Dave Burnette's Commentary

Nehemiah Chapter 11

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Nehemiah
Date Penned: (445-432 BC)
Overview:  The Return of the 3rd Group of Jewish Exiles (c 1-13)
Theme: Reforming the People (c 8-13)
Message: Nehemiah Establishes Policies (1-36)

Nehemiah 11 Commentary 

(11:1) The People Occupied the Restored City - A tenth of the people from the outlying areas to move inside the city walls to keep large areas of the city from being vacant. Apparently these people did not want to move away from their towns into the city. Some people volunteered, and Nehemiah cast lots to determine who among the remaining people would have to move 


(11:1-36) A New Start  - Many of them may not have wanted to live in the city because (1) non-Jews attached a stigma to Jerusalem residents, often excluding them from trade because of their religious beliefs; (2) moving into the city meant rebuilding their homes and reestablishing their businesses, a major investment of time and money; and (3) living in Jerusalem required stricter obedience to God's Word because of greater social pressure and proximity to the temple.

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

The Blessings of the Church

 Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Nehemiah with Chapter 11 and we see Nehemiah establishing policies as the people occupy the restored city. What catches my eye is the amount of people who did not want to move back into the city because of commitment and responsibility required to be part of the community. In making application we see a picture of the Church today. Many who claim salvation refuse to get involved in the Church being a working part of the body. Their lack of commitment and responsibility weakens the body and it leaves them on the outside of the benefits of the community which protects them from the enemy. How about you? Are you saved? Are you an active member of the Church? Let us learn from our text today and the example of the nation of Israel to be part of the Body and Community to both give to and receive from the blessings of the Church.

 

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Nehemiah 11

Nehemiah 11

 1And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

 2And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

 3Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.

 4And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;

 5And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

 6All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

 7And these 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 Jesaiah.

 8And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

 9And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah 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, was the ruler of the house of God.

 12And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah.

 13And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,

 14And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.

 15Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

 16And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.

 17And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

 18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

 19Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.

 20And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.

 21But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.

 22The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

 23For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

 24And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.

 25And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,

 26And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,

 27And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof,

 28And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,

 29And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,

 30Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

 31The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages.

 32And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

 33Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

 34Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

 35Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

 36And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.