How to Have a Joyful City Nehemiah

“The joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” Neh. 12:43
This chapter is about making the city of Jerusalem a place of joy and strength. As the city goes, so goes the nation. JFK said, “We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect our nation.” The nation of Israel could never be strong as long as Jerusalem was weak. Jerusalem could not be strong if the people were not willing to make sacrifices to make it strong. They had already made many sacrifices to rebuild the walls, but now they needed to inhabit the city to provide it with real strength. We cannot think that we can simply throw money at a problem and it will instantly be cured. We must make sacrifices to really solve problems.
How can we have a joy in the city that is genuine and real?
1. Willingly Offer Yourself to Live in the City, (Neh. 11)
Someone had to take the risk to live in the city. A strong city would make a strong nation. A weak city would lead to a weak nation. The city needs strong people to protect the city. Wiersbe says, “It may have been safer for the people to live in the small outlying villages that were no threat to the Gentile society, but somebody had to take the risk and move into the big city.”
We all know the names of George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, but we do not know the names of all the men and women who sacrificed and gave so that we could have freedom in this great land.
We all know the names of Peter, James, John, Paul, Moses, and Elijah. But how about Onesiphorus, Ephaphras, Othniel, Ehud, Epaphroditus, Amos, Habakkuk, and Onesimus. Here in Nehemiah 11 are the unknown willing workers:
One out of ten people were asked to make the sacrifice to live in the city. Others willingly moved into the city (Neh.11:1,2). ? The children of Judah, v.4-6 ? The children of Benjamin, v.7- These two tribes were the main tribes of the southern kingdom. What kind of people does the city need?
a. Strong men, Neh.11:6, 14. The same word “valiant” is used to describe the men of Judah and some of the priests in v.14. The word valiant means courageous, brave and strong. The Psalmist said, “Through God we shall do valiantly; and the “right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” (Ps.60:12; 118:15,16). David is called a mighty valiant man (1 Sam.16:18). It is also used to describe Boaz in Ruth 2:1, who was a mighty man of valour, but also a man of wealth. The word is used to describe Gideon (Judges 6:12) and Jephthah (Judges 11:1). Naaman was a mighty man of valour (2 Kings 5:1). Valiant describes someone willing to sacrifice and risk their life, a man of war, strength, and courage.
b. Spiritual men, Neh.11:10-16. Here is listed the priests who would do the work of the house of God, officiating inside the temple. Then is listed the Levites, who would so the “outward business of the house of God.” They supervised the maintenance of the building. Other Levites initiated the “thanksgiving in prayer.” The city needs people to do the work of God! Then there were those who would protect the gates and the city, Neh.11:19. The work of God needs different kinds of workers who would serve in the area of their gifts and calling. The city needs people who would work inside, outside, do the quiet work of prayer, and do the work of protection!
c. Singing men, Neh.11:22. Yes, the city needs those who would sing God’s praise.
The work of God is a great work and requires everyone doing their job. The ushers need to do their job, the Sunday School teachers, the tape ministry, the secretary, the musicians.
Let’s quickly review the pillars of ministry: Romans 12:3-8:
a. Every believer is a minister.
b. Every believer has a spiritual gift.
c. Every ministry is important
d. We are dependent upon each other.
2. Willingly Offer Great Sacrifices in the City
Nehemiah 12 is about the dedication of the city. Before they dedicate the walls, they dedicated themselves. It is no use dedicating brick and mortar if we have not first dedicated our hearts and souls to God.
a. Offer the sacrifice of PRAISE! Singing is mentioned six times in this chapter and thanksgiving is mentioned six times, rejoicing seven times. We can all praise God. Women and children, men and boys. Praise and thanksgiving to God is not for those who have taken voice lessons alone!
b. Offer the sacrifice of BLOOD! No doubt they offered animal sacrifices which foreshadowed the one, all sufficient sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.