As I now get older I enjoy a good western. My Dad, would be proud of me, as I never really liked them when I was a kid. I like the stories of the Wild West and when the settlers began to settle down in a certain area. It took a different kind of man who would be willing to sacrifice the comforts he had grown used to as he now moved westward.
In a way that is what is now taking place in Nehemiah 11:1-12:26. Some of these people had come earlier during the time of Zerubbabel around 538 B.C. as recorded in Nehemiah 12:1. The majority who had returned earlier, were scattered abroad throughout the land. Now, Nehemiah has completed the walls of Jerusalem and a new group has come with him to the land. They would now go about the task of trying to repopulate the newly walled city of Jerusalem.
The city of Jerusalem if it was to continue on would need volunteers to live within its walls. This became an important need in order for Israel to continue on as a country. They would need people who would be willing to leave their old homes and establish new ones in the city. The question on how to do this would be answered in the next few verses and the following chapter.
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 ( ESV )
1Now 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.
The leaders of the people needed to establish a capital city for their country. In verse one we see how that the leaders would live in Jerusalem to form a place for government and a center for their religious worship. This was an incredible act of faith on their part, and for the others who would live there. Remember, as we saw earlier, many that had help build the walls around Jerusalem had done so, without even having their own homes built. They had already sacrificed so much.
Do I have that kind of a heart? Am I willing to lay aside my own needs, comforts and desires to step out and minister at all cost? These men and women had a vision for the land of their Fathers and they were willing to risk it all.
One of the ways, that they went about in trying to get the people to live in Jerusalem was to use the casting of lots. This was still valid during this time in order to seek the Lord’s will. Proverbs 16:33 testifies to this fact. When they would cast the lots one out of every ten would stay in the city of Jerusalem to help get it back on its feet again.
Even more incredible to this story is that some men willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. This took an entirely different kind of mindset. These guys were willing to take on this hardship in order to see the God’s vision become real before their eyes. They wanted the cause of Israel to succeed at all cost. They were willing to give up comfort for the thing that they could not see as of yet. Like Abraham they were trusting God in this endeavor.
They came from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. They were made up of priests and Levites who would help them in their worship of God. Some would be gatekeepers and singers, yet all would serve a purpose for the Lord within the cities walls.
Still yet 90% of the people lived outside of the city of Jerusalem. They lived out in the fields and villages and other established areas. Now there is nothing wrong with those who lived in these other places. Not everyone was chosen by lot or was willing to stay in Jerusalem. God wanted to use these others to repopulate the rest of the land. They had a purpose and heart for the Lord just as much as those who were willing to rebuild Jerusalem.
When I read this passage I am always reminded of one of my old friends Rodney. Rodney and I spent a few weeks together when I was young in the ministry and I had the privilege of hearing him speak often. One of my favorite sermons of his was one that was called FRONTIER FAITH. It dealt with the calling of God on Paul’s life and the work that he had for Him to do.
Romans 15:20-21 ( ESV )
20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,
21but as it is written, £“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
Paul’s greatest desire was to share the gospel where Christ had never been preached. He wanted to share Jesus with people who had never been told about Him. What a joy to go among a group of people who have never heard the gospel shared or about Christ love for them. What a blast, to see my fellow brothers, see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, shine in the eyes of people who have never heard of Him.
Not all of us are called to a new frontier, but for those who are called to that kind of work, they will truly be blessed. Yet, I also believe, that even if we are not called to the mission field, we should go out to our next door neighbor who has never heard. We should try to strike up friendships and share our faith. It will take courage. It will take His strength. Yet, can you think of anything, that brings greater joy, than sharing the Gospel with someone?
Like the Israelites who stayed in Jerusalem it took courage, but it also took an intense amount of work on their part. The same will be true for us when we are willing to step out into a new frontier of sharing Christ with others. It’s time for us to build our missions just outside the gates of Hell.
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