Nehemiah 11:1 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes” · Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes” 2 | P a g e declared bankruptcy in the summer of 2013. The crime rate of the city has soared

Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes”

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We return again to the Book of Nehemiah to continue to watch the development and growth of

the re-built, re-populated city of Jerusalem. We’ve seen and taken notice of the process of

restoring Jerusalem after 100 + years of neglect and abandonment. The first thing the Jews

devoted themselves to was rebuilding the Temple – that was described in the Book of Ezra.

Secondly, they focused on the walls of the city – we saw that in the early chapters of the Book

of Nehemiah. Finally, with those things in place, they began to focus on the houses and

buildings within those walls.

You may recall we read back in chapter 7,

The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been

rebuilt.

Nehemiah 7:4

As a wise leader, Nehemiah realizes that the next step is going to have to be to get the homes

and buildings rebuilt so that the people can move into the city and fill it with the activity of life

once again.

Now that we come to chapter 11, we fast forward through the story and the buildings are

rebuilt; the homes are in place; the streets are paved (not really) and the shrubbery is planted

(again, not really). All we need now is people. The decision to live in Jerusalem would not have

been an easy one for people to make. It would have been a sacrifice to live within the city at

this time. Many of the amenities of life were not yet in place in this formerly abandoned city.

I kidded that the roads were paved and the shrubs were planted – actually that is pretty

unlikely. Those things would get done, but they were not done yet. To make a comparison with

our day, the walls and the roof of the homes were up, but they did not yet have running water

or electricity. Those things will come – just be patient. Sure we have bathrooms. They are

down the street and around the block. Sounds lovely.

Another good comparison might be if you were offered the opportunity to help repopulate,

restore and rebuild the city of Detroit. For decades now, thousands upon thousands of people

have been fleeing the Motor City for the suburbs of Michigan or for new states all together. In

its’ hey day, Detroit was home to nearly 1.9 million people. Today that number sits around

650,000 - a number which has been dropping every year for nearly five decades. The city itself


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declared bankruptcy in the summer of 2013. The crime rate of the city has soared to almost

five times the national average in every category of violent crime (murder, rape, armed

robbery, theft, burglary, etc) for the past 15 years. The schools are considered among the

worst performing schools in the nation. Not a very rosy picture. Now, imagine someone

coming to you and offering you ‘the opportunity’ to come and live in Detroit and be a part of

the ‘renaissance’. Your mind might tell you that this is a good idea and necessary for the

restoration of the city - that, all the city really needs is some honest, hardworking men and

women. Your head might say that, but your heart is saying, “Are you nuts? I ain’t moving

there.”

In some ways, that is the condition of things in Jerusalem. Things aren’t that bad as it pertains

to crime etc, but as far as its level of development, this rebuilt Jerusalem is far from finished.

It’s not yet the thriving city it once was. People that move there are going to have to make

some real sacrifices and put up with some (hopefully) temporary inconveniences as things

come on line.

Hopefully you recall from our study last week that Chapter 10 was a chapter of dedication in

which the people pledged themselves to do whatever it was that God called them to do.

The rest of the people… joined with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and

an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe

and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and His rules and His statutes.

Nehemiah 10:29

Chapter 11 is about the rubber meeting the road. God, I’ll do whatever you want? OK, I want

you to go and live in Jerusalem. To follow the Lord and His leading will likely require you to step

out of your place of comfort and endure difficulties for the sake of the kingdom of God. David

endured hardship that he might continue to honor the LORD and touch not the Lord’s anointed.

Moses chose to endure affliction and suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the

passing pleasures of sin for a season. Esther declared if I die I die and went in to the presence of

the king on behalf of the Jewish people. More often than not, the answer to our prayer for

personal or spiritual revival is going to mean having to leave our place of comfort and go places

we never thought we would go and do things we would never chose to do.


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That brings us to our story today. Let’s pick up our story in Nehemiah chapter 11. Beginning in

verse 1, we read,

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. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in

Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1-2

It wouldn’t be easy to live in Jerusalem which is why it is so important to see the first verse of

the chapter.




Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1-2

Leaders need to set the example. Leaders can’t just say, This is what needs to be done. They

must show what needs to be done. These leaders had no right to expect the people to live in

Jerusalem if they themselves were not living there. And to their credit, they lead well by

sacrificing their own wants, needs, desires, etc and going to live in the city.

In addition to the leaders, a lottery system is put in place to select 10% of the population to

come and live in the city as well.




Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1-2

The people had tithed their produce and possessions in the previous chapter, now the LORD is

asking them to tithe their lives as well. The population essentially submits itself to the lot. OK,


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Lord, all of us are willing to go if that is what you desire. Show us your will. And then the straws

were drawn leading to ten percent relocating into the city and the remaining people returning

to their homes in the surrounding villages.

Verse 2 provides us with one final additional group that populates the city. We’ve seen the

leaders and those chosen by lot. This final group is comprised of those that willingly offered to

live in Jerusalem.




Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1-2

It is interesting to note that the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in

Jerusalem.




Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:1-2

The idea of blessing the men is congratulating them; cheering them on; honoring them for their

decision. My question is: If they are so excited for the people making this decision, why don’t

they make the decision themselves? The opportunity for them to volunteer was just as

available to them as it was to these other men. It was there for them as well, but they chose

not to take it. Instead they merely cheer on those that do.

Commenting on this, G. Campbell Morgan wrote,

It really is an easy thing, for those who do not volunteer, to applaud those that do.

Applause of heroism is neither costly nor valuable.

G. Campbell Morgan


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The 90% were not required to participate in the work, (ie move into the city), but the blessing

(God’s blessing, not just man’s congratulations) that was reserved for those that did would then

be missed in their lives. There is great blessing in serving the Lord. Sadly, many times we miss

it because we are not actually doing it – rather we are content to cheer on those that do.

Maybe it’s time for you to get off the sidelines and actually get in the game. Those are sobering

words, but important to hear. The place of blessing is in the doing.

I’m reminded of one other thing as I look at these folks volunteering to live in Jerusalem. You

remember that all of these folks that were back in the land were part of the few that chose to

return to Israel. (Do you remember that we said that only about 2% of the people returned

when granted permission by kings Cyrus and Darius?). As I said before, these are the cream of

the crop. These are those that decided to leave the comforts of Persia and come to the land of

Israel because God had called them. Here the Lord is calling them again. The Lord in His love

will keep calling your life to be stretched – that’s how spiritual muscles are built.

The walk with Jesus is not a one-time decision, but rather a daily decision - a daily decision to go

deeper and deeper and deeper with Him. That’s the process of being conformed into the

image of Christ. How easy it would have been for many of these folks to say, I’ve already made

great sacrifices. I’ve already made life changing decisions. Let somebody else step out in faith.

And again, that’s fine. These are still children of God. But the place of blessing is in continually

responding. Maybe you have been a follower of Christ for some time. Let me ask you: Are

you still responding to God’s call to step out in faith? Or, are you instead saying, Let someone

else do it? Keep saying yes. That’s the place of blessing.


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Beginning now in verse 3, we have the names of those that do say yes. As we have seen with

other lists in the Books of Nehemiah and Ezra, they are divided into various categories. The first

group are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem

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.

Nehemiah 11:3

Among them are, as it says in verse 4, certain sons of Judah and Benjamin

And in Jerusalem lived certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin.

Nehemiah 11:4a

The tribes of Judah and Benjamin made up the inhabitants of the southern half of the land of

Israel. Jerusalem is a city within the area of the southern half of Israel. It is the largest city

within the area reserved for the tribe of Judah. Of the sons of Judah you have Athaiah the son

of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah……. (I’ll let you read through the rest).

Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son

of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the sons of Perez; 5and Maaseiah the son of

Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of

Zechariah, son of the Shilonite.

Nehemiah 11:4b-5

Notice verse 6,

All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.

Nehemiah 11:6

Perez was a descendent of the tribe of Judah. In addition, he was the great, great, great, great,

great, great, great, grandfather of King David. (7 greats). So then, of the sons of Judah 468

heed the Lord’s call and make their way to live in Jerusalem.


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All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.

Nehemiah 11:6

As we saw, in addition to the sons of Judah, were the sons of Benjamin. They are listed in verse

7 and following.

And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of

Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, and his brothers,

men of valor, 928. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of

Hassenuah was second over the city.

Nehemiah 11:7-9

There are 928 of these men of valor.

And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of

Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, and his brothers,

men of valor, 928. Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of

Hassenuah was second over the city.

Nehemiah 11:7-9

Did you notice that? The sons of Benjamin are called men of valor. The sons of Judah were

referred to as valiant men. It takes courage to walk with the Lord and to go where he tells you

to go. But again, that’s the place of blessing.

Continuing in verse 10,

Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Kilkiah, son of

Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, and

their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of

Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashur, som of Malchijah, and his brothers,

heads of fathers’ houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of

Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer

was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.


