Nehemiah Setting Things in Order

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