Establishing The Rules

by John D. Terrell, Carlisle, England | Category: Leadership In Remnant Times | Sept 1993

A disturbing feature of some Christian activity today is the precedence which is given to experience, often at the expense of instruction in Bible doctrine:

not that healthy spiritual experience, which answers to the Word, Is to be at all disDaraQed.

Nehemiab and his fellow leaders in the remnant days we are considering appreciated the importance of the high points of spiritual experience as they affected the emQtions of the people (8:9-12). But this was very closely linked to precise instruction in the law of God - indeed it flowed Out of that instruction. And so wise leaders together clearly determined priorities, and established the rules and guidelines which alone would maintain God's people on their chosen path of spiritual renewal.

Nehemiah chapters 1 to 6 have been described as "re-construction"; and chapters 7 to 13 as "reinstruction". Certainly the main text of the first six chapters concerns the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. This look place under the direction of one or two outstanding men, notably of course, Nehemiah himself. From cha~ ter seven onwards more prominence is given to the gathering of leaders of the people, such as "the heads of fathers' houses", and the appointment of individuals, such as Hanani and Hannaniah (7:2) to key responsibilities. Few writers on Nehemiah have failed to see some parallel between his life-

work and that of Paul the apostle in New Testament times. "A chosen vessel" was Saul of Tarsus, "to bear My Name" (Acts 9:15). The requirements of the place of God's Name, the house of God, its "wall" of doctrinal teaching, ,aiid its leadership, burdened Paul.'The other aposfies who, in the main, remained in Jerusalem, had of course their part to play in building up an elderhood for united leadership.

Leaders Together

In Nehemiah 7 verse 5 it is recorded, "Ahd my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people". The order here is significani Nehemiah had a keen sense of leadership, as had the apostles Paul and Peter in their day. To the elders of the church in Ephesus Paul appealed, "Take heed unto yourselves and to all the flock in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops" (overseers, Acts 20:28 RYM). His fellow apostle Peter gave his exhortation, "Tend the flock of God which is among you" (1 PeL 5:2). These apostolic shepherds provided both warm encouragement and clearly defmed instruction in the doctrine of

the Lord and His uncompromising requirements of obedience.

So Nehemiah brought the leaders together before the people, so that the latter could see the men who were to instruct and guide them, and together they could take forward the work of the Lord which Nehemiali had so valiantly established. The message is unmistakable, first for the leaders of God's people today, once again remnant times; and also for all God's people. The presentation here of visible leaders, strong in pastoral and teaching commitment, and consistent in example, issues a solemn challenge to elders today. Their care is for "the flock of God which is among you" (1 Pet. 5:2).

Wise leaders together clearly determine priorities, and esta~ lish the mies and guidelines which alone would maintain God's people on their chosen path of spiritual renewal.

The Law and the Feast

The eighth chapter of Nehemiah indicates clearly the foundations of the rules of life and service which he and his fellow leaders were to establish. The main reference points were "the hook of the law of Moses" (v.1), and, "the feast of the seventh month" (v.14). The narrative of the reading "before the broad place that was before the water gate ... in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand" (v.3) is

an outstanding epic of Old Testament history. Who would not wish for a flash-back to Ezra on "his pulpit of wood", blessing "the LORD, the great God"; and the full throated response of the people, "Amen, amen, with the lifting up of their hands". "And they read in the hook of the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading". Grace and wisdom, Lord, please, for leaders of God's people today to be intelligible in their instruction.

In spite of "mourn not, nor weep", "all the people wept" (v.9), but their mourning and tears were of the healthful kind the Master spoke of, "Blessed are those that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Mat. 5:4). And comforted they were: "Go your way and eat the fat, and drink the sweet... for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (v.10). These immortal words offered the people the first and central rule of life for the service of God. May we unfailingly return to such a precious sentiment, and do so often. The reading continued "day by day from the first day unto the last day" of the feast of tabernacles (v.18).

A brief word here about the significance of the feast of tabernacles in the laying down of God's requirements for His people. Its restoration had been a prominent feature also in Ezra's record of the early remnant return under Joshua and Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:4). This feast of Jehovah (Lev.

23:33-36; 39-44) reminded God's people that "I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I

brought them out of the land of Egypt" (Lev. 23:43) It is a feast associated with the thought of God dwelling among His pilgrim people, and one of its important features was "a solemn assembly" on the eighth day. This final convocation can be seen as pointing to a new beginning; something of a "first day of the week" promise. It was on this day that the Lord stood and cried, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink" (John 7:37), pointing to His glorification, and the giving of the Holy Spirit, with all that would flow ftom that in the service of a spiritual house.

So the people in Nehemiah's day were re-established in "the book of the law", and in dwelling as a people with their God in their midst. The message for our own day seems very evideni

Principles and Rules

"The joy of the Lord" is a rule of life and strength for the disciple of the Lord which remains unsurpassed in importance, if often sadly neglected in practice. Problems and temptations would threaten to overwhelm God's people in Nehemiah' 5 day, as they do today. Aware of similar hazards, Paul wrote to the Philippians:

Rejoice in the Lord alway: again I will say, rejoice ... In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ

Jesus (PhiL 4:4-7).

This settled peace and joy is a divine enabling to keep His commandments in His service.

We can only touch briefly on some of the key rules which Nehemiab and his fellows placed before the people. It was only by the sacred combination of consistent example, and clear precept that the full-hearted response of the people was secured, such as we saw in chapter 8 verses 9-12. It will ever be so.

The Lord's requirements of His people emerge in chapter 9 onwards, flowing out of the reading of the law, and emb~cing confession, service, sacrifice, separation and praise and worship. While "the joy of the Lord" had been established as a spiritual foundation, the systematic application of the Word soon led to fasting and sackcloth. The joy was not taken away at the deep heart level where it had its work, but action was called for in contrition and repentance (9:1,2). A resolute cohort of leaders "stood upon the stairs" (vA), continued their reading, and called upon the people to, "Stand up and bless the LORD your God ftom everlasting to everlasting:

and blessed be Thy glorious Name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise" (v.5). Then came a confessional recital of the nation's history, with all its disobedience and failure (v.35).

"Behold, we are servants this day for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it... and... seal unto it,' (vv. 36, 38). "Now those that

sealed were ...", and there follows a lisi of noble names. Remember Paul's words to the Philippians, "my fellow workers, whose names are in the hook of life" (Phil. 4:3).

Chapter 10, verses 28 and 29 show "the rest of the people... and all that had separated themselves from the peoples of the land unto the law of God . . they dave to their brethren, their nobles and entered into ... an oath to walk in God's law". They confirmed separation from the people of the land; restored the sanctity of the sabbath; committed themselves fmancially "for the service of the house of our God"; and pledged the firstfruits of their ground (vv. 30-35).

When we come to chapter 12, we find the establishment of a cardinal law of life of the people of God PRAISE. The record of the tw~ company procession of praise is fullhearted and enthusiastic. "And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced" (v.43).

Fill Thou my life, 0 Lord my God, In every part with praise.

"And on that day were men appointed" (v.44). Hear Paul to Titus (1:5): "appoint elders in every city", men who were to hold "to the faithful word which is according to the teachjngw (v.9). And to Timothy, "that thou mayest lcnow how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God" (1 Tim. 3:15); and, "the things

which thou hast heard from me

commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). God's ways and purposes for the leaders and the led do not change in principle.

Call to Vigilance

The last chapter of Nehemiah is a sad and salutary one. Unruistakable apprehension comes through Paul's urgent exhortation to Timothy and Titus. "Evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse ... but abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of' (2 Tim. 3:13,14). So when Nehemiab's back was turned, leaders regressed in their diligent application of the Word. The wall of separation was crumbling already. Nehemiah's question was heavy with sorrow and disappointment, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" (v.11). So again a strong individual had to assert himself in defence of divine principles and laws, with the support of some who "were counted faithful" (v.13).

The people of God in churches of God today can readily compare themselves to a remnant; they do not lack scriptural encouragement and warning from Nehemiah's day. By the grace of God, may the leaders take the lead, and the people offer themselves willingly ( Judg. 5:2) till the Master comes.

John D. Terrell, Carlisle, England | Sept 1993
Leadership In Remnant Times