Nehemiah 11:1-9
Who Will Live in Jerusalem
Read the passage
1Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.
2And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
3These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—
4while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) From the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez;
5and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah.
6The descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of valor.
7From the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah;
8and his followers Gabbai and Sallai—928 men.
9Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the Second District of the city.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jerusalem's wall is complete, but the restored capital needs people to inhabit it. The leaders take up residence, and the wider community uses lots to decide which families will move from their towns. Those who volunteer receive the community's blessing.
And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
The decision is not described as a reward for the most important people. It is a shared responsibility, and the volunteers receive blessing from the community. The city needs residents as well as walls. The record goes on to name descendants of Judah and Benjamin who settle there, with officers responsible for them. Their presence gives ordinary daily life to the holy city. Meanwhile nine out of ten remain in their towns; living outside Jerusalem is also part of this arrangement.
Questions
1 Who settled in Jerusalem first?
AnswerThe leaders lived in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live there. The restored capital needed residents as well as walls.
2 How many of the rest were chosen to live there?
AnswerOne out of every ten people was chosen by lot to live in Jerusalem, while the other nine remained in their towns. Some also volunteered to live in the city.
3 Where did the remaining people live?
AnswerThe remaining nine out of ten lived in their own towns. The passage describes people living on their own property in the villages of Judah.
4 How did the people respond to the volunteers?
AnswerThe people blessed those who willingly offered themselves to live in Jerusalem. Their willingness was recognized as a service to the restored community.
What This Means for Us
Healthy communities need both stability and people willing to relocate, sacrifice, or take a less convenient assignment. Honor volunteers instead of assuming their availability, and ask what presence your community needs from you.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for people who volunteer for costly responsibilities. Give us generosity toward them and wisdom to know where our presence is needed. Amen.