Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes” 1 | Page We return again to the Book of Nehemiah to continue to watch the development and growth of the re-built, re-populated city of Jerusalem. We’ve seen and taken notice of the process of restoring Jerusalem after 100 + years of neglect and abandonment. The first thing the Jews devoted themselves to was rebuilding the Temple – that was described in the Book of Ezra. Secondly, they focused on the walls of the city – we saw that in the early chapters of the Book of Nehemiah. Finally, with those things in place, they began to focus on the houses and buildings within those walls. You may recall we read back in chapter 7, The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Nehemiah 7:4 As a wise leader, Nehemiah realizes that the next step is going to have to be to get the homes and buildings rebuilt so that the people can move into the city and fill it with the activity of life once again. Now that we come to chapter 11, we fast forward through the story and the buildings are rebuilt; the homes are in place; the streets are paved (not really) and the shrubbery is planted (again, not really). All we need now is people. The decision to live in Jerusalem would not have been an easy one for people to make. It would have been a sacrifice to live within the city at this time. Many of the amenities of life were not yet in place in this formerly abandoned city. I kidded that the roads were paved and the shrubs were planted – actually that is pretty unlikely. Those things would get done, but they were not done yet. To make a comparison with our day, the walls and the roof of the homes were up, but they did not yet have running water or electricity. Those things will come – just be patient. Sure we have bathrooms. They are down the street and around the block. Sounds lovely. Another good comparison might be if you were offered the opportunity to help repopulate, restore and rebuild the city of Detroit. For decades now, thousands upon thousands of people have been fleeing the Motor City for the suburbs of Michigan or for new states all together. In its’ hey day, Detroit was home to nearly 1.9 million people. Today that number sits around 650,000 - a number which has been dropping every year for nearly five decades. The city itself
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Transcript
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
1 | P a g e
We return again to the Book of Nehemiah to continue to watch the development and growth of
the re-built, re-populated city of Jerusalem. We’ve seen and taken notice of the process of
restoring Jerusalem after 100 + years of neglect and abandonment. The first thing the Jews
devoted themselves to was rebuilding the Temple – that was described in the Book of Ezra.
Secondly, they focused on the walls of the city – we saw that in the early chapters of the Book
of Nehemiah. Finally, with those things in place, they began to focus on the houses and
buildings within those walls.
You may recall we read back in chapter 7,
The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been
rebuilt.
Nehemiah 7:4
As a wise leader, Nehemiah realizes that the next step is going to have to be to get the homes
and buildings rebuilt so that the people can move into the city and fill it with the activity of life
once again.
Now that we come to chapter 11, we fast forward through the story and the buildings are
rebuilt; the homes are in place; the streets are paved (not really) and the shrubbery is planted
(again, not really). All we need now is people. The decision to live in Jerusalem would not have
been an easy one for people to make. It would have been a sacrifice to live within the city at
this time. Many of the amenities of life were not yet in place in this formerly abandoned city.
I kidded that the roads were paved and the shrubs were planted – actually that is pretty
unlikely. Those things would get done, but they were not done yet. To make a comparison with
our day, the walls and the roof of the homes were up, but they did not yet have running water
or electricity. Those things will come – just be patient. Sure we have bathrooms. They are
down the street and around the block. Sounds lovely.
Another good comparison might be if you were offered the opportunity to help repopulate,
restore and rebuild the city of Detroit. For decades now, thousands upon thousands of people
have been fleeing the Motor City for the suburbs of Michigan or for new states all together. In
its’ hey day, Detroit was home to nearly 1.9 million people. Today that number sits around
650,000 - a number which has been dropping every year for nearly five decades. The city itself
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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declared bankruptcy in the summer of 2013. The crime rate of the city has soared to almost
five times the national average in every category of violent crime (murder, rape, armed
robbery, theft, burglary, etc) for the past 15 years. The schools are considered among the
worst performing schools in the nation. Not a very rosy picture. Now, imagine someone
coming to you and offering you ‘the opportunity’ to come and live in Detroit and be a part of
the ‘renaissance’. Your mind might tell you that this is a good idea and necessary for the
restoration of the city - that, all the city really needs is some honest, hardworking men and
women. Your head might say that, but your heart is saying, “Are you nuts? I ain’t moving
there.”
In some ways, that is the condition of things in Jerusalem. Things aren’t that bad as it pertains
to crime etc, but as far as its level of development, this rebuilt Jerusalem is far from finished.
It’s not yet the thriving city it once was. People that move there are going to have to make
some real sacrifices and put up with some (hopefully) temporary inconveniences as things
come on line.
Hopefully you recall from our study last week that Chapter 10 was a chapter of dedication in
which the people pledged themselves to do whatever it was that God called them to do.
The rest of the people… joined with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and
an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe
and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and His rules and His statutes.
