Nehemiah 7-8 Getting Ready
Now that the wall is finished and the gates hung, it’s time to deal with the people’s hearts. Nehemiah is getting ready for the big day.
Jerusalem is secure again, but she has a long way to go before she is the city she once was. The greatest hurdle is bringing the people’s hearts back in line with God’s words. They haven’t heard or followed it for too long. Nehemiah intends to fix this.
Nehemiah has to ‘prepare the stage’ for the people to hear the word of the Lord. He has a list of things to do before the big day! Let’s rejoin him as he prepares the scene, the people, and the place for God to speak to His people. Let’s see what the Spirit prepares for our focus today.
♥ ♦ ♥
The final gates are hung! The physical hard work is finished. Now it’s time to address the spiritual work. Some of it will be harder than anything they have done before.
Nehemiah starts the next work in Jerusalem by compiling a list. He likes lists, as they order his thinking and help him make use of the time he has left in Judah. He can’t stay, as the king has only allowed him to go long enough to complete the work he came to do. He will keep his word and return; as soon as he finishes setting things in order.
First on this list is to ensure that God’s house is in order. Many of the priests and Levites had labored on a large section of the wall. Now they need to return to their normal duties; those appointed by God and later by David. Nehemiah doesn’t so much as attend to this task, as it is the priest’s job, but he ensures that the priests have all they need to complete this task.
Nehemiah and the high priest walk the courtyard of the Temple, discussing what comes next.
“Have you appointed the singers, the Levites, and the gatekeepers yet” asks Nehemiah.
“I have been working on that since the wall was completed. Everyone should be in their respective places in a day or so.”
“Good. Is there anything you need from me to complete your task?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“If you think of anything, just let me know. I will make certain that you receive it.”
“That is most thoughtful of you. It has been a pleasure having your leadership during this long process. Thank you for remaining with us through it all.”
“The Lord called me to this work, and I dare not disappoint Him.”
“Agreed! He does have a way of getting our attention when we go off track.”
“That He does!”
Nehemiah and the high priest go their separate ways, but Nehemiah turns, and catches up with the high priest.
“Is there something else that you needed” asks the high priest.
“There is. I would like for Ezra, the scribe, to read the Torah to all the people on the first day of the month.”
“I will make arrangements for that to happen.”
“I’m certain that there will also be a need for the Levites to interpret what they hear so that the people may truly understand the Lord’s words.”
“That is a very wise idea. I will have several highly versed Levites who would be well suited to this task. I will have Ezra go over the Law with them, as he is our most skilled in understanding God’s Law.”
“Excellent. I will see you on the morning of the reading, unless you need me earlier.”
“Go with God.”
Nehemiah moves on to the second thing on his list. That is to appoint a successor. Nehemiah calls his brother, Hanani, and Hananiah, who is governor over the castle, to himself. They meet in the house that Nehemiah occupied during the whole time he spent in Judah. When all are present, Nehemiah begins.
“I am giving you both charge over the city of Jerusalem after I am gone. I know that you are God fearing men and will follow His statutes.”
Both men bow their heads in recognition of this honor and accept the mantle of responsibility.
“The city is far from being what it once was. The houses are far and few and the people do not actually ‘live’ in this city. Because of that, you must ensure the safety of those who are within its gates. ‘Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes’ (Nehemiah 7:3).
“This is wise advice my brother. It will be done.”
“There are many details still to be addressed so that one group does not bear all the burden of ensuring the safety of the people. We will address all of these issues before my departure. I need to assess those available to help you in your tasks.”
“How will you do this?”
“By going through the genealogy records. They need to be updated and assessed for accuracy.”
“I know where the records from the time of Zerubbabel’s return are kept” offers Hanani.
“That is the perfect place to start. Please take me to them.”
The three men set off for the Temple. There is an anterior chamber where the records are kept. Nehemiah settles in to begin reading. The other two men stand, waiting on any request Nehemiah might have.
As Nehemiah opens the first scroll, he looks up at the two men waiting patiently. “If you have other tasks to do today, you are free to go about them. This is going to take me a while. There is no reason for you to stand watch while I read.”
“Are you certain?”
“I am. I will be fine on my own. I have all that I need before me.”
The two men are grateful to have something to do besides stand and wait. They say their farewell and quickly leave. Nehemiah begins reading. He is ready to dig into the third task on his list.
The list of returnees is long and complex. It is also complete; for the time it was written. Nehemiah will assemble the priests, nobles, and the people to fill in those that have arrived since the time of Zerubbabel and record those that have been born since that time. It has been more than a hundred years since this genealogy was updated. Surely, there are records since then, but they are not kept together. It is time to address that.
Preparations for a place for Ezra to read the Law from is next. Nehemiah goes to the carpenter shop. Because of the work on the wall, there was not much opportunity for this carpenter to practice his trade. He was a tremendous help on the wall, but his specialty is fine furniture. Nehemiah has no doubt that he can build a suitable platform for Ezra to address the people from.
“Shalom my friend” Nehemiah calls out in greeting.
“Shalom, Nehemiah. What brings you to my humble, and empty, shop?”
“I have a small building project that needs to be completed in two days.”
“What kind of project?”
“I need a platform for one of the priests to read the Law from. There should be enough room for a few to stand with him to ensure that the people understand what is being read to them.”
“I can do this. Where would you like it to be set up?”
“In the main square, before the water gate. That way there is plenty of room for everyone. We will need it first thing in the morning, so can it be ready the night before?”
“That doesn’t give me much time, but I believe I can have it ready in time.”
Nehemiah pays the carpenter for his labor and for the materials. It is the first paid work he has had in some time. It’s good to see business returning.
Nehemiah has one last item on his list. He needs to summon the people. He wants as many of the people in Judah to attend the reading of the Law as possible. Bringing everyone together for the reading of the Law will also give him the opportunity to address his third task; updating the genealogy record and assigning help for the new governors.
Nehemiah calls for a scribe and six of the best runners. They all assemble at the home he is staying in. He needs a place for the scribe to do his work, and this place has the supplies needed. When all is in readiness, Nehemiah begins.
“First of all, I need to dictate a letter to ALL the people of Judah. Once the message is ready, each of you will take it to every corner of the territory; two go north, two east, two south, and two west. Read it to individuals as well as in the cities. Do your best not to miss a single person.”
Heads nod all around. Nehemiah turns his attention to the scribe.
“For the letter: ‘To all the returnees from exile and those that have been born in the land since that date. You are to assemble in Jerusalem no later than the morning following the new moon. The Law of Moses will be brought out and read to the people. Our God is calling His people back to Himself. Attend and honor Him.’”
As soon as the scribe finishes writing, he blots the parchment and hands it to Nehemiah to inspect. Nehemiah quickly reads it and hands it back.
“This is good. We need six copies and one for the archives.”
The scribe nods and begins meticulously copying the message six times. His original will be put in the archives of the people. As soon as the ink is dry on the last copy, Nehemiah sends the runners on their way.
It takes all of their stamina and skill to reach all the people in such a short time, but the runners did it. As soon as the message is received, people start making their way to Jerusalem. Those who live closer spend the night in the square, for their own safety, and to get a good spot to stand. Those that arrive the morning of, have to wait for the gates to be opened. It feels strange, but comforting, to know that people cannot simply walk through the broken down walls or the empty gates any longer.
All is in readiness. The priests and Levites come out of the Temple and make their way to the new platform waiting for Ezra. Nehemiah stands to the side and motions for Ezra to come up to the platform.
There are Levites on both sides of Ezra who will perform two tasks. They will interpret what is written in a way that the people can understand it, and two of them will hold the rods that the scroll is on so that Ezra can read from it.
A hush falls over the crowd as Ezra unwraps the cord from the scroll.
(to be continued)
The preparation is finished. Everything and everyone are ready for what comes next. In ANY work of God, there is preparation. Very little happens in an instant. Even God took time to prepare the world for His crowning creation. If He can take time, so should we!
When we rush through the preparations, we leave ‘holes’ for things to fall through. It is important that we honor the Lord by taking the time needed to bring about a good result. It is not ours to ensure the final outcome in ANY work of God, but it is our responsibility to do what we can to have the people ready to hear from the Lord.
Father God, I’m surprised by where You brought me to today. I was expecting to get through all the celebrating and the rededication time. With my husband’s needs today, I was feeling stressed. But You refocused me. You helped me see THIS time as just as important as the ‘main event’.
I’m going through preparation steps in the work You have for me too. It’s hard waiting, but I know that each step is important to the end result. Thank You for ALL the patience You have given me along the way. I have truly changed from the woman I used to be in this area! Keep me growing and going Lord.
