King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, September 29, 2025
Chapters: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126
Message: Nehemiah: Dedication of The Wall
Hello My Friend,
As we come to the end of the reading of Nehemiah we learn the importance of being unyoked with unbelievers, [2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.].
We also learn that while many people do follow God, there is only a remnant willing to take on the challenge of serving Him in His ministry, [Matthew 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.]
The death of Charlie Kirk did something that has been lacking across the world for decades, it brought a revival in the Church, but it also brought something else, an eyeopening that not all churches are of Christ. I heard one person say that she went into a reformed Pentecostal church that had a gay woman as a pastor and promoted every kind of sin you could think of. That left her wondering what the point of following Christ was all about. Well, there is a reason why churches are slowly dying a painful death, and I am talking about the true Church. Jesus, said it this way, [Mark 7:6-7 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.]
Jesus, did not give His life on the cross so that we could be justified for committing every sin there is, He gave it to keep those who are sincere in their faith in Him from facing eternal damnation. There are way too many congregations “playing church” rather than living their lives through Christ and it is for one of two reasons. One; they rather enjoy their season of sin that follow Him completely. And two; they fear what will happen to them if word got out that they are Christians. You see, many Christians are so busy serving their own needs or living in fear of the world that they stopped serving God, or even worse, going to church all together. It is time for true saved, born again Christians to come out of hiding, and start serving God as He purposed them for.
[Psalms 126:1-6 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.]
My goodness, is it not the truth that through tears we find joy? As much as I fail God, He truly is faithful and just, and full of mercy and grace. This Psalm is a reminder that we were all once lost souls, held captive to sin. It was Jesus who found us and set us free by His precious blood the second we accepted Him as our Saviour. He is our testimony, while we may sow many tears, will enter into the joy of the LORD, [Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.]
Nehemiah, was pretty confident that he could go back to Babylon at the time he had given the king. The temple was built and secure, the walls were up around the city of Jerusalem, the Law was read, oaths were taken, and temple services were restored. There was just one more thing to do before he left and that was to was employ people to do the work outside of the temple. The rulers already agreed to stay within the walls to take care of the city, but as for the rest, they literally got their names drew out of a hat so to speak.
[Nehemiah 11:1-4,10 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. 2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants. 4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.]
As you can see, not many were willing to help maintain the city of Jerusalem, but they had not problem blessing the efforts of those who did. Only one in ten laymen were chosen to stay in Jerusalem to help maintain the city while the rest were content to remain outside and take care of their own homes and businesses. Now, that would have been fine as long as they were doing their part in giving tithes and offerings so that the work could be done properly. That is actually what tithes and offerings are for, [2 Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:]
Here was the problem, there were even Levites and priests unwilling to dwell in Jerusalem, but there were quite a few of the common people willing to reside within the walls and help out. And for the first time, we learn of not just Levites, but those of Judah and Benjamin coming together to help.
[Nehemiah 11:20-22,25,31,36 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof, 31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages, 36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.]
There are those who serve God in the Church and then there are those who serve Him out in the cities, such as Evangelists and public speakers, but still represent the Church. Serving God is not just about being a part of His ministry, it also living in obedience to Him while living normal lives. However, if one is not fully embracing their walk with Christ then there is going to be a lot of pain and suffering because their lack of obedience. Now, there is several reasons why a saved, born again Christian does fully embrace their walk with Christ, they are either ignorant to the Holy Spirit calling them, have no desire to serve Him, are afraid of what the world would do to them, or have unrepentant sin. Now, after the laymen were chosen, the priests and Levites were chosen.
[Nehemiah 12:1,7-8,24,26 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. 8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. 24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. 26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.]
Instead of waiting for someone to take he lead in thanking God for all that He has done for us and His mercies, we ought to be the ones taking the lead in that. The reminders of God’s goodness and all His provisions and protections needs to be proclaimed, and lived out, and we ought never be ashamed to call ourselves Christians, [2 Timothy 1:7-9 For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,]
Do you see that? We are here for God’s purpose. Christ, has set us free from the depths of hell so we are not to be just sitting on the sidelines waiting for the trumpet call, we are to be signing up more recruits, [Matthew 10:16-19 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.]
