaders among us because their qualifications have been described in written words in the Bible. As the Holy Spirit makes obvious those He has raised up, it is plain to us where authority in assembly life lies. God's expectation for a scripturally gathered assembly, and the functions for which it is responsible, is very clear.
One tenth of the people who lived in their own homes in villages and property around Judah, and those in the area allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, were designated by the casting of lots to move into Jerusalem. In a way it meant starting life over again living in a different way and 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 living because they would live close to other people, close to the temple and under pressure to have a closer adherence to the word of God.
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.
There were those in Jerusalem whose attitude to the will of God was such that "they willingly offered themselves" realizing the will of God was much more important than their will. That same attitude impressed others who "blessed all the men" who volunteered to move into the city. They could see the difference in those who were willing and obedient to the Lord compared to those who moved by lot.
Some things cannot be hidden even though people may not make "a big deal" of their faith and obedience. When that attitude is real and consistent, the Lord's people recognize its value. So, when such people moved into the city, these people wanted to please God in spite of the changes, challenges and personal costs. Unity among the Lord's people is needed for effective living and testimony. Some will pay a higher cost than others, but both are dependent on each other. One group provides for the physical needs, and the other for the spiritual needs and security needed to maintain orderly life that pleases God.
Capable, active, committed, strong men joined together in unity to bring the city of Jerusalem to meet its potential and the expectations of the nation and God. In the city, was the temple where the worship of God was evident. It was there where the Lord dwelt in the midst of His people. Priests were "able men" doing the work of the Lord as overseers of the spiritual life of the nation. Levites who moved in were responsible for the outward business of the temple, and they began with "thanksgiving in prayer." Porters (guards) were responsible to ensure the safety and normal functioning of the temple. 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 stance of "anything goes" that would have quickly eliminated the character of the temple and the city.
Balanced, moderate men are needed to maintain the worship, growth and safety of God's people. Then, like in Jerusalem, the spirit of praise and thanksgiving can be maintained 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 society as the 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 and effective public testimony when the gifts are used effectively in coordinated unity.