Nehemiah 7:1-73

The Joy of the Lord

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Chapter's 7 & 8 begin the "second phase" in the book of Nehemiah.

1. This "second phase" is the re-instruction of God's people - of the laws of Moses.

2. The walls are complete, Nehemiah fades temporarily as the main character, and a scribe by the name of Ezra steps in.

a) Ezra had returned to Jerusalem some 13 years before Nehemiah.

b) He had been along side Nehemiah during the re-construction.

(1) He had been part of the victory!

c) Ezra and Nehemiah were aware of the fact that victory can give us a false sense of self-importance and security.

(1) Remember in the book of Joshua, the people had such a stunning success at Jericho, that they forgot to pray when they got to Ai and lost the battle!

d) When the "walls" are built there is a tendency to relax!

(1) Notice how Nehemiah prepared for this!

e) Nehemiah 7:3 (NKJV) And I said to them, "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand [guard], let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house."

f) He made provision for the opening and closing of the gates and set guidelines for whom had watch duty!

g) In other words when the walls were completed the people didn't simply "relax" with a job well done, they made provision for counter-attack because they knew their enemy!

(1) They knew attack would come!

B. Notice whom Nehemiah put in charge of the city!

1. Nehemiah 7:1-2 (NKJV) Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,

2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he [was] a faithful man and feared God more than many.

a) Please notice that Hanani and Hananiah were men he could trust!

(1) He lists their main quality as "faithful."

(a) 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

(b) It is the same today:

(i) If you want to be used by the Lord in your home, or at work, in your community or at your church - you must be found faithful!

2. Nehemiah has made practical provision for counter-attack, now it is time for spiritual provision.

a) Lets take a look at how that was done and the result of it!