Do you see the importance of living and proclaiming God, whether we are called to serve God in His ministry or just being faithful to Him? It is not to save our own soul, it is to lead others to Him. Now, as the people took their places, a dedication took place of the walls being built only to discover that there were some Levites who were unaccounted for. Nehemiah, and Ezra searched outside he walls to find them.
[Nehemiah 12:27-30 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; 29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.]
There is a sad turn of events going around in many true Christian churches, pastors and teachers are quitting their ministries or even worse, allowing sinful practices in their congregations. Those who profess Christ ought to be living their lives as preservers of the Gospel, and that means in a way that leads others to Christ. That does not mean that they do not have fears and doubts, or get weary, but it does mean that they never waver in their faith. Now, Nehemiah went to the people and encouraged them to return to Jerusalem and serve where needed.
[Nehemiah 12:40-41,43-44 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 43 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. 44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.]
The Levites and those of Judah and Benjamin began worshiping God with great joy, they were so loud that they could be heard for miles because they were so moved that the work of the temple resumed. Can you imagine a revival for God so big that it can be heard for miles? It is not impossible for our once God ruled nations to turn themselves around. Jesus, just needs willing vessels to stand up and stick their necks out for the greater cause, [1 Peter 4:14-16 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.]
When we are saved and seeing the blessings that come as we dedicate our lives to Christ we want to let everyone know about it, we want to shout and sing praises to His name all the time, not just in the public eye, but in the private eye as well. In doing so we not only prove that Christ works miracles in us, but keep ourselves out of trouble. I can account to the fact that if you do not keep yourself active and grounded in the Church you will fall and you will quick, and never think that it could not happen to you. We learn this as Nehemiah went back home to Babylon after a whopping twelve years getting everything in order in Judah. It did not take long before they began neglecting their duties, allowing those who were forbidden in the temple, including the spiritual leaders and temple workers to live among them and marrying heathens.
[Nehemiah 13:1-3,6 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:]
Remember, there is no actual book of Moses, the first five books of the Bible were simply called the Law of Moses or the Law because it was God who inspired him to write it, [Exodus 3:10-12 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. 11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.]
The Ammonites and Moabites were the incestuous descendants of Lot, they worshiped idols and sacrificed their own children to them, but what made God so angry with them was when the Ammonites refused to let the Israelites pass through their area when they were headed to the promise land, [Numbers 21:23-24 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. 24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.]
Then the Moabites hired Balaam to put a curse on them, [Numbers 22:2-3,6 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.].
Adding insult to injury, Eliashib, not only became friends with these people, he also allowed them to live on temple grounds and on top of that, the people were not honoring their oath to give tithes and offerings. And now Nehemiah addresses all of these issues, [Nehemiah 13:10-13 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.]
The Book of Malachi comes after this and explains it further, but what was happening was that they were not bringing in tithes and offerings. As a result, temple duties were neglected because the Levites had to get secular jobs to make a living, which also led them to bringing the world into the temple. The Church itself is in need of a serious revival, one that not only gets the congregation excited about Jesus, but obeying Him as well. And that is exactly what Nehemiah did.
[Nehemiah 13:17-21 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.]
This reminds me of what Jesus did when He saw people doing the same thing, [Matthew 21:12-14 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.]
Do you see who believed? It was the ones who had no reason to believe. Remember, we are to be a presence in the world not of them. We can be among them and still live separated from them, and we are to never bring the world into to church. This is basically what Nehemiah was telling them. Oh, and he was angry, and lined them all up, rebuking them, then removed anyone who did not worship God correctly from the congregation.
[Nehemiah 13:23-27 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. 25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?]
The people we read about from the Bible as well as those we come to know who have gone through similar experiences set the example for us, those who were obedient teach us the value of living our lives through Christ while the disobedient teach us to get a hold of ourselves, [1 Corinthians 10:6,9,12-13 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for my salvation, I know there is nothing I can do apart from receiving Your Son as my Saviour to merit eternal life. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me Your power to serve You faithfully, keep my heart tender and willing to serve You wherever you lead me. Give me Your strength to separate myself from the world and let me not be tempted by its visage of evil. Keep me in Your Word and walking with You daily so I do not fall into temptation. And iIf there is anything that I am doing that hinders You, purge it. Let me always be a faithful witness that seasons the world with Your Son through me me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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