Leaders Build

Read Nehemiah 7:1-73a, 11-12:26
 
Nehemiah 12:12-14 Now when Joiakim was high priest, the family leaders of the priests were as follows: Meraiah was leader of the family of Seraiah. Hananiah was leader of the family of Jeremiah. 13 Meshullam was leader of the family of Ezra. Jehohanan was leader of the family of Amariah. 14 Jonathan was leader of the family of Malluch. Jose h was leader of the family of Shecaniah.  
 
THE first generation of the Jews who returned to Judah expanded into succeeding generations. The numbers you read in chapter 7 help us know that God’s physical and spiritual kingdoms were being reestablished in Jerusalem and throughout Judea. Chapter 12 illustrates more specifically the order of priesthood was determined through family lineage. This was necessary to strengthen the teaching and administration of God’s Word. God’s law commanded the Levites to lead Israel with the Word of God. Men needed evidence they were descended from the Levite tribe if they desired to be a priest or a teacher. Nehemiah wrote the names of the leaders who first returned with Zerubbabel. Then he listed the generations from Jeshua, the first priest, to Joiakim and generations to follow. Nehemiah was not only rebuilding Jerusalem, he was rebuilding the structures to teach the law. Nehemiah was a leader, and Judah needed leaders to continue God’s rebuilding work.
   Leadership is an essential theme in Nehemiah. Note that “leader” is used 24 times in these Scriptures to highlight this essential role. Leaders were needed to build walls, to guard the city gates, to enforce Sabbath laws, to lead choirs and to offer sacrifices. The Festivals required leaders to organize and direct daily sacrifices and celebrations. Leaders had to organize the crop production and distribution. And leaders needed to help repopulate Jerusalem as they sought volunteers to settle in the city. All aspects of God’s physical and spiritual kingdoms required true leaders.
   Note, then, that this leadership began at home. The Scriptures repeats this phrase: (name) was the leader of the family.  This has not changed since God first commanded such leadership in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
   God-centered fatherhood means God-empowered leadership to point your children to Jesus Christ. Leaders tell the laws. They live the laws. Leaders tell of God’s grace. They live the grace. Leaders reveal God’s faithfulness, and they live faithfully for their families, communities and church to see God at work.
   We all know building anything requires someone to know the building rules, design and purpose. Know God’s kingdom-building rules. Understand his salvation design. Purposefully lead people through God’s Love Story to the LORD God, who is One in Father, Son and Spirit.