Nehemiah

Nehemiah 11: Willing hearts for God's city

Begin in prayer

Before we hear who goes to live in the holy city, let us ask God to speak to our family. Please ask Him to give us willing hearts, and to show us Jesus, who gave Himself willingly.

Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. Selah.

Psalm 87:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You fill Your city with Your people, and help us to see Christ who gave Himself willingly. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jerusalem has a wall and gates, but most of the people still live in their own towns. The princes live in Jerusalem, and the rest cast lots, so that one out of every ten goes to live in the holy city. The people bless the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell there. The chapter lists who settles in Jerusalem, men of Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants. The singers have a settled provision from the king, so that thanksgiving can go on each day. The rest of Israel lives in the villages of Judah and Benjamin, each on his own inheritance.

As you read Nehemiah 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God fills His holy city with His people, and some give themselves to it willingly.

Chapter 7 left Jerusalem wide and large, with few people, and chapter 11 begins to fill it. The princes already live there, and the rest cast lots, so one family in ten goes to the holy city (verse 1). Proverbs says every decision of the lot comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16 verse 33). Some do not wait for the lot, and the people bless “all the men who willingly offered themselves” (verse 2). The long list shows what a city of God needs, which is priests, Levites, gatekeepers and singers (verses 10 to 23). Priests serve at God's house, Levites run its outward business, and gatekeepers watch the gates (verses 12, 16 and 19). The singers have a settled provision from the king, so that thanksgiving can go on each day (verse 23). Jesus said He lays down His life of His own accord (John 10 verse 18). His people look for a city whose builder is God (Hebrews 11 verse 10).

How does Nehemiah 11 show us that God fills His holy city with His people, and some give themselves to it willingly?

One family in ten moves to the holy city.

The princes already live in Jerusalem, and the rest cast lots (verse 1). Nine parts stay in the other cities. Casting lots left the choice to God (Proverbs 16 verse 33).

Some offer themselves willingly, and the people bless them.

The people bless “all the men who willingly offered themselves” (verse 2). They leave their own towns for a city that was still being filled. Willing hearts are a gift from God, who works in His people both to will and to do (Philippians 2 verse 13).

Priests, Levites, singers and gatekeepers each have work.

Priests serve at God's house, and Levites have charge of its outward business (verses 12 and 16). Mattaniah begins the thanksgiving in prayer, and the gatekeepers watch the gates (verses 17 and 19). The singers have a settled provision, so they can give thanks each day (verse 23). Every servant in God's city serves because Christ first came to serve (Mark 10 verse 45).

Memorise

The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I willing to give myself to Jesus, who gave Himself for sinners?

The people blessed “all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.” They gave up their homes for the holy city. Some gave willingly, and some came by lot, but not one of them could save himself or the city.

Only Jesus came willingly to give His life. He said no one takes it from Him, and He lays it down of His own accord. He died for His people on the cross, and He rose, taking up His life again. The price is paid, and nothing is left unpaid. He is preparing a place for those who trust Him.

So give yourself to Him. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He receives everyone who comes, and He will not cast that person out.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God fills His city with His people, and that Jesus gave His life willingly for sinners. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He gathers a people for Himself, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one offer themselves to God in a few words.

They will call them The holy people, Yahweh’s redeemed. You will be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

Isaiah 62:12

Lord, thank You that You gather a people for Your city. Thank You for Jesus, who gave Himself willingly. Please give each of us a willing heart to trust Him and to serve You this week. Amen.