June 26, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Nehemiah? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 7 (NIV)
1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. 3 I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot……..Continue Reading
Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah puts structure and order back in place. He did not put himself in a position of authority rather he appointed people he felt were good and faithful men.
Then we run through the lists of the families returned from exile and there is still tradition and rule in place where those who don’t have the proper lineage can’t be priests. We see again God’s care for order and leadership and attention to detail.
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah 7
Leaders were chosen by Nehemiah. Integrity and reverence. Key qualities. Still true today. So the wall is finished but the protection from enemies was to be set. Don’t open the gates till people are awake and alert. People living near the wall were to watch over parts of the wall. Tempting to relax after a task is completed for God. But always continue to watch over and care for what God has entrusted us with. First pray for Gods protection and use the brains God has given us. We have a security system at Church. We have people that watch over on Sunday mornings while we are worshiping. And when it comes to our own protection from an enemy. Pray. Dress the armor of God. Be alert as Nehemiah was constantly
Nehemiah 7
After the wall and doors were in place Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, musicians, and Levites. He also appointed his brother Hanani and Hananiah [ ruler of the palace] in charge over Jerusalem. He states his reason for Hananiah that he is a faithful man, and feared God above many. And then he had these two men appoint people to watch the gates. Even when to shut the gates, Then God had put into his heart that the people should gather for registration of the families. He found the record of the people that came in the first return. The rest of the chapter is this listing of the people and their families. This record is also in Ezra 2. Nehemiah is a faithful man and he appoints other faithful men. But he brings up the fact that Hananiah is a faithful man more than most. What a honor to be considered a faithful man. For this is what God wants us to be. God desires all of us as Christians to be faithful to Him. God says alot about faithful and faithfulness in the Bible. Here is one of them. Luke 12;42 [ And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season]. The scriptures also says [ Proverbs 20;6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find/]. May we be the faithful people God wants us to be.
Amen to Kelly, Mark, Dennis regarding selection of faithful men to rule. Men whose performance and integrity are meet for leadership. Football coach Tony Dungy told players they must perform, and have off the field honorable behavior to make the team cut. One particular player was awesome on the field, but had a character issue. Though the team could excel with this individual, Tony knew there were higher values.
May we as Christians, like Nehemiah, select (elect) candidates for leadership those who are both excellent performers and of character and integrity. Remember Saul.
In peace, gordy
Character and integrity in leadership is essential with all that they are called to manage and be responsible for. It is great that Nehemiah noticed that in others and was willing to indicate that and validate it in the position they held. And yet it was also someone who Nehemiah knew well and therefore really could be trusted. It is also interesting that he engaged others in the protection of the wall and even was wise to ask people to take care of what was right in front of them. And it only made sense to make sure the wall was secure before homes could be built because what good would a home be that couldn’t be protected. And how important detailed and accurate records are especially for the Jews to assure the appropriateness for positions held as well as for property held. There really were not that many as the remnant returned from exile and tried to reestablish the people of God in the promised land. How good it is that those who worship God now worship Him in Spirt and in truth so we don’t have to worry about geography when it comes to our worship and knowledge of God.
….such a key point in your closing statement, that in our present status within the new covenant because of what Christ accomplished in this age of grace, we have access God through Christ wherever we are without the works required by old testament laws. We live in an amazing time in history.
Agree and thanks….
In the resuming of life after the rebuilding, he appoints someone to be in charge of Jerusalem who has not only has leadership experience, but one who feared God MORE than most people do…..the physical, mental and tactical training and experience was important enough to me mentioned, but clearly coupled with Integrity and respect to our God. Nehemiah following through with the next steps of setting up a hierarchy of leadership for order, protection, and peace.
I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
Nehemiah 7
“Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.”
I was thinking when I read this about the appointment of singers and the specific instruction by God with regard to music and musicians in worship. Then I was thinking of how man has corrupted or usurped the purpose of music. I’m not trying to be legalistic about music, but I couldn’t help but think of the original creation, celebration and purpose of music and what it will be like in heaven. It would be interesting to do a Bible word study on music, singers, instruments, etc.
Just one:
1 Chronicles 15:16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.