Nehemiah returned to serve King Artaxerxes as he had promised; however, after a time, he obtained “leave of the king” (Nehemiah 13:6). Despite their having the wall and all having covenanted to God that they would follow Him; when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he found corruption, evil, and disobedience. How did he deal with the corruption and evil? It certainly was not by being tolerant or merciful. He faced the corruption and evil head on. There were four major areas of corruption that he dealt with in this manner: political corruption, financial corruption, societal corruption and domestic corruption.
Why an Enormous Joyous Celebration to Dedicate the Wall?
Now came the moment to dedicate the wall. What an enormous joyous celebration was planned and carried out! The exiled captives were restored to their land. Furthermore, their faith and dedication to God was restored. Order established in their land through just laws, tax reform, and immigration reform. Law officers and the military reestablished to guard and protect their citizens. The temple (church) once more held a place of honor, the choir of singers with their orchestra haled the worship. Once more they could stand proud as a nation, unashamedly; because, God was on their side. The corruption within their government had been abolished and they could trust the leadership; because, of their covenant with God. All symbolized in the wall that God had commanded Nehemiah to build.
Since the time of David, there had not been a joyous celebration of this magnitude. Their love for God and praise for all He had down could be heard throughout the lands. “Also, that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (Nehemiah 12:43).
JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF SONGS
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What About the Unknown Servants of God and Nation?
Within the nation, as also the church, there are many unknown servants. They are the janitors, the secretaries, the people who park cars, the police, and those without whom no nation, business or church can survive. Yet, their names are seldom remembered. They serve in menial positions for minimal compensation. Furthermore, they often sacrifice more than God’s servants who rise to fame; but, they do not seek fame. They willingly perform their tasks with diligence, laying their hearts and even their lives on the line for us. Unknown servants of God are certainly not unknown to Him.
The wall was built, civil laws re-established including immigration reform, taxes, and tithes within Jerusalem. Now, Nehemiah had the people cast lots to determine who would reside in Jerusalem and who would go to the surrounding villages. Those going to the surrounding villages would be able to farm the land, have livestock, and live a life without the stress of the city. However, those who drew the “short-straw” would remain in the city. They would be tasked with being guards, cleaning the streets, maintaining the temple and the city. Laborers for the good of the people, who would most likely live lives without the abundance that those in the villages.
Nehemiah 11:1-2
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Why Tithes, Taxes and Immigration Reform are Important?
The wall completed. Law and order restored to protect the people through establishing guards to police and guard the walls. Border Security arranged. A covenant to God signed and sealed. Now, for the government to work; they needed an immigration policy, taxes and tithes. Because of revival, all the people, now, in agreement to follow God’s laws. Of note, in Nehemiah 10, taxes were decreased; while tithes remained at 10%. The people were poor, because, of their recent exile. There had been greed and abuse among the leaders of the nation, which Nehemiah dealt with. Remember earlier, a revolt had broken out due to this? That was covered in, “How did Nehemiah deal with greed and abuse?” Now, there would be tax reform as well. The leaders had all signed the covenant to serve God.
“And the rest of the people…all who separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God…joined their leaders and bound themselves with an oath. They swore a curse on themselves if they failed to obey the Law of God as issued by His servant Moses. They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the Lord our Lord” (Nehemiah 10:28-29 TLB).
A CONFIRMED IMMIGRATION POLICY
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Why are Ceremony and History Really Important?
During the reading of the law, they came to a passage in the scripture referring to an important ceremony called the feast of the tabernacles. This feast was one of remembrance of their history as a nation. It began on the 15th day of the seventh month to last for seven full days. During those seven days, they were to live in booths, to praise God for the harvest. This ceremony had been neglected by the children of Israel. Remarkably, they read this portion of the law on the 2nd day of the seventh month.
Suddenly, they stopped everything to gather the all the fruits of the land and to build the booths, to reestablish this ceremony, to remember their history, and to praise God for keeping His covenant throughout the years, regardless of their having so often failed as a nation before God. It was a reminder that God “made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when (He) brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:43). A reminder that God, “I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 23:43).
Note: God remains in control of every detail of our lives. It was no coincidence that they reached this passage just in time to prepare for the feast of the tabernacle; because, God knew the importance of His people to remember history and to have ceremonies to help them recall all He had done.
The Ceremony, a Celebration of History
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