RPG Adults
ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (XIV)
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Nehemiah 11:1-24
Psalm 84
“Blessed are they that
dwell in thy house…”
ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (XIV)
The choice of where to live is a personal one and many consider various factors when making the choice. Few would put the choice of where to live as part of their congregational response and factor in their spiritual growth and well-being. By the time the wall was completed, there were few people living in the city (Neh 7:4). God put in Nehemiah’s heart the desire for its repopulation. In Nehemiah 11, we are given a record of those who took up dwelling in Jerusalem.
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem (Neh 11:1). The people in their commitment to the oaths they made, led by their leaders, made provisions for repopulating Jerusalem. Their rulers and a portion of the rest of the people took up residence in Jerusalem. Those who relocated were listed in groups: (i) Judah (Neh 11:4-6), (ii) Benjamin (Neh 11:7‑9), (iii) Priests (Neh 11:10-14), (iv) Levites (Neh 11:15-18), (v) Porters (Neh 11:19-20), (vi) Nethinims (Neh 11:21), and (vii) singers (Neh 11:22‑24). This exercise was done by the casting of lots. This was not due to reluctance among the people, because at the completion of the exercise, “the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem” (Neh 11:2). This implied that the men who chose to live in Jerusalem prioritised public and spiritual good over any personal preference, and so they chose to relocate with joy. The spiritual good was seen in Jerusalem being “the holy city.” The public good was seen in the security of the city being enhanced, and the duties of those who lived in Jerusalem performed with “every one in his watch” (Neh 7:3). They were willing to make such a choice despite their personal interests and inconveniences. Those who took up residence within the city were mentioned. Those who willingly offered themselves to dwell within Jerusalem also willingly offered themselves to: (i) give up their previous residence in the cities of Judah where “dwelt every one in his possession” (Neh 11:3); (ii) give up previous convenience and to take on additional duties by virtue of relocating to Jerusalem like the Levites who had “oversight of the outward business of the house of God” (Neh 11:16).
THOUGHT: Choose to live where my spiritual growth is best aided.
PRAYER: (Pray for grace and wisdom to make spiritual choices.)