Read Nehemiah
6-8 & Acts
3
To discover:
As you read note what is commended
in the hearing of the law.
To ponder:
With the work almost finished the
opposition is now against Nehemiah himself. Four times his opponents sought to
entice him out of the city to harm him. Then Sanballat did the same, suggesting
Nehemiah was planning to revolt and become king. This sought to worry him
sufficiently to meet Sanballat in order to defend himself, or at least to cease
the work so people didn’t get the wrong idea (6v9). Another time, it seems a
man hired by Nehemiah’s enemies pretended to prophesy that he should meet him
in the temple to escape harm. This would have brought Nehemiah into conflict
with the godly Jews, as priests alone were allowed to enter. Each time,
however, seeing through the ruse, Nehemiah found a way to dismiss the
suggestion. It is futile for the Christian to engage those seeking to trip them
up. Better to maintain focus on serving the LORD, and leave one’s defence to
him (6v14).
Seeing
the work completed in just 52 days, the Jews’ enemies and the surrounding
nations became afraid, recognising that God must be with the people.
Nevertheless, the Jewish nobles who had refused to help the work colluded with
Tobiah, being on oath to serve him (6v17-19). Likewise, Christians should be
wary that some even in the church may seek to serve those opposing God’s people
for their own gain.
In
the light of all this, alongside appointing gatekeepers and singers, Nehemiah
placed his brother in charge, affirming the need to choose those of integrity
and fear of God for positions of responsibility. His instructions about keeping
the doors of the city shut at night were about security, as were those
regarding guards.
The
registration of the people may have been to allot houses as they were rebuilt,
or just to acknowledge those inhabiting the city when it’s rebuilding was completed
(7v4-5). Whatever the reason, Nehemiah saw his idea and desires as something
God “put into” his “heart” (see also 2v12). Discerning whether a strong concern
is from God or just our own enthusiasm is notoriously hard, and often only
known in hindsight after prayer sees it come to fruition. But we should
recognise that God does at times lead his people this way.
The
list of returnees is almost identical to Ezra 2, stressing continuity with
historic Israel
and its glory days under Solomon, and a concern with the purity of the nation
and priesthood. It also commends a readiness to give financially to rebuilding
the city, as with the Christian and the building of the New Jerusalem, the
church.
7v73b-12v31
is a distinct section focused on Ezra, but placed here to affirm the commitment
of the people before God. After people had settled and in the month the feast
of tabernacles is celebrated in remembrance of God’s provision, the people
assembled and reaffirmed their commitment to God’s law and so covenant. Much is
learnt here about the attitude we should have to God’s word. The people take
the initiative in seeking out Ezra to bring out “the book of the law” (probably
Deuteronomy). And he read from it, to “all who could understand,” which implies
not just men and women, but children at least of a certain age too. And it
wasn’t a brief sermon accommodated to attention spans! It was read from
daybreak to noon. And the people
“listened attentively.” So often the reason for inattentiveness is not
inability, but disinterest. The people stood when the book was opened, to
display reverence, responding to Ezra’s praise of God by bowing down in
worship. Yet, the book was not just read. Levites instructed people, “making
clear” and “giving the meaning” so they could understand – a model for the role
of the Bible teacher. The people were convicted of their sin and wept in
response. However, they were encouraged to rejoice instead, because the day was
“sacred” (ie. set-apart) as one of recommitment to the LORD. The fact they
could rejoice was a sign of his gracious acceptance of the people because of
their current disposition. Whatever our past sins, if we return, we need no
longer mourn. Yet there was joy too simply in understanding God’s word (8v12) –
a challenge to those who take this knowledge for granted.
The
book was read every day for the seven days of the feast - although perhaps on
the remaining days just to the family heads, priests and Levites (8v13).
Nevertheless, on the second day, when hearing God’s command to live in booths
during the feast as a reminder of the desert journey after the Exodus, they
spread the word and ensured the people obeyed in a way that hadn’t been done
since Joshua. It affirms the responsibility of key members of families and
churches to take the initiative in leading others in obedience to God. And it
marks what would have felt like a new start for God’s people in their newly
rebuilt city with its rebuilt temple.
Praying it home:
Praise God for his word and those
he has provided to teach it. Pray that you would show reverence for him by
seeking out good Bible teachers and displaying a reverence and attentiveness to
his word.
Thinking further:
None today.
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