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Nehemiah 11:10-14

The priests were of the tribe of Levi and of this tribe 1,192 go and live in Jerusalem. (822 +242

+128).

Notice also, these folks are also called mighty men of valor.

Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Kilkiah, son of

Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, and

their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of

Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashur, som of Malchijah, and his brothers,

heads of fathers’ houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of

Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer

was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.

Nehemiah 11:10-14

In addition to the priests, were those Levites that were non-priests. (Remember to be a priest

you had to be of the tribe of Levi and a descendent of Aaron). Of these non-priests you have,

Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni. (I’ll let you read

the rest).

And the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of

Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the

outside work of the house of God; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of

Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second

among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. All the

Levites in the holy city were 284.

Nehemiah 11:15-18

The total number of this group of people is listed in verse 18 – 284.

And the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of

Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the

outside work of the house of God; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of


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Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second

among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. All the

Levites in the holy city were 284.

Nehemiah 11:15-18

The next group is also of the tribe of Levi. Specifically these are the Levites with the job of

keeping the gates of the city/temple. We read of them and their number in verse 19.

The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were

172.

Nehemiah 11:19

Continuing in verse 20,

And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah,

everyone in his inheritance. But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa

were over the temple servants.

Nehemiah 11:20-21

Notice, the temple servants live on Ophel.

And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah,

everyone in his inheritance. But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa

were over the temple servants.

Nehemiah 11:20-21

Ophel was/is a ridge of hills in Jerusalem that was fortified for defense of the southeastern

corner of the city. Ophel lies between the temple mount area and the city of David along the

eastern wall of the city.

Beginning in verse 21, we begin to have the names of the various people that served in

overseeing roles there in the city of Jerusalem. Verse 21 listed the names of the two men

leading the temple servants.


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But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple

servants.

Nehemiah 11:21

Uzzi is listed as the overseer of the Levites in verse 22. (I suspect Uzzi is not a guy you want to

mess with).

The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of

Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of

God. 23 For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision

for the singers, as every day required.

Nehemiah 11:22-23

Verse 24 lists Pethahiah as being at the king’s side in all matters. That is, he is the king’s

advisor.

And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the

king’s side in all matters concerning the people.

Nehemiah 11:24

At the king’s side is kind of a weird statement, because the Jews do not have a king of their

own and the king they do have (the King of Persia) wouldn’t have been in Israel. The issue is

resolved in that the phrase translated at the king’s side is one that can simply be translated

deputy. Pethahiah is simply a person appointed by the king (Darius II ??) in matters

concerning the people.

Verse 25,

And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba

and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, and in

Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet, in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its villages, in

Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam,


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and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its villages. So they encamped

from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba

onward, at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor,

Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And

certain divisions of the Levites in Judah were assigned to Benjamin.

Nehemiah 11:25-36

We have a map to give you an idea of the location of many of the villages on the outskirts and

beyond of the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is starred in the middle with the as many of the

surrounding villages marked as I could find.


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Let’s continue on into chapter 12. Before we read the opening verses of chapter 12, I’ll remind

you that Nehemiah, Ezra and some of these other names that we have been consdering lived

approximately around the time period of 430 BC. Their predecessors before them, were people

like Zerubbabel (the Governor) and Jeshua (the High Priest). These two men led the people way

back in the closing years of the 500’s BC. Remember, Nehemiah and Ezra are the key figures we

have been following in the Book of Nehemiah and in the closing chapters of the Book of Ezra.

Zerubbabel and Joshua were the key figures in the opening chapters of the Book of Ezra. Here

now in chapter 12, Nehemiah goes back 100 years and lists the names of those that served with

Zerubbabel the governor and Jeshua the high priest. Eighteen men are listed.


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These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,

and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Maluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum,

Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib,

Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.

Nehemiah 12:1-7

We then have a listing of the Levites – again still in the days of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. These

men are listed in verses 8 and 9.

And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his

brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. And Bakbukiah and Unni and their

brothers stood opposite them in the service.

Nehemiah 12:8-9

Verse 10 and 11 will list the succession of high priests from Jeshua (in the days of Zerubbabel)

to Jaddua (in the days of Alexander the Great (330’s BC). That means this portion was written

by someone other than Nehemiah who died in 413 BC.

And Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of

Joiada, Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.

Nehemiah 12:10-11

Continuing in verse 12, you have the second generation of religious leaders following Joshua

and Zerubbabel. Notice in verse 12 it begins in the days of Joiakim

And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers’ houses: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of

Jeremiah, Hananiah; of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; of Malluchi, Jonathan;

of Shebaniah, Joseph; of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; of Iddo, Zechariah; of

Ginnethon, Meshullam; of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; of Bilgah,

Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; of Sallai,

Kallai; of Amok, Eber; of Hilkaih, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

Nehemiah 12:12-21


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Joiakim, as we saw (verse 10), was the son of Jeshua



Nehemiah 12:10-11

In his day, the following people led as the priests (20 names). They are:

Meraiah; Hananiah; Meshullam; Jehohanan; Jonathan; Joseph; Adna; Helkai; Zechariah;

Meshullam; Zichri; Piltai; Shammua; Jehonathan; Mattenai; Uzzi; Kallai; Eber; Hashabiah;

Nethanel.







Nehemiah 12:12-21

I know you look at this and it is just a long list of names. The way it works though is the first

name listed (of so and so) is the guy from Jeshua’s day and the second name is that person’s

son who served as a priest in Joiakim’s day. So it reads, of Seriah (in Jeshua’s day), Meraiah (in

Joiakim’s day)…….







And then it just continues that way through the long listing of names.


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Then we come (starting in verse 22) to an accelerated listing of the priests in the days of

Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan (he is listed as Jonathan in verse 11) and Jaddua.

In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as heads

of the fathers’ houses; so too were the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian.

Nehemiah 12:22

These are the same people that were quickly listed in verses 10 and 11.



Nehemiah 12:10-11

In their days (515 to about 330 BC) the means of designating the head of each household was

to list the name of the Levite or priest selected for that particular area.

In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as heads

of the fathers’ houses; so too were the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian.

Nehemiah 12:22

These men are then listed in verses 23-26.

As for the sons of Levi, their heads of fathers’ houses were written in the Book of the

Chronicles until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. And the chiefs of the Levites:

Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers who stood

opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the

man of God, watch by watch. Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and

Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates. These were in

the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua son of Jozadek, and in the days of Nehemiah the

governor and of Ezra, the priest and scribe.

Nehemiah 12:23-26


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Chapter 12 continues in verse 27 with the dedication of the city wall – an occasion which will be

marked with gladness and thanksgiving and choirs and various musical instruments. You’ll

notice, the occasion of this dedication continues into chapter 13. Look at 13:1,

On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people.

Nehemiah 13:1a

Since all of these events in the remainder of 12 and 13 take place on the same day, we will look

at them together the next time we gather together.

As we close this morning, let me do so by reminding you of a couple of things. Number one –

Jesus is continually calling you forward. We use the term a backslidden Christian, a term

designed to describe where I am with Jesus not in comparison to you, but in comparison to

where I had previously been with Him. If we are not moving forward, then we are slowly sliding

backward. Continual forward motion requires continued steps of obedience in which we

respond to His call to step out in faith.

The second point I would remind you of is the same courage that led these people to

voluntarily go and live in Jerusalem is the type of courage that will lead you to walk by faith.

For those folks to say ‘yes’ to Jerusalem, required that they give up some of their material

comforts. For those folks to say ‘yes’ to Jerusalem, required they re-arrange some of the social

priorities. Many of their friends were not going to Jerusalem. For those folks to say ‘yes’ to

Jerusalem, they would have to embrace that life in Jerusalem would bring with it problems and

hassles that life in the villages would not present to them.

One other area they were volunteering to embrace by becoming a resident of Jerusalem was

that they automatically became a target of the enemy the moment they submitted that change

of address form. Live out with a few other families in the villages and no one pays you any

mind. Move into the city of God and you immediately become a target.

Each of those challenges are challenges that any “all-in follower of Christ” is going to face as

well. To be all in and go where Jesus calls you to go will require the sacrifice of some material

blessings. It will require the re-arranging of some social priorities. It does mean you are setting

yourself up to be a target of the enemy. But, as we have been saying. This is the place of

blessing.


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To us, chapters 11 and 12 are just a long listing of names. But to the LORD, these are names of

great importance. These are those who willingly offered their lives in service to the LORD.

These are those that accepted loss in this world that they might be used in the service of God’s

kingdom. These are those that kept saying ‘yes’. May each of us be as they were.

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Nehemiah 11:1 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes” · Nehemiah 11:1 – 12:26 Keep Saying “Yes” 2 | P a g e declared bankruptcy in the summer of 2013. The crime rate of the city has soared