Nehemiah 11
Scripture
Nehemiah 11:1-2
“The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.”
Observation-What does it say?
The city of Jerusalem needed to be re-established. The splendor of this once great city has now become a ghost town. After the walls were torn down from their enemies, the people scattered and began building their new lives just outside the city. The people found comfort out there. But now God has called His people to rebuild His city once again. The city walls have been rebuilt. Now the time has come to repopulate the city so it can have a governing body and a group of leaders to help establish God's holy city once more.
Understanding-What does it mean?
One of the best ways to lead people is to lead by example.
As I began reading this chapter I thought to myself, "why are the people casting sacred lots, (drawing straws), to see which tenth of them will be relocating to the city of Jerusalem?" I mean it seems to me that living within the city walls, God's holy city, would be a prestigious place to live. Why the lack of volunteers then? I hate moving and relocating just like the next person, but we are talking about living in God's holy city here!
Then the further I researched why the lack of volunteers to move, I saw that the people were fearful of moving back into the city. You see, their enemies were infuriated that the walls were put back up. Now if they chose to live there, they would be pretty much living there with a big target on their back! They knew that their enemies were just waiting for the opportunity to invade and conquer them once again.
Then there is also the comfort issue. The people grew comfortable living outside the city. The people were able to re-establish themselves and build their new homes outside the city. Now they would have to get up, move, and start new again?! That sounds like a big hassle! The particular skills that the people had best suited them to live out in the country parts of the region. Most of them were farmers and shepherds. So the way that they were able to provide financially for their families best suited them living in the country rather than the city. But they failed to see the "big picture" in all of this. This is God's calling for them. God is in control of their situation. He is ultimately the One who will bring them protection and provision through this.
Nehemiah and the leaders knew this. They chose to lead by example. They were the first to inhabit the city. When the others let fear and doubt creep in, they chose to trust God. They led the way, and encouraged the others to follow. They were not going to lead the people to do something that they weren't willing to do themselves. And to me, I will always respect and follow a leader who does that!
“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.”-Hebrews 13:7 NLT
Life Application
I will choose to honor and respect the leaders that God has anointed over me in life.
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”-Hebrews 13:17 NLT
With it being the eve of Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to all the spiritual leaders involved in my life. Thank you for showing me the way, and leading by example. Like I told my wife, my parents laid the foundation for me spiritually, but it was the leadership here at DSC that helped nurture and feed it to where it is today. Thank you Pastor Gary, Pastor Parker, Pastor Warren, and Pastor Levi for all you do! Like this chapter reminds me, you all could have done other things in life, maybe made more money with it, lived more comfortably, but you chose to answer God's calling. You have led DSC not only by your teachings, but by living it out and being a great example to all of us here. So thank you all, and may God bless you all!
Thank You Jesus for bringing me here to DSC. Thank You for surrounding me with these great leaders. Thank You Jesus for being our leader. You came out of the comforts of heaven to serve and not to be served. You died a sinner's death, so that I may live. For that, I am eternally grateful. That is why I choose to follow You. I love You Lord. May You grant me the strength and courage to step out of my comfort zone and trust You when You call me. I know when I choose to follow You, I will be provided for, and there is no other place that is safer for me and my family to be. In Your name Jesus I pray these things, Amen.