Graduate 97: Advent, Day 20
Returning and Rebuilding
Nehemiah 1:1-2:8; 6:15-16; 13:10-12
The book of Nehemiah covers the period, roughly, from 457 to 432 B.C., after the Jews have been allowed to return to their homeland by a Persian decree; but the city is still in a state of disrepair and vulnerable to the hostile people-groups surrounding it. This book is about how God raised up a leader to guide his people in this time.
Nehemiah’s example is instructive. His immediate response to the news that Jerusalem is still broken and endangered is to go before God, in repentance and submission. Then, throughout his interview with King Artaxerxes, he calls on God and recognizes His work in his situation. (v. 4, 8) What is remarkable is that the king is so willing to grant Nehemiah’s requests; the restoration and reconstruction of Jerusalem is funded out of the king’s treasure. Supplies are drawn from the king’s resources and forests. And despite the opposition and threats and disruptions and schemes of the surrounding nation, they are able to finish the work of reconstructing the wall in fifty-two days. What can explain or account for the Jews’ remarkable good fortune? Nehemiah credits the Lord.
Not only does he credit God, but he also sets about reinstating the policies and instructions that God had given to his people. We see in the last reading that he sets in order the Levitical priesthood and sees to it that they are properly provided for. Of course, this is necessary if the people are to continue in obedience to God. Otherwise they will just fall away from God again as they have done before.
We also, need to be conscientious about ordering our lives in such a way that we do not wander away from God. It’s so easy to do if we do not deliberately put in place ways to keep God’s desire and will before our minds. Even with the advent of Christ, our human nature and the need for patterns and habits does not change. Spiritual disciplines and active engagement with Scripture and prayer and community are vital for sustaining power in the kingdom and a constant flow of grace from God.
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
Nehemiah 1:1-2:8; 6:15-16; 13:10-12
The book of Nehemiah covers the period, roughly, from 457 to 432 B.C., after the Jews have been allowed to return to their homeland by a Persian decree; but the city is still in a state of disrepair and vulnerable to the hostile people-groups surrounding it. This book is about how God raised up a leader to guide his people in this time.
Nehemiah’s example is instructive. His immediate response to the news that Jerusalem is still broken and endangered is to go before God, in repentance and submission. Then, throughout his interview with King Artaxerxes, he calls on God and recognizes His work in his situation. (v. 4, 8) What is remarkable is that the king is so willing to grant Nehemiah’s requests; the restoration and reconstruction of Jerusalem is funded out of the king’s treasure. Supplies are drawn from the king’s resources and forests. And despite the opposition and threats and disruptions and schemes of the surrounding nation, they are able to finish the work of reconstructing the wall in fifty-two days. What can explain or account for the Jews’ remarkable good fortune? Nehemiah credits the Lord.
Not only does he credit God, but he also sets about reinstating the policies and instructions that God had given to his people. We see in the last reading that he sets in order the Levitical priesthood and sees to it that they are properly provided for. Of course, this is necessary if the people are to continue in obedience to God. Otherwise they will just fall away from God again as they have done before.
We also, need to be conscientious about ordering our lives in such a way that we do not wander away from God. It’s so easy to do if we do not deliberately put in place ways to keep God’s desire and will before our minds. Even with the advent of Christ, our human nature and the need for patterns and habits does not change. Spiritual disciplines and active engagement with Scripture and prayer and community are vital for sustaining power in the kingdom and a constant flow of grace from God.
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
posted by Metaphysician_delta | 2:00 AM
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