It might be supposed, that with the walls completed, the city of Jerusalem would have been repopulated. Nevertheless, as we observed earlier, “the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded” (Neh. 7:4). It is interesting to note, that when taken captive, Judah sang, “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning” (Psa. 137:5). With the city itself still largely in ruins, there seems to have been little interest on the part of the general population to dwell within its precincts. However, having humbled themselves before Jehovah their God, and having been exercised by the Word of God, there seems to have been a change of heart. Although they were chosen by lot — ten percent of the population in all (Neh. 11:1) — rather than being a burden to those selected, there appears to have been a willingness to dwell in Jerusalem. “The people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem” (Neh. 11:2). It was, no doubt, quite a sacrifice to leave their fields and flocks, and perhaps, their ancestral villages, to dwell in Jerusalem. The cost, however, to these individuals and families seems to have paled in comparison to the blessing associated with dwelling in that “holy city” (Neh. 11:1).
Some have felt that those that went because of the lot, and those that went willingly, were two different groups. Perhaps this was so. It is a sad thing indeed, however, to think that some, who had been chosen for that privilege, may have taken their place reluctantly. Sadly, there are those that reluctantly accept their position in the assembly because it has been their lot in life — perhaps because of family ties. Unless the blessedness of the position is recognized — not because of who they are nor because they are with their brethren, but because they are gathered to the Lord’s name — their attitude and demeanor can be a serious drain on the assembly. Please note once again, it is not a question of whom we are gathered with, but rather whom we are gathered unto. Those gathered unto the Lord’s name are inconsequential, but surely there is blessing in being in the presence of the Lord.
The families of Judah and Benjamin that dwelt at Jerusalem are given, followed by the priests and the Levites. Those who dwelt in that holy city could establish their genealogy; without that, as we have spoken before, they had no right to be there.