A Man of Prudence

Less than ten months since Nehemiah heard of the conditions in Jerusalem, the monumental task was finished. The building and repairs, completed in the sixth calendar month, Elul, took only fifty-two days, despite significant opposition. This great accomplishment was a testament to God’s enabling. Nehemiah fulfilled a critical role, but God put it in his heart, 2. 12, and only God could be credited with its completion. Israel’s enemies and surrounding nations recognized it and were ‘much cast down in their own eyes’.

When the limitations of Egypt’s magicians were exposed, they recognized the ‘finger of God’, Exod. 8. 19; 2 Tim. 3. 8. Similarly, in the days of the early church, the Jewish council tried to resist the work associated with the name of Jesus. But after an angel released the apostles from prison, Gamaliel wisely advised, ‘if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it’, Acts 5. 38, 39. The Lord had said, ‘I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’, Matt. 16. 18.

What God begins, God completes - and to perfection. It was true of creation, also of our redemption. In virtue of Christ’s perfect work, all of God’s enemies will be subdued beneath His victorious feet, to the glory of God. Moreover, His work begun in us will be continued until its perfection - in ‘the day of Jesus Christ’, Phil. 1. 6. Jerusalem’s finished wall shows that great things can be accomplished in a brief time. ‘Is any thing too hard for the Lord?’ Gen. 18. 14; cp. Jer. 32. 27.

Hindrances, vv. 17-19

Communications. Nehemiah became aware that while the building and repairs had been ongoing, correspondence had been exchanged between the nobles of Judah, and Tobiah, one of their chief opponents. These were extensive -they sent him ‘many letters’ and his letters reached them unhindered. Were some of these the same nobles who ‘put not their necks to the work of their Lord’, the same nobles who lent money on interest to their brethren in hard times, 3. 5; 5. 7? Likely, their minds had been affected by Tobiah.¹

May our communications be found wholesome. This applies to verbal, written, and digital messages, including conversation, email, messenger apps, and social media. ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers’, Eph. 4. 29.

The communications we receive will also impact on our thinking and behaviour. The world boasts many influencers, and we must take care from whom we receive spiritual guidance. Paul’s teaching for Crete applies today - overseers should give no room for error to be taught to the assembly. Some of the Cretans had to be admonished for their lazy attitude and appetite for deceptive material, ‘rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith’. The inconsistent and immoral lives of these teachers were a giveaway, Titus 1. 10-16. With so much material easily accessible beyond the sphere of the local assembly, believers are each responsible for turning aside from that which could threaten the spiritual welfare of whole families.

Philippians chapter 4 verses 8 and 9 provide an excellent set of principles, ‘whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things’.

Commitments. The problem of God’s people’s connections with the outside world ran deep, and beyond the nobles, for ‘there were many in Judah sworn unto him’, Neh. 6. 18. How cleverly Tobiah had established his association. First, by marrying the daughter of Shechaniah, the son of Arah (named on the register of those that returned from captivity, 7. 10). Second, by the marriage of his son, Johanan to the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah (an industrious builder, having repaired part of the wall, and that near to his chamber, 3. 4, 30). Keil and Delitzsch suggest that ‘from this reason being given, we may conclude his affinity by marriage was confirmed by an oath’;² i.e., on the basis of.³ But both were forbidden by the Lord, ‘thou shalt make no covenant with them… neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son’, Deut. 7. 2, 3. Such connections had probably been exploited when Shemaiah was bribed in an attempt to deceive Nehemiah, 6. 10-14. Nehemiah was clear; as close as Tobiah’s association may have brought him, he had no pedigree among God’s people, ‘ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem’, 2. 20; See Deut. 23. 3.

These established avenues of communication and friendship were used by Tobiah to depict himself in the best light, whilst attempting to frighten Nehemiah. Those who were reporting Tobiah’s ‘good deeds’, and divulged Nehemiah’s words to him, were deluded by an appearance of piety that had no substance. It is of God’s grace that the rebuilding task had not been derailed through such compromises.

Paul expressed a concern that the Corinthians’ ‘minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ’ through the work of ‘false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ’, 2 Cor. 11. 3, 13.⁴ We are to recognize those who are genuine, who deliver sound doctrine and conduct a life that complements their preaching. They must be distinguished from others that have ‘a form of godliness, but [deny]… the power thereof’, from whom we are to ‘turn away’, 2 Tim. 3. 5.

