There are a couple of things that I learned in these passages.
In Chapter 11 Nehemiah asked one-tenth of the people outside of Jerusalem
to volunteer to move and live in Jerusalem. Even though the leaders of
the people settled in the Jerusalem as stated in verse 1, it is interesting
that Nehemiah cast lots so that one-tenth of the rest of the people also moved
into Jerusalem. It makes me wonder why not very many seemed to want to
move there voluntarily. Perhaps it meant a lot of work rebuilding their
houses.
In Chapter 12:44 - 47 these verses talk about the various men that
were appointed for different tasks. Some were in charge of the storerooms
for the contributions, which were for the Priests and Levites. In Chapter
13 Tobiah has given a storeroom to a priest named Eliashib. When Nehemiah
returns to Jerusalem and sees what Tobiah has done by giving a storeroom to
Eliashib which was against God's commands , Nehemiah takes action.
Nehemiah sees how the people have sinned against God and have turned away
from obeying God's commands. Nehemiah obeys God and tells the Israelites
they need to change their ways and obey God's commands.
My Life Application Bible has a great way of explaining this Book
of the Bible. It said "This book is about rebuilding the wall of a
great city, but it is also about spiritual renewal, rebuilding a people's
dependence on God. When we take our eyes off God, our lives begin to
crumble."
3 comments:
It's interesting to see how quickly the Israelites turn from God and do selfish things. We too do the same and need to be on guard daily to make sure we live the way God wants. We are no stronger than the Israelites back then, if we aren't living the way God wants.
We definitely need to build a solid spiritual foundation and not allow our lives to crumble due to sin's destructive power.
Temptation can be so strong and we will be weak without a strong foundation in God. Such a good reminder to have a solid foundation for a Christ first life.
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