Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 36 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 36 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Nehemiah 11:1-3

1 Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. 3 These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his property in their towns: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants.

DAY 36 – SETTING IN

It is time for “move in” day!! Not everyone could live within the Holy City of Jerusalem, so a plan was made for who would “move in” and who would stay where they were.

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 11:1 The 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. 2 The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem. 3 Now 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, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.

The decisions for “move in” were decided by casting lots. This practice is mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and 7 times in the New Testament; yet in no place does it tell us exactly how it is done. We know it was used to make impartial decisions. It was sometimes thought God worked through the practice to bring about His will. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Proverbs 16:33). The closest practice today of casting lots is the flip of a coin.

The leaders for sure had moved into Jerusalem. After the covenant they had just made with God, it was important who moved into the Holy City. It needed to be those who would keep the covenant. One out of every ten was chosen to move into Jerusalem. It was not an easy task ahead for them. Their homes would need to be rebuilt and other work done.

But by verse 2, there were those that began volunteering to take the challenge and move into the Holy City. The scripture tells us they were commended or blessed for volunteering. It was not just a pat on the back. The “blessed” word comes from the word for “knee” suggesting the bending of a knee in the blessing. Also, the blessing did not come from the leaders. This blessing came from people…the Israelites…the ones who stayed in their home towns in Judea.

LIFE APPLICATION: Father, whom would you have me give a “blessing” to today? Whether or not I am on the ministerial staff, I am volunteering. Lead me to someone today! Amen

DAY 37 – DEDICATING OF THE WALL TO GOD

The wall is built; the covenant with God is made; people have moved in; and now is time to dedicate the wall to God…

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps. 28 The sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had built them villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

In these verses we find the preparation for the dedication… 1) Levites (temple workers) were brought to Jerusalem. 2) The Levites brought songs to sing and instruments to play. 3) Other singers were brought together from other villages around Jerusalem. 4) The priests and Levites purified themselves ceremonially. 5) The priests and Levites purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

It was set to be an amazing day. It demanded “a business of planning, proclaiming, assembling and rehearsing.” The Levites were brought in from surrounding areas to sing and play instruments, but there was a group of singers that lived in certain “singers” villages around Jerusalem. Only singers lived in these villages. I wonder what a day would be like there…beautiful music…all of the time!!! No need for radio, CD, DVD, or IPODS in those towns!

A very important part of the dedication was the preliminary purification of the structure and of the participants in the ceremony. Those who had been involved in secular affairs had to go through this purification…cleansing. Priests were always purified before a ceremony, and laypersons had to be purified before they could join in the ritual. This cleansing was accomplished by washing, bathing, fasting, or by sprinkling with holy water or the blood of the sacrifice.

LIFE APPLICATION: YouTube video by Don Moen, “Our Father, As We Worship You, Here We Are and Have Your Way.” (Or any other praise and worship music challenging your heart to a deeper walk with Jesus!) May you feel a cleansing through the blood of Jesus.

___________________________