Text: Nehemiah 6:15-7:72, Ephesians 4:16
Remember that rhyme from childhood – “Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people”?
This work is done! The wall is finished. So what does Nehemiah do? He gathered the people that they might be “reckoned by genealogy” (ESV). He takes count, he notices. He lists those exiled, the people who had been forgotten by the world and seen as abandoned by God. He lists every good and perfect gift that God has seen and purposed and used to protect and rebuild the city. If this portion of Nehemiah is about reinstructing, I think it is so incredibly significant that it starts with naming and seeing people.
Ephesians four tells us that when we are working properly together, the body grows and builds itself up. THIS is reinstructing we probably all need to do. This work of turning inward to our respective communities and seeing one another, the way the Lord sees us, as good and perfect gifts that are needed and valuable and working together in a way that brings Him glory and is for the good of us all.
Notice what Nehemiah says about the city size as compared to the people’s size? The city is wide and large, but the people are few. I don’t think it was a jab at the people, that’s not Nehemiah’s style. I think it was more to say – look what this smallish group of people has accomplished on a massive and large scale? Look what they’ve done. Look what you’ve done. There is such beauty being lost in a team, in a people. There is such grace in stopping to see the people around you, thanking God for them, and moving forward – together.
Father, help us to see one another, covered in the blood of Jesus, as you see us – joints equipped for their individual works that help the whole body work and grow the way it was created to.
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Just found this blog on someone else’s blog, and would love to be a part of it! Sign me up please! And thanks for doing this … I’ve been searching for a workable devotional since my baby was born and my schedule turned upside down. That was 2 years ago. Love the getting into the Word part, and then the getting god Word into your heart part.
Hi Bethany, that's great that you have found this community. It really is a great place to delve deeper into Gods word. It is a simple structure that will fit perfectly with your needs. Try and have a journal at hand and record what God says to you :) I too needed something to keep me rooted in the word and this works so well. You can start the Nehemiah from the beginning and just follow along in your own time. Just whatever suits :) enjoy!!!!! :)
Genealogy (toledoth) has been and still is important in the Jewish culture and to God. God commanded His people not to mix and/or mingle with other nations. He knew that once this happened the Israelites would search after others gods.
This has nothing to do with bigotry but the realistic fact that bad rubs off on good quicker than good on bad. Belief deals with matters of the heart. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8 KJV)
This is why God said NO! This is why the Jews and Samaritans separated. This is why Ezra recorded those who returned from exile. God has always made a distinction between the world and His chosen people. He did it with Noah, Shem, Abram, Isaac, Jacob…
He is still doing it today…AND…He has grafted us…The Church into His plan. This is bigger than a census; THIS IS GENEALOGY! This is so-to-speak…The Lamb’s Book of Life. There is a work to be done in the earth and not just anyone can accomplish it.
We are…
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6 KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)
I agree that this census was the beginning of God repopulating the city of Jerusalem. He is truly the keeper of his covenant and will accomplish his purposes (Christ as our redeemer!). I also love that those around them in enemy cities were afraid, not of the people, but of the fact that it was God who had accomplished this great work through them. I think it is so interesting that Nehemiah did not count his work done after the wall was built. He continued to listen to what God had laid on his heart, and did just as he said. At each step, Nehemiah heard from God, and obeyed whatever it was he was calling him to do.