The wall was complete, and provision made for securing it against the enemy; now we read that “the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.” It was a testimony of failure, for how few had heeded the gracious call of God through Nehemiah. So we have a fresh work of grace on the part of God who put it into the heart of Nehemiah to gather the people together that they might be reckoned according to genealogy. This was to prove if all those within the walls, as well as those who might seek to enter, were of Israel, for only true descendants of Abraham had a right to the promises. Nehemiah says he found a register of those who had come up from Babylon almost 100 years before. This list we get in Ezra 2 and it is repeated in our chapter. The whole congregation numbered 42,360, besides 7337 servants, and 245 singing men and women.
Nehemiah found among the priests some who could not prove their claims therefore he told them they could not serve as priests or eat of the most holy things until there stood up a priest with Urim. and Thummim. The name signiales “lights” and “perfections” and they seem to have formed part of the high priest’s garment. By them he received answers from the Lord. However, they were not returned when they came back from Babylon, and this great privilege has never yet been restored. But when Israel is brought back in the coming day, Christ Himself will take the place of the Urim. and Thummim of old.
In the rest of the chapter we read of the gifts that some, including Nehemiah, gave to the work of the Lord, and then we have the people placed in their own cities.
In chapter 8 we see the authority of the Word of God established. It is only when we are in a right position before Him that His Word can have its fun place. It was the first day of the seventh month, when according to the books of Exodus and Numbers, they were to celebrate the feast of trumpets, with a holy assembly and offering of sacrifices. Also they were to do no servile work. It was a figure of Israel’s restoration in the last days.
It is here that Ezra is mentioned for the first time in this book. He had arrived in Jerusalem in 468 B.C. and Nehemiah came in 455 B.C. Each had a special exercise before the Lord about a different condition of the people, Ezra’s great concern had been that the captives who had returned from Babylon should be taught the law of God. We remember that he had prepared his own heart to know the law and to do it, and though he is lost sight of while Nehemiah is leading the people in rebuilding the wall, no doubt he had been going quietly on with his work. As another has remarked, Happy is the servant who, thinking nothing of himself, can retire when he is not needed, and come forth when once again desired, willing to be anything or nothing. known or unknown, if he can but serve the Lord’s beloved people.
ML 09/06/1959