Scripture Daily

Context No. 3886 of 4322 · Nehemiah

Context · Reflection

Nehemiah 11:1-6: in context

1The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities. 2The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem. 3Now these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah, everyone lived in his possession in their cities—Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants. 4Some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; 5and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.

As Jerusalem is being resettled, a need arises: the holy city has been rebuilt, but few people live in it. So lots are cast to bring one in ten of the people to dwell in Jerusalem, and the passage adds a warm detail: the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to live in Jerusalem.

Living in the city meant leaving one's own land and possessions in the countryside for a place that was more exposed and demanding, and some offered themselves for it gladly. There is honor here for those who willingly take up the harder, less comfortable service. Someone had to live in the vulnerable, rebuilt city to make it a true home again, and those who volunteered for that costly task were blessed by the whole community. It is easy to want the benefits of God's work while leaving the demanding parts to others. But God's work always needs those who will willingly offer themselves for the hard and unglamorous places, and such willing servants are precious and honored.

Am I willing to offer myself gladly for the harder, less comfortable service that God's work needs, rather than leaving the demanding places to others while I enjoy the benefits?

Sources