Nehemiah 11

1We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”

to honor God first, the Israelites would be refusing to makemoney their god. Our culture often makes us choose betweenconvenience and profit on the one hand, and putting God firston the other. Look at your work and worship habits: Is Godreally first?10:31 Canceling all debts every seventh year was a part ofthe law (see Exodus 23:10, 11 and Deuteronomy 15:1, 2).The people were reciting and promising to obey God’s lawand keep the covenant.40:32 The Temple had been rebuilt under Ezra’s leadershipabout 70 years earlier (Ezra 6:14, 15). So the Temple tax, offer-ings, and festivals had been restored.10:35 This practice was instituted at the time of the Exodusfrom Egypt (see the note on Exodus 13:12-14). The peopleneeded to relearn the importance of dedicating the first part oftheir yield to God. Nehemiah was simply reinstating this practicefrom the early days of the nation (Exodus 13:1, 2; Numbers3:40-51). Although this principle was not carried over to NewTestament times, the concept of giving God the first portionof our time, treasure, and talent still remains. Do you give Godyour first and best or merely what is left over?10:37-39 According to God’s law, the people were to givea tenth of their produce to the Temple for the support of theLevites (those who cared for the Temple and the religiousobservances). A tenth of what the Levites received or producedwent to the priests tor their support. The principle at work wasto ensure the support of the house of God and his workers. Wemust not overlook our responsibility to God’s workers today.

2. Nehemiah establishes policies

The People Occupy Jerusalem

11 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. 2And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. 3Here is a list of the names of the provincial officials who came to live in Jerusalem. (Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah, 4but some of the people from Judah and Benjamin resettled in Jerusalem.) From the tribe of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the family of Perez. SAlso Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, of the family of Shelah.* 6There were 468 descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem—all outstanding men. 7From the tribe of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah. 8After him were Gabbai and Sallai and a total of 928 relatives. 9Their chief officer was Joel son of Zicri, who was assisted by Judah son of Hassenuah, second-in-command over the city. 10From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jakin; '’and Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the supervisor of the Temple of God. 12Also 822 of their associates, who worked at the Temple. Also Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malkijah, 13along with 242 of his associates, who were heads of their families. Also Amashsai son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer, 4and 128 of his* outstanding associates. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. 15From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni. 16Also Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of the work outside the Temple of God. 17Also Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Also Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah’s assistant, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. 18In all, there were 284 Levites in the holy city. 19From the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and 172 of their associates, who guarded the gates. 20The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah. 21The Temple servants, however, whose leaders were Ziha and Gishpa, all lived on the hill of Ophel. 22The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, a descendant of Asaph, whose family served as singers at God’s Temple. 23Their daily responsibilities were carried out according to the terms of a royal command. 24Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the royal adviser in all matters of public administration. 25As for the surrounding villages with their open fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba with its settlements, Dibon with its settlements, and Jekabzeel with its villages. 26They also lived in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth-pelet, 2?Hazar-shual, Beersheba with its settlements, 28Ziklag, and Meconah with its settlements. 29They also lived in En-rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, 30Zanoah, and Adullam with their surrounding villages. They also lived in Lachish with its nearby fields and Azekah with its surrounding villages. So the people of Judah were living all the way from Beersheba in the south to the valley of Hinnom. 31Some of the people of Benjamin lived at Geba, Micmash, Aija, and Bethel with its settlements. 32They also lived in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,?3Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, $4Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 25Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen.* 36Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin.