Nehemiah 7:4

Now, the city was large and great, but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded, that is, its area was very great in proportion to its population, which explains the necessity of the measures adopted by Nehemiah before returning to Shushan, as he had promised the Persian king, Nehemiah 2:6. Nehemiah took every precaution to insure the safety of the city during his absence. The Church of Christ is also the city of God and His holy habitation. The ministers of the Church therefore must be diligent in their office as watchmen and defenders of Zion, lest the enemies take advantage of some oversight in its defense.