Family ties
Opening Prayer
Father, may my family serve You with one heart and with loyalty to You above all.
Read NEHEMIAH 6:15—7:3
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[15] So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. [16] When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. [17] Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. [18] For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. [19] Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me. [1] After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. [2] I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. [3] I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is set in place as soon as the walls were complete?The wall is completed in record time, but that is only the beginning. Now it has to be maintained and guarded. The surrounding nations have been subdued, but Nehemiah’s enemies are still trying to intimidate him. Inside the walls, however, there is much going on. Undeterred by opposition, Nehemiah gets the musicians and Levites ready to worship and teach (1). He works out his strategy, drawing upon the strength of families, and appoints two leaders (2). Firstly his brother, the one who brought the news which spurred on his prayers for his people (1:4–10). But he does not let family loyalty blind him to the attributes of others. He is scrupulously fair and appoints Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, for his integrity and immense godliness. Next he recommends that city residents are appointed to guard near their homes (3). Thus they are also responsible for guarding their own family. This strategy not only provided individual protection, but it also strengthened the bonds between families as they worked together.
Apply
Take a purposeful step in building new family connections or reinforcing those that are strong.
Closing prayer
Lord, give Your church leaders like Nehemiah, who lead with integrity, wisdom and passion.
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