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“Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. ² The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.³ These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on their own property in the various towns, ⁴ while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem):From the descendants of Judah:Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez;“NIV

‘’ Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt’’ (Nehemiah 7:4).

Tom Hale explains: ‘Therefore, Nehemiah and the other leaders made a plan to increase Jerusalem’s population; their plan was to choose by lot one out of every ten Jewish families living in the towns of Judah and Benjamin and have them move to Jerusalem. In addition to the people chosen by lot, many others volunteered to live in Jerusalem, and they were commended for it. One purpose in increasing Jerusalem’s population was to provide additional defenders in the event of an attack. A second purpose was to increase the number of priests and Levites available to serve in the temple…

Jerusalem had suffered the greatest loss of life during the Babylonian attacks; thus among the returning exiles, there were relatively few who had originally come from the city. Most exiles settled in their former towns outside Jerusalem, thereby leaving the city underpopulated.’ ‘The Applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.764.

Matthew Henry comes at this from a slightly different angle. He suggests 3 reasons why some people may have been reluctant to live in Jerusalem:

1. It was the ‘holy’ city, and therefore a stricter holiness was required of its residents;
2. It was a place of greater danger, being such a focus of special attention from Israel’s enemies. (‘Fear of persecution and reproach, keep many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion…’);
3. There was more opportunity for trading and making money in the countryside than in this city.

Whether we agree with all Henry’s points or not, I would certainly accede that:

• There are some believers who don’t particularly want all God has for them. They would identify with the ironic prayer, ‘Lord make me holy, but not yet!’
• There are certainly those in the ranks of the professing church who are more concerned for self-preservation and self-advantage than they are to display Kingdom boldness and sacrifice.

PRAYER: Lord, you know we are not yet perfect, and we thank you that you don’t write us off because we are flawed. Self rears its ugly head in our lives more often than we want to admit. But we do confess our self-centredness and lack of godliness. Teach us Lord to ‘’hunger and thirst’’ for righteousness, knowing you will ‘fill’ us.

THOUGHT: We are at this moment as close to God as we choose to be (J.O.Sanders)

“³⁵ ‘We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.³⁶ ‘As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.³⁷ ‘Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. ³⁸ A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. ³⁹ The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept.“NIV

‘We will not neglect the house of our God.’

‘There is no truer test of a man’s spirituality than his attitude to his possessions.’

Jesus taught: ‘’It is more blessed to give than to receive’’ (Acts 20:35).

As we read the Bible, we will find that there is a lot of teaching there about ‘stuff’– about material possessions, money and giving. If we have open hearts, we will start to form convictions about how and what we should give. For myself, I have come to believe that, as someone put it, the tithe (ten per cent) should be ‘the floor’ and not ‘the ceiling’ of Christian giving.

As these people came under the sound of God’s Word (36), they recognised their need to repent of their financial/material ‘’negelct’’ of God’s House (39b), and they made a commitment to do something about this.

‘Though they paid great taxes to the kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them, they would not make that an excuse for not paying their tithes, but would render to God the things that were his, as well as to Caesar the things that were his.’ Matthew Henry.

To give as the Bible teaches we should, takes faith – and at sometimes more than another – but it is one of the main ways we ‘’prove’’ God’s reality for ourselves(Malachi 3:10ff), and it is ‘’more blessed’’ than getting.

³⁴ ‘We – the priests, the Levites and the people – have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.“NIV

At some point in the past, I wrote this note in the margin of my Bible, next to verse 34:

‘Let each worshipper bring his or her own contribution to the fire.’

Although, currently, there are limitations placed upon us with reference to physical gathering, we are still the church. The contribution of each one still matters. If you have the Holy Spirit (‘’…an anointing from the Holy One…and as that anointing is real…’’ 1 John 2:20, 27) you have something to bring, to offer, to give. You can still help to feed and fuel the fire in the local church.

‘There’s a work for Jesus only you can do.’

Don’t see this as time off because you can’t turn up ‘at church’ week by week. Your church needs you! Keep in touch with the Spirit. Be alert to His prodding. Listen for His promptings. Do what he shows you, however small.

I was impressed by this sentence in Arthur Paul Boer’s book, ‘The way is made by walking’:

‘If a few words lighten someone’s journey then I want to offer such a blessing. Small talk is not necessarily trivial.’

You have wood to contribute to the fire. Don’t store it up in your shed.

PRAYER: Lord, please show me how you would have me spend my days, my hours, my minutes. Help me to give whatever you ask.

³² ‘We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: ³³ for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.³⁴ ‘We – the priests, the Levites and the people – have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.³⁵ ‘We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lordeach year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.” NIV

It concerns me that we increasingly seem to find ourselves in an age in which every other person is a victim. Don’t get me wrong. I know what it is to be wounded, and some hurts go very deep. I think we will all say the same. But if we’re not very careful, we can start to assume the role of the victim, in which we make excuses, and play the blame game, instead of taking responsibility for our own actions. Part of this may also mean facing up to the fact that we ourselves have hurt others. Maybe not intentionally, but the reality is that we probably have.

I am struck by these words in today’s passage: ‘’We assume the responsibility…We also assume responsibility…’’ (32,35). Here were people facing up to the fact that they’d gone wrong, and taking responsibility to put things right. They weren’t blaming heredity or environment or anything else for their sins. Here, they were taking responsibility to rectify their giving according to what they had seen in God’s Word. They weren’t making excuses for their previous behaviour, but they were determined to set things right. Matthew Henry makes the point that the people were not forced to do this by taxation, but they took themselves in hand. They ‘made it an ordinance for themselves,and charged themselves with it.’

Perhaps the first step we need to take towards financial responsibility is to commit to giving according to Biblical principles. As Jesus said:

‘’But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well’’ (Matthew 6:33).

‘If everyone will act, and everyone will give, though but little, towards a good work, the whole amount will be considerable.’ Matthew Henry

“³⁰ ‘We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.³¹ ‘When the neighbouring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.“NIV

As we read the remainder of this chapter, it will be good to keep in mind these words from Tom Hale:

‘These verses list the specific commitments the people agreed to in writing. These commitments are only a tiny portion of all the commands of the Lord the people had promised to obey (verse 29). Probably these specific commitments are emphasised here because they had been badly neglected in the past; most of them relate to the services and upkeep of the temple. These commitments may not at first glance seem to apply to modern Christians, but indeed they do. They concern separating oneself from evil, cleansing one’s home, obeying the commandments, contributing to the church, and serving God with one’s tithes and offerings. Let us not simply sign a pledge to do these things; let’s actually do them!’ ‘Applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.764.

Bible people know where to draw the line. There may well be more grey areas in life than some Christians care to admit, but there definitely are clear boundary lines in Scripture, and we need to know where they are and choose in advance that we are not going to transgress. As we read the Bible, we will develop a number of core convictions about right and wrong, and there are times we have to be ready to say, ‘’We promise not to…we will not…’’ There will be moments when we have to say, like Luther, ‘Here I stand. I can do no other!’ It may be costly.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that your Word is liveable. As I read it, enable me to grow in understanding of the things I should and should not do. Help me to not just form convictions, but to also embody them.

³⁸ ‘In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.’ 10 Those who sealed it were:Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hakaliah.Zedekiah, ² Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,³ Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,⁴ Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk,⁵ Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,⁶ Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,⁷ Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,⁸ Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah. These were the priests.⁹ The Levites:Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,¹⁰ and their associates: Shebaniah,Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,¹¹ Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah,¹² Zakkur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,¹³ Hodiah, Bani and Beninu.¹⁴ The leaders of the people:Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,¹⁵ Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,¹⁶ Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,¹⁷ Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,¹⁸ Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,¹⁹ Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,²⁰ Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,²¹ Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,²² Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,²³ Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,²⁴ Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,²⁵ Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,²⁶ Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,²⁷ Malluk, Harim and Baanah ²⁸ ‘The rest of the people – priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighbouring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand – ²⁹ all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.” NIV

Note especially these phrases:

‘’…for the sake of the Law of God’’ (28);

‘’…to follow the Law of God’’ (29a);

‘’…to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord’’ (29b).

As they surveyed their national history, and recognised their unfaithfulness and what it had cost them, the people made a life-defining commitment to be Bible men and women. Looking back over their shoulders, they realised they had repeatedly failed to be people of the Book. They had not simply strayed from it, but had often rebelled against it, and therefore against God. There was recognition of the need to make a solemn re-commitment to Him.

Throughout our Christian lives we may find that we need to come to moments of re-dedication. You may be in such a place right now. Thank God that because of His great mercy we can have a new beginning. But we must make any commitment in humble recognition that we will fall again and again if we try to do this in our own strength. We have to rely on God, and how wonderful it is that we can.

‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life.’

PRAYER: Lord I confess to you the ways in which I have gone astray and rebelled…I turn to you afresh, asking for forgiveness of sins through Jesus. I want to live fully and completely for you. Please help me by your Spirit to make good on this commitment. I need you Lord, every hour I need you.

“³⁶ ‘But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so that they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. ³⁷ Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.” NIV

‘He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king,’ Augustine.

Jesus said, ‘’Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave of sin’’ (John 8:34).

Note in today’s reading:

Sin means slavery. It offers freedom, but when we indulge in it, we find ourselves ensnared;

Sin causes us to live below our possibilities; our lives become less than God-intended; we fail to enjoy what He intends for us. Promising to give, it instead takes. It burgles our souls. Like the tempter himself, it is a thief;

Sin may offer pleasure and fulfilment, but it leads to ‘’great distress’’.

‘Sin attracts with its offer of pleasure, but in the end he who indulges finds that he has no pleasure at all.’ (David H. Wheaton).

‘’…a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him’’ (2 Peter 2:19b).

Thank God that in John 8 Jesus goes on to say: ‘’…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’’ (36). True freedom can be found in Him. He is the only way out of sin’s slavery.

“³² ‘Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes – the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. ³³ In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. ³⁴ Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep. ³⁵ Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.” NIV

It seems to me that verse 35 is a succinct summary of much that we have read in this prayer. As we come towards its culmination we can see that it’s an honest prayer (33). No-one is making excuses or complaining they have been unfairly treated. There is a recognition that God has acted justly.

Someone said that confession means ‘to speak the same thing.’ It is to agree with God about sin. We share His opinion of it.

These words of Matthew Henry prepare us for what we are to read next: ‘Those that would not serve God in their own land were made to serve their enemies in a strange land, as was threatened, Deu. 28:47, Deu. 28:48 . It is a pity that a good land should have bad inhabitants, but so it was with Sodom. Fatness and fulness often make men proud and sensual’.

I read an article today about Charles Spurgeon’s preaching in times of disaster. It included this paragraph:

‘This leads to the second major theme of Spurgeon’s preaching in calamity: clearly calling people to repentance. Reflecting on Jesus’ words in Luke 13:1­–5, Spurgeon believed that in every disaster, the appropriate response wasn’t to try to find its root cause, but to repent, turning away from sin and turning to God in humble dependence. This isn’t to say that we should ignore any practical lessons from the suffering. Spurgeon warned his people against foolish investments after the Great Panic. He reminded his people of the importance of proper hygiene during outbreaks. He spoke against oppressive governmental policies in the colonies. Ultimately, however, his preaching aimed at the individual’s repentance before God. Earthly sufferings only pointed to the greater judgment of God to come. Therefore, all suffering doubled as a warning to repent.’

We may not be able to dogmatically say that the current ‘plague’ is a judgment from God. But we do know we deserve His judgment. May this be a day of confession – of agreeing with God about sin – a day of radical repentance. This is the only way to true healing (2 Chronicles 7:14).

PRAYER: Lord, in these days, help us to search our hearts and repent of all sin. Thank you that we know ‘’you are a gracious and merciful God’’ (31).

“²⁹ ‘You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, “The person who obeys them will live by them.” Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. ³⁰ For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighbouring peoples. ³¹ But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” NIV

The man was ‘a vital repository of goodwill’ (Arthur Paul Boers, writing about a fellow ‘pilgrim’ on the ‘Camino’).

Yesterday’s passage probably referred to the days of the ‘Judges’. But today’s reading sums up subsequent years of Israelite history, leading to the captivity. During this time, the cycle continued, but the rebellion only deepened and intensified. However, what stands out is the Lord’s immense patience (30a): ‘’For many years you were patient with them.’’ God’s patience did not mean that judgment was prevented; but it was delayed. He gave the people ample time to repent. Even when the judgment finally fell, there was still mercy combined with it (31).

Peter, writing in the New Testament, about ‘last things’ – the winding up of history as we know it – says this:

‘’The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…’’  (2 Peter 3:9,10a).

Peter acknowledges that the merciful God is long-suffering. He is giving people lots of time to turn to Him. But the end will come. We should be in no doubt about this and be prepared.

Paul writes to the Galatians about how the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian the very character of Christ (and so the character of God). He calls this ‘’the fruit of the Spirit’’. Someone referred to it as a ‘nine-flavoured fruit’, and we see that ‘’patience’’ is one of the ‘flavours’ (Galatians 5:22). I understand the Greek word used can be translated ‘patience’ or ‘longsuffering’. It means to suffer long with trying circumstances or people. Something of God’s own astounding patience can grow and develop in Christian people by the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord, how can I thank you enough for your long-suffering with me? Please cause your own patience towards others to grow in me, for your glory.