The Book of Nehemiah

Word Study

"the holy city," Hebrew ir ha-qodesh (עִיר הַקֹּדֶשׁ), the city of holiness, set apart to God. The wall enclosed a city that was still underpopulated (chapter 7:4), so a plan was made to bring more inhabitants into Jerusalem. "The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem" (the leaders set the example by living there), and "the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city." Note the significance of living in Jerusalem: it was "the holy city," the place of the temple, God's chosen dwelling. But it was also the more exposed, demanding place, at the center of the nation, the target of enemies, requiring the sacrifice of leaving one's ancestral farm and home in the surrounding towns. To dwell in the holy city was both a privilege and a cost. The city set apart to God was to be filled with God's people, that it might be not merely a fortified space but a living, worshipping community at the heart of the land.

"cast lots," hippilu goraloth (הִפִּילוּ גוֹרָלוֹת), threw lots to decide. A tenth of the population was to relocate into the city. The lot was used to decide fairly and to acknowledge God's hand in the choosing, "the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33). So by God's providence, a tenth were chosen to fill the holy city, and the leaders led the way.

Explanation

Jerusalem, though walled, was still thinly populated, so a plan was made to bring a tenth of the people to live in it. The leaders set the example by dwelling there, and lots were cast to select one in ten of the rest to relocate into "the holy city." Living in Jerusalem was a privilege, it was the place of God's temple, but also a cost: it meant leaving one's farm and home in the safer surrounding towns for the more exposed and demanding center of the nation. The lot acknowledged God's hand in the choosing. The city set apart to God was to be filled with His people.

Gospel Focus

The bringing of people to dwell in "Jerusalem the holy city" points beyond itself to the city of God and the calling of His people. Jerusalem, set apart to God, filled with His people around His temple, is a picture of the church and of the heavenly city. Believers are "come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22), and look for "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). And as living in the earthly holy city meant both privilege and cost, so belonging to the city of God is both the highest honor and a call to sacrifice, to leave the ease of the world for a more exposed and demanding life at the center of God's purposes. Note too that "the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem": the leaders led by example, taking up the harder, holier place first. Godly leadership does not send others where it will not go itself. And the lot reminds us that God orders the placing of His people, "the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33). Wherever God has placed you, whether in a demanding or a quiet place, it is His appointment for the building of His city. The holy city must be filled with holy people; the church is filled as God calls His people to leave lesser things and dwell at the center of His purposes, looking finally for the heavenly Jerusalem in Christ.

Word Study

"willingly offered themselves," Hebrew ha-mithnaddevim (הַמִּתְנַדְּבִים) from nadav, to volunteer freely, the same root as the freewill offering. Beyond those chosen by lot, some "willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem", they volunteered, of their own free will, for the harder, more exposed, more sacrificial place. The word for their willingness, nadav, is the language of the freewill offering; they offered themselves to God's city as a voluntary gift, not merely because the lot fell on them, but because they were glad to do it. It is one thing to serve because you must; it is another, and better, thing to offer yourself freely, gladly, to the harder place. The health of God's city depended not only on those assigned by lot but on those who volunteered from willing hearts. And such willing offering is always precious in God's sight.

"blessed," va-yevarakhu (וַיְבָרֲכוּ), praised, spoke well of. And "the people blessed all the men" who did so. These willing volunteers were honored and praised by the whole community. To leave one's farm and settle in the demanding center of the nation was a real sacrifice, and those who embraced it freely were recognized as worthy of blessing. This is a beautiful principle: God, and God's people, honor willing self-sacrifice for the sake of His city and work. Those who "willingly offered themselves" were the heroes of this quiet chapter, and they were blessed for it.

Explanation

In addition to those chosen by lot, some people volunteered of their own free will to live in Jerusalem, embracing the harder, more sacrificial place, and the whole community "blessed" and honored them for it. The word for their willingness is the language of a freewill offering: they offered themselves to God's city as a glad, voluntary gift. God and His people honor those who willingly sacrifice for His work. It is better to offer oneself freely to the demanding place than merely to serve because one must. Willing self-sacrifice is precious and worthy of blessing.

Gospel Focus

"The people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem", God honors willing self-sacrifice for His city and work. The word "willingly offered themselves" is the language of the freewill offering; these people gave themselves gladly to the harder place. This is the spirit God delights in: "thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power" (Psalm 110:3); "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7); "if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted" (2 Corinthians 8:12). The highest offering we can bring is not merely our resources but ourselves, freely given, "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). And this willing self-offering is the pattern of Christ Himself, who was not compelled but gave Himself freely: "I lay down my life... No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself" (John 10:17-18); "who gave himself for us" (Titus 2:14). Because He willingly offered Himself for us, we, in gratitude, willingly offer ourselves to Him and to His city and work. Do not serve God grudgingly or only when the "lot" forces you; offer yourself freely, gladly, for the harder, holier place, and know that such willing sacrifice is blessed by God's people and precious to God, who Himself willingly gave His all for us in Christ.