The Jews’ pledged friendship with Tobiah reminds us to carefully choose our personal ties and friendships for ‘evil company corrupts good habits’, 1 Cor. 15. 33 NKJV. James’ warning is fitting, ‘friendship of the world is enmity with God’, Jas. 4. 4. Let us avoid commitments that are at odds with our heavenly citizenship. Believers should not be ‘unequally yoked together with unbelievers’, 2 Cor. 6. 14 - the two can have no fellowship with one another.

Helps, 7. 1-73

Although the wall was complete, there was no room for complacency and rest. Nehemiah prudently implemented further measures to secure Jerusalem and the people of God.

Ger de Koning helpfully comments, ‘The wall is finished, but the vigilance must not slacken. It is about “having done everything, to stand firm” (Eph 6. 13). When the greatest effort has been made, the greatest danger is that things will still go wrong’.⁵Care to maintain God’s testimony is a continual work.

Gatekeepers, 7. 1. Nehemiah assigned porters to operate and secure the doors. Singers were appointed to lead the congregation in praise and thanksgiving; the Levites’ duty was to assist the priests in their service.⁶

A centre of testimony preserved from worldliness is fitting for the ‘house of God, which is the church of the living God’, 1 Tim. 3. 15. When God’s praise is upon people’s hearts and lips, there is less room for anything of a corrupt nature. When saints’ hands are occupied in His work, there is less room for them to be defiled by sin.

So, may our lips and labours be employed in God’s praise and service. ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him’, Col. 3. 16, 17.

Governors, vv. 2, 3. Two men were selected to share overseership of the city of Jerusalem, both for their good character. Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, had first brought the people’s plight to Nehemiah’s ears, demonstrating his concern for God’s people. His report of the city’s condition was an accurate assessment, 1. 2, 3. Hananiah had experience as ‘the ruler of the palace’ and was known for his faithfulness and godly fear. They were to see that Jerusalem’s gates were opened, not at first light, but when the sun was hot - having enough strength to expose potential threats. They were also to ‘stand by’ as they were shut and barred at the end of the day.

‘Watches’, responsible as lookouts for Jerusalem, had to be occupants of the city, and were assigned to their own neighbourhood, ‘over against his house’.

Overseership in God’s assembly is a spiritual appointment for those with experience, of suitable character, and a willing mind. A family connection need not be a barrier, provided the required spiritual qualities are present. Peter called on overseers to fulfil their responsibility - ‘[take] the oversight thereof’, 1 Pet. 5. 2. However, their example is to be followed by each of God’s people, who are responsible for their own area of testimony.

Genealogies, vv. 4-73. To date, the wall and gates of Jerusalem had been the focus of the restoration work, in keeping with the burden given to him by the Lord, 2. 12 - but houses also needed to be built. Households, too, required integrity, lest the ungodly should be found occupying the city. The issue of Tobiah’s close but invalid connections highlighted the need for claims to an inheritance among God’s people to be examined. Again, Nehemiah was sensitive to his God-given burden, this time in connection with the people - ‘God put into mine heart to gather [them] together… that they might be reckoned by genealogy’.⁷ He showed no partiality, ensuring that ‘the nobles, and the rulers, and the people’ were all compared against the register of those that had first returned from Babylon. This comprised:⁸

• A sum of the people returning from captivity, vv. 8-38
• Priests, responsible for sacrifices, vv. 39-42
• Levites, who offered supporting service, v. 43
• Singers, to maintain the Lord’s song, v. 44
• Porters, to maintain the city’s security, v. 45
• Nethinims, assistants to the Levites in practical service, vv. 46-60⁹
• Those unable to show their lineage, vv. 61-65
• Congregation and gift summary, vv. 66-72
• Occupation of the cities, v. 73

To help ensure the integrity of the local assembly today, it is fundamental to confirm, in a prudent manner, that those it receives have their names written on God’s register, the Lamb’s book of life. Furthermore, families with spiritual virtue will contribute to its strength.

Ultimately, we must continually commit the assembly’s wellbeing to the Lord. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain’, Ps. 127. 1.