Nehemiah Setting Things in Order
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
6/21/2015 PM
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Text:
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Nehemiah 7
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Psalters: |
254, 210, 380, 401 |
- The important setting.
- Nehemiah obviously sees the construction of the walls of Jerusalem as only a part of the calling God had given to him.
- The walls had to be built, but they must also maintained (with an enduring commitment).
- More significant was the lack of effort by the people to build the walls during the 90 years since returning indicating disorder.
- We have the instituted church, lively preaching, excellent creeds, faithful instruction of our children and young people.
- In the long list of names genealogies are traced (7:7ff, very similar to Ezra 2:1-64).
- Those rebuilding are to see the godly seed from which they came, so see their union with the church of the past.
- Also this records lists people not only in terms of their service with harmonious diversity of gifts and callings.
- The positions vital to the spiritual well-being of the church.
- For good fellowship and good order there is the need for defense through men appointed to guard and to rule (2,3).
- First, Nehemiah appointed two men to be rulers over Jerusalem, responsible for its defense.
- “Porters” (gatekeepers) are elite guards, well trained and with a great degree of loyalty and courage.
- Second, Nehemiah was concerned about the public worship of Jehovah: “singers” (1,44,73).
- And Nehemiah set in order Levites (43,73) to instruct the people in the truths of their faith (cf. Mal. 2:7).
- Conclusions.
- Nehemiah had a heart for Christ’s church and a desire that God’s children be spiritually blessed in God’s city.
- Then we will willingly give for the funding of the church (70-73).
- The church is Christ’s body. Love her and with Nehemiah desire that things be in good order in her so God is glorified.