Nehemiah 7:1-73
Please read your Bible text: Neh. 7:1-73
“Altogether the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty. So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim, and all Israel dwelt in their cities” (Neh. 7:66, 73).
The rebuilding of the city wall was completed in record time by the grace of God. It was not the end of what God laid upon Nehemiah to do. It was the beginning of the real work, the rebuilding of God’s people. The first thing that Nehemiah did, as God laid upon his heart, was to take a census. The tedious process of gathering the people that had returned from exile, and registering and checking against the existing record of genealogy must be done. So we have a very long chapter-7 with 73 verses mostly covering the census. Try not to skip this very dried long list of names and the numbers that were recorded, for then we may discover some important insights.
The Importance of Standing Guard
Once the city wall and gates were installed and secured, Nehemiah saw to it that the gates were constantly and consistently guarded. God wrought about common sense for Nehemiah to have each man to guard his own property. It was probable that at this time, Nehemiah had to return to the Persian court to renew his absence from the royal palace for extended leave. But he ensured that the safety of the city was put into the hands of men who were faithful and who feared God. And his instruction was very poignant to keep the gates closed and opened only at the heat of the noon when the day was at its brightest!
Oh, how we need to guard the gate to our inner life! We cannot afford to leave it open freely, let alone when the day is dark, where evil lurks in the darkness. And the gate (or the door) to our inner lives is our hearts. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Prov. 4:23). Two splendid characteristics of the men who were given the safety of the city gates—and that is both the fear of God and faithfulness. Perhaps these two are the lock and key to the door of our hearts!
The Importance of Genealogy
God called out Abraham and out from him came forth the Hebrews or the Israelites. They were God’s chosen race to reveal God Himself to humanity. Genealogy was important to ascertain if a person from the returned exile was true Israelites. Hence Nehemiah’s first task was to ascertain the genealogy. The genealogy was necessary, not only that each might inherited his ancestral heritage but that the descent of our Lord Jesus might be easily traced to the Royal line of King David.
So also we ought to be sure that our loved ones are included in the Lord’s book of genealogy. We cannot lay claim to our inheritance unless we are heirs through the new birth (Rom8:16-17) and our names written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 20:15).
The Importance f Details
The genealogical record was a long list of names and numbers of those who returned. Instead of skipping over this passage as dry and boring, we should try to look for the details that could speak volume. Note that Mordecai was mentioned and he was the uncle of Queen Esther. Could it be that the queen sitting beside King Artaxerxes (2:6), for whom Nehemiah was his cupbearer, was Esther? Could it be that this queen Esther had an influence on the king to grant Nehemiah’s leave of absence to return to his homeland to rebuild Jerusalem?
What about the numbers? Nehemiah recorded the whole company that returned (under Zerubbabel) numbered 42,360 (v.66) and that was besides 7,337 male and female slaves, and 245 male and female singers (v.67). Among the company that was numbered were priests, Levites, musicians, temple servants and even the descendants of the servants of King Solomon. Interestingly, there was a group of people called the Nethinim (v.46, 60). These people were not Israelites but probably Gibeonites, who were incorporated into the Israelites communities as servants during King David’s time. Here in Nehemiah, the Nethinim was counted with the servants of King Solomon and their descendants, which numbered 392 (vv.46-60). Even the numbers of the animals that were brought along and the contributions towards the temple by the governors and heads of families were counted! All that was supposed to be counted were counted. Nothing was left out! Surely in God’s book of accounting, nothing is left out!
Think: In God’s book of accounting – Nothing is left out. He knows the numbers of hairs on our head.
Prayer: We praise you and thank you, Lord. How awesome are you, nothing in our lives, is too small to escape your loving attention.
Leave a Reply