Nehemiah 10:29
Chapter 11 is about the rubber meeting the road. God, I’ll do whatever you want? OK, I want
you to go and live in Jerusalem. To follow the Lord and His leading will likely require you to step
out of your place of comfort and endure difficulties for the sake of the kingdom of God. David
endured hardship that he might continue to honor the LORD and touch not the Lord’s anointed.
Moses chose to endure affliction and suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the
passing pleasures of sin for a season. Esther declared if I die I die and went in to the presence of
the king on behalf of the Jewish people. More often than not, the answer to our prayer for
personal or spiritual revival is going to mean having to leave our place of comfort and go places
we never thought we would go and do things we would never chose to do.
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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That brings us to our story today. Let’s pick up our story in Nehemiah chapter 11. Beginning in
verse 1, we read,
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to
bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
It wouldn’t be easy to live in Jerusalem which is why it is so important to see the first verse of
the chapter.
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to
bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
Leaders need to set the example. Leaders can’t just say, This is what needs to be done. They
must show what needs to be done. These leaders had no right to expect the people to live in
Jerusalem if they themselves were not living there. And to their credit, they lead well by
sacrificing their own wants, needs, desires, etc and going to live in the city.
In addition to the leaders, a lottery system is put in place to select 10% of the population to
come and live in the city as well.
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to
bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
The people had tithed their produce and possessions in the previous chapter, now the LORD is
asking them to tithe their lives as well. The population essentially submits itself to the lot. OK,
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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Lord, all of us are willing to go if that is what you desire. Show us your will. And then the straws
were drawn leading to ten percent relocating into the city and the remaining people returning
to their homes in the surrounding villages.
Verse 2 provides us with one final additional group that populates the city. We’ve seen the
leaders and those chosen by lot. This final group is comprised of those that willingly offered to
live in Jerusalem.
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to
bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
It is interesting to note that the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to
bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
The idea of blessing the men is congratulating them; cheering them on; honoring them for their
decision. My question is: If they are so excited for the people making this decision, why don’t
they make the decision themselves? The opportunity for them to volunteer was just as
available to them as it was to these other men. It was there for them as well, but they chose
not to take it. Instead they merely cheer on those that do.
Commenting on this, G. Campbell Morgan wrote,
It really is an easy thing, for those who do not volunteer, to applaud those that do.
Applause of heroism is neither costly nor valuable.
G. Campbell Morgan
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The 90% were not required to participate in the work, (ie move into the city), but the blessing
(God’s blessing, not just man’s congratulations) that was reserved for those that did would then
be missed in their lives. There is great blessing in serving the Lord. Sadly, many times we miss
it because we are not actually doing it – rather we are content to cheer on those that do.
Maybe it’s time for you to get off the sidelines and actually get in the game. Those are sobering
words, but important to hear. The place of blessing is in the doing.
I’m reminded of one other thing as I look at these folks volunteering to live in Jerusalem. You
remember that all of these folks that were back in the land were part of the few that chose to
return to Israel. (Do you remember that we said that only about 2% of the people returned
when granted permission by kings Cyrus and Darius?). As I said before, these are the cream of
the crop. These are those that decided to leave the comforts of Persia and come to the land of
Israel because God had called them. Here the Lord is calling them again. The Lord in His love
will keep calling your life to be stretched – that’s how spiritual muscles are built.
The walk with Jesus is not a one-time decision, but rather a daily decision - a daily decision to go
deeper and deeper and deeper with Him. That’s the process of being conformed into the
image of Christ. How easy it would have been for many of these folks to say, I’ve already made
great sacrifices. I’ve already made life changing decisions. Let somebody else step out in faith.
And again, that’s fine. These are still children of God. But the place of blessing is in continually
responding. Maybe you have been a follower of Christ for some time. Let me ask you: Are
you still responding to God’s call to step out in faith? Or, are you instead saying, Let someone
else do it? Keep saying yes. That’s the place of blessing.
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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Beginning now in verse 3, we have the names of those that do say yes. As we have seen with
other lists in the Books of Nehemiah and Ezra, they are divided into various categories. The first
group are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem
These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah
everyone lived on his property in their towns: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple
servants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants.
Nehemiah 11:3
Among them are, as it says in verse 4, certain sons of Judah and Benjamin
And in Jerusalem lived certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin.
Nehemiah 11:4a
The tribes of Judah and Benjamin made up the inhabitants of the southern half of the land of
Israel. Jerusalem is a city within the area of the southern half of Israel. It is the largest city
within the area reserved for the tribe of Judah. Of the sons of Judah you have Athaiah the son
of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah……. (I’ll let you read through the rest).
Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son
of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the sons of Perez; 5and Maaseiah the son of
Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of
Zechariah, son of the Shilonite.
Nehemiah 11:4b-5
Notice verse 6,
All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.
Nehemiah 11:6
Perez was a descendent of the tribe of Judah. In addition, he was the great, great, great, great,
great, great, great, grandfather of King David. (7 greats). So then, of the sons of Judah 468
heed the Lord’s call and make their way to live in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.
Nehemiah 11:6
As we saw, in addition to the sons of Judah, were the sons of Benjamin. They are listed in verse
7 and following.
And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of
Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, and his brothers,
men of valor, 928. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of
Hassenuah was second over the city.
Nehemiah 11:7-9
There are 928 of these men of valor.
And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of
Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, and his brothers,
men of valor, 928. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of
Hassenuah was second over the city.
Nehemiah 11:7-9
Did you notice that? The sons of Benjamin are called men of valor. The sons of Judah were
referred to as valiant men. It takes courage to walk with the Lord and to go where he tells you
to go. But again, that’s the place of blessing.
Continuing in verse 10,
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Kilkiah, son of
Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, and
their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of
Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashur, som of Malchijah, and his brothers,
heads of fathers’ houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of
Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer
was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.
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Nehemiah 11:10-14
The priests were of the tribe of Levi and of this tribe 1,192 go and live in Jerusalem. (822 +242
+128).
Notice also, these folks are also called mighty men of valor.
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Kilkiah, son of
Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, and
their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of
Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashur, som of Malchijah, and his brothers,
heads of fathers’ houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of
Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer
was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.
Nehemiah 11:10-14
In addition to the priests, were those Levites that were non-priests. (Remember to be a priest
you had to be of the tribe of Levi and a descendent of Aaron). Of these non-priests you have,
Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni. (I’ll let you read
the rest).
And the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of
Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the
outside work of the house of God; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of
Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second
among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. All the
Levites in the holy city were 284.
Nehemiah 11:15-18
The total number of this group of people is listed in verse 18 – 284.
And the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of
Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the
outside work of the house of God; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second
among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. All the
Levites in the holy city were 284.
Nehemiah 11:15-18
The next group is also of the tribe of Levi. Specifically these are the Levites with the job of
keeping the gates of the city/temple. We read of them and their number in verse 19.
The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were
172.
Nehemiah 11:19
Continuing in verse 20,
And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah,
everyone in his inheritance. But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa
were over the temple servants.
Nehemiah 11:20-21
Notice, the temple servants live on Ophel.
And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah,
everyone in his inheritance. But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa
were over the temple servants.
Nehemiah 11:20-21
Ophel was/is a ridge of hills in Jerusalem that was fortified for defense of the southeastern
corner of the city. Ophel lies between the temple mount area and the city of David along the
eastern wall of the city.
Beginning in verse 21, we begin to have the names of the various people that served in
overseeing roles there in the city of Jerusalem. Verse 21 listed the names of the two men
leading the temple servants.
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But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple
servants.
Nehemiah 11:21
Uzzi is listed as the overseer of the Levites in verse 22. (I suspect Uzzi is not a guy you want to
mess with).
The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of
Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of
God. 23 For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision
for the singers, as every day required.
Nehemiah 11:22-23
Verse 24 lists Pethahiah as being at the king’s side in all matters. That is, he is the king’s
advisor.
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the
king’s side in all matters concerning the people.
Nehemiah 11:24
At the king’s side is kind of a weird statement, because the Jews do not have a king of their
own and the king they do have (the King of Persia) wouldn’t have been in Israel. The issue is
resolved in that the phrase translated at the king’s side is one that can simply be translated
deputy. Pethahiah is simply a person appointed by the king (Darius II ??) in matters
concerning the people.
Verse 25,
And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba
and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, and in
Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet, in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its villages, in
Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam,
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its villages. So they encamped
from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba
onward, at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor,
Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And
certain divisions of the Levites in Judah were assigned to Benjamin.
Nehemiah 11:25-36
We have a map to give you an idea of the location of many of the villages on the outskirts and
beyond of the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is starred in the middle with the as many of the
surrounding villages marked as I could find.
Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”
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Let’s continue on into chapter 12. Before we read the opening verses of chapter 12, I’ll remind
you that Nehemiah, Ezra and some of these other names that we have been consdering lived
approximately around the time period of 430 BC. Their predecessors before them, were people
like Zerubbabel (the Governor) and Jeshua (the High Priest). These two men led the people way
back in the closing years of the 500’s BC. Remember, Nehemiah and Ezra are the key figures we
have been following in the Book of Nehemiah and in the closing chapters of the Book of Ezra.
Zerubbabel and Joshua were the key figures in the opening chapters of the Book of Ezra. Here
now in chapter 12, Nehemiah goes back 100 years and lists the names of those that served with
Zerubbabel the governor and Jeshua the high priest. Eighteen men are listed.
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These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,
and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Maluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum,