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CHAPTER 11 (ESV)
1 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. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
3 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.
REFLECTION:
- The number of Israelites returning was much less than the population of Jerusalem during the period of the Kings. Because the rebuilding of the walls was based on the original foundation, the population within Jerusalem was scarce. Nehemiah migrated 1 out of 10 people from other cities to Jerusalem. However, those who migrated willingly were the minority. The majority did not want to live inside Jerusalem. Therefore, Nehemiah casted lots to decide who would migrate into Jerusalem. Many Israelites did not want to move into the city for the following reasons: (1) Gentiles rejected the Israelites and did not trade with them because of their faith; (2) if they moved into the city, their family and career would have to be rebuilt from scratch and this would take a long time and cost a lot of money; and (3) the social pressure was high living inside the city and closer to the temple as people had to obey God’s Laws more carefully.
- Reflect as God calls you to be His people and to serve Him, did you respond enthusiastically and thankfully and consecrate yourself? Today are you willing to come close to God despite difficulties and sacrifices?
PRAYER:
Ask God to give you a heart that thirsts for truth and willingness to take part in His work. Ask God to help you understand that His grace is not cheap, as it requires you to respond by paying a price that could even be a huge price. However, if you are willing to do that, your spiritual life will grow and you will experience God’s boundless abundance.
HYMN:
All I Have Is Christ – www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg_gl3IpEFw
