Nehemiah 11:7-14: a reflection

7These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. 8After him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. 9Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city. 10Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house, 12and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13and his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

As Jerusalem is resettled after the exile, the account records the names of those who took up residence in the holy city and did the work of its rebuilding and service. Priests who did the work of the house of God, chiefs of families, capable men appointed to their tasks: these are listed by name, honored for taking up the work of settling and serving in the city that needed to be rebuilt. Someone had to do this work, to leave what was comfortable and settle the city, to serve in the house of God, to take up the unglamorous labor of reestablishing the holy city; and those who did are recorded and honored by name. God honors those who take up the work of his house, who step forward to do what needs doing, even the ordinary labor of building and rebuilding. The names of those who did the work are not forgotten but recorded. To take up the work of God's house, and to be faithful in it, is honored by God, who remembers those who do it.

Notice whom the account records: those who took up the work of settling and serving in Jerusalem. This is not a list of the famous or the great, but of those who did the needed work, who settled the city, who served in the house of God, who took up the ordinary labor of rebuilding. And they are recorded by name, honored for their part. Someone had to do this work; the holy city would not resettle or its service continue by itself. Those who stepped forward to do it, faithful in the unglamorous labor of building and serving, are remembered. This tells us that God honors those who take up the work of his house, who do what needs doing rather than leaving it undone, even when the work is ordinary and unheralded. The names of the faithful workers are recorded before God, not forgotten. To take up the work of God's house is honored by him, however unglamorous the labor. God sees and remembers those who do the work, and records their names. The faithful worker is not overlooked.

That is worth taking to heart, for God honors those who take up the work of his house, even the ordinary labor of building and serving. We can leave the work of God's house to others, unwilling to take up the unglamorous labor of building, serving, doing what needs doing; but those who settled and served in Jerusalem are recorded and honored by name. God honors those who step forward to do the work, faithful in the ordinary labor of his house. To take up that work, and be faithful in it, is not forgotten by God. Do not leave the work of God's house for others while you hold back; take it up, as those who resettled and served Jerusalem did, and know that God honors it. Take up the work of God's house, the ordinary labor of building and serving, as those who resettled Jerusalem and served in the house of God are recorded and honored by name; for God honors those who step forward to do what needs doing rather than leaving it undone, and the names of the faithful workers, though the work be unglamorous and unheralded, are not forgotten but recorded before him, so that to take up the work of his house and be faithful in it is honored by God, who sees and remembers those who do it.

Lord, as Jerusalem is resettled after the exile, the account records the names of those who took up residence in the holy city and did the work of its rebuilding and service. Priests who did the work of the house of God, chiefs of families, capable men appointed to their tasks: these are listed by name, honored for taking up the work of settling and serving in the city that needed to be rebuilt. Someone had to do this work, to leave what was comfortable and settle the city, to serve in the house of God, to take up the unglamorous labor of reestablishing the holy city; and those who did are recorded and honored by name. You honor those who take up the work of your house. Show me whom the account records: those who took up the work of settling and serving in Jerusalem. This is not a list of the famous, but of those who did the needed work. And they are recorded by name, honored for their part. Someone had to do this work; the holy city would not resettle by itself. Those who stepped forward to do it, faithful in the unglamorous labor, are remembered. This tells me that you honor those who take up the work of your house, who do what needs doing rather than leaving it undone. The names of the faithful workers are recorded before you, not forgotten. Take that to my heart, for you honor those who take up the work of your house, even the ordinary labor of building and serving. I can leave the work of your house to others, unwilling to take up the unglamorous labor; but those who settled and served in Jerusalem are recorded and honored by name. Keep me from leaving the work of your house for others while I hold back; help me take it up, Lord, as those who resettled and served Jerusalem did, knowing that you honor it and do not forget those